Journal Entry For October 2 - October 8, 2005

Missoula, Montana Weather Conditions: Low 60s, partly cloudy (we've had rain, but mostly on the weekends)

4th Grade Distance Completed This Week: 75½ miles

4th Graders' Location and Total Distance: 21½ miles from Touchet, Washington (Highway 730) [Trek Total: 306½ miles]

5th Grade Distance Completed This Week: 61 miles

5th Graders' Location and Total Distance: 26 miles from Touchet, Washington (Highway 730) [Trek Total: 302 miles]

Quote To Think About: "Good things come slow - especially in distance running." (Bill Dellinger, Olympian and Coach)

This journal entry was written October 8. The students had their last full week of running/walking along the Columbia River and ended the week by starting on a northeasterly course toward the Idaho border. They are currently on Highway 730 and are one more run/walk away from getting on Highway 12, which they will follow to Idaho. Next week they will pass through Walla Walla, Washington (elevation 939 ft.), with a population of 30,000.

This week the students ran though a rather desolate portion of Washington, encountering only a few small towns. They began the week in Roosevelt, Washington and passed through the towns of Paterson, Plymouth, and Umatilla. They ended the week over 20 miles from the nearest town. Their course took them through the 25,347-acre Umatilla National Wildlife Refuge (just before Paterson, Washington). This refuge was established in 1969 for wildlife habitat lost to flooding caused by the construction of the John Day Lock and Dam - which is 50 miles west of the refuge.

The students also had a wonderful view of the McNary Dam. The dam is 7,265 feet long and 183 feet high, on the Columbia River between Oregon and Washington. It was built between 1947 and 1956 by the U.S. Corps of Engineers. You can click here to view an overview picture of McNary Dam. Just east of the McNary Dam the students passed by Lake Wallula.

This week the students received a wonderful and thoughtful gift from Mrs. Heidi Lindner, a 5th Grade Teacher at Beaver Acres Elementary, located in Beaverton, Oregon. Mrs. Lindner traveled to the starting point of this virtual trek (Cannon Beach, Oregon) and send salt water taffy for both the 4th and 5th grade classes, a postcard from Cannon Beach, and she included a small bag of sand from Cannon Beach! The kids were absolutely thrilled and we are so appreciative for Mrs. Lindner's gift and encouragement. Such demonstrations of support truly motivate the children and we hope that others will find creative ways to encourage them. Although we have not yet received many postcards from people located in the states included on our route, we're hopeful that more students, teachers, coaches and others will take a brief moment to either send a postcard or words of encouragement.

PHOTO ALERT! To view a picture of one of the 5th grade classes with the nice things that Mrs. Lindner sent from Oregon, please scroll to the bottom of this page!!

I loved the article on the Russell kids. I didn’t know they were doing that; it is pretty awesome. I checked out the web site and I am very impressed. What an awesome idea!

Brynn Molloy
Sister of Russell Kindergarten Teacher, Jenny Molloy
Missoula, Montana
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Hey fourth and fifth grades! I know we can make it to the finish line!  I have been running with my dad and I know he can run across America. So we have to RUN! We will be so excited when we complete our trek... and just think about the nice plane ride from Delaware back to Missoula!  I like running with my class because they are so motivated! Let's stay motivated!!!!!!!

Ashlin
5th Grade Participating Student
Missoula, Montana
_________________________________________________________________________________________

This is so exciting you guys! I hope all of you are having fun with this project. I am so impressed with your efforts and I wish you the very best on your journey. Just focus on one step at a time and you will be there before you know it! Smile! Run! & HAVE FUN!

Kelley Durbin
Owner/Coach - Mismo Gymnastics and Cheer
Missoula, Montana
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Way to go kids, good luck in your travels across America. I will be looking forward to you running through Minnesota! Good Luck!

Bart Hanson
Rochester, Minnesota
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Go 4th Grade. Go, Go, Go, Go - we can do it! 4th grade were doing great. Keep up the good work. We can beat the 5th graders. Let's Go! We can do it!

Tamara
4th Grade Participating Student
Missoula, Montana
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Hey 5th! keep it up! We gotta catch those 4th graders. I know we will make it across America, even if they beat us there! (though we all hope not!!!!)

Joree
5th Grade Participating Student
Missoula, Montana
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Great job guys! We are already in Washington!! I hope we make it to the end! I bet we will!!

Savannah
4th Grade Participating Student
Missoula, Montana

Click Here To Return To The Main Journal Menu

The Following Web Sites May Be Of Interest To You:

KidsHealth.org | PaceRun.com | PElinks4u.org