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- - - - DAY 5 - FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2008 - - - -

  Today's Distance: 26 Miles
  Today's Route: Miles City to Hathaway, MT
  Today's Weather: Sunny, Clear Skies, 47 Degrees
  Current Elevation: 2,441 Feet (78' More Than Yesterday)
  Total Distance Traveled: 114 Miles
  Total Distance Remaining: 506 Miles

Paul's Thoughts For Today:

John Bartmess of Eureka, Montana signed my guestbook today and wrote, "It's true about waiting 5 minutes in Montana if you don't like the weather." John is absolutely right! I was hesitant to look out the window this morning when I woke up, fearing to see nearly a half-foot of snow on the ground. However, that wasn't the case at all! I looked out to sunny blue skies and very little snow. The couple of inches that we had received during the evening was far less than what was forecasted. It truly was a good start to the day. I packed up Bob and got on the road about 10:00am - letting the temperatures warm up a bit and allowing time for the morning traffic to thin out a bit on Interstate 94, which I would be traveling on to Hathaway. Gary Huckins was kind enough to drive me to the point where I left off yesterday by the Interstate.

The wide shoulder of the Interstate was wonderful and as I went further from Miles City the snow slowly began to disappear. Before long, I was in mainly brown landscape and the bright sun combined with the clear skies made me wonder if I had dreamed the intense snowstorm of yesterday. But then the soreness of my left foot reminded me of how difficult it was to navigate through the snow, slush and freezing temperatures. The tendon in my left foot was quite sore today and there was some swelling that added to the discomfort. However, I persevered to Hathaway and as I write this I have my foot elevated with an ice bag on it. I didn't have anyone stop me today and the only visitor I had on the edge of the road was a surprise visit by Karen Huckins who brought me a sandwich at the 16-mile mark. It was unexpected and tasted great. Karen then picked me up in Hathaway at the end of my day and transported me to her house in Miles City for one last evening here. Tomorrow evening I will be in a motel in Forsyth.

So, for the next couple of days I'll be moving along with Bob while school children are enjoying a weekend off from their running and walking. Hopefully, on Monday they'll be able to get caught up on the happenings through this web site.

You may notice that some area and other details on this page are duplicated from yesterday. That's due to the adjustments made to the schedule due to my day off the road on April 30. I do want to say thank you to those who have taken the time to sign my guestbook or to send me an e-mail message. I truly appreciate that! Also, as you can tell from the schedule I am two days behind from where I was originally planning to be. So, the schedule shown here is accurate as of today. If any lodging hosts have a conflict with the changed schedule, please let me know as soon as possible via e-mail or phone. Thanks!

I just have to say again how much I have appreciated Gary and Karen Huckins for the past three days. They have allowed Bob and I to invade their home and disrupt their normal schedules and I am so thankful. For those of you who don't know, Karen used to be the librarian at Russell Elementary School in Missoula. Both Karen and her husband have truly helped me to stay on course for the Idaho border.

Some Team Mileage Update Information...
I've been receiving many updates on team mileages and wanted to share some of the recent submissions with you:

Meadow Hill 7th Grade (MT): 202 Miles
Paxson School (MT): 145 Miles
Tunnelton-Denver Elementary (WV): 145 Miles
Pioneer Elementary (CA): 206 Miles
Longfellow School (MT): 136 Miles
Fellowsville Elementary (WV): 296 Miles
State Street School (VT): 131 Miles
Urunga Public School (Australia): 192 Miles
Finger Lake Elementary (AK): 53 Miles
Russell Elementary Green Team (MT): 131 Miles
Russell Elementary Blue Team (MT): 129 Miles
Bonner School (MT): 165 Miles
Eureka Elementary (MT): 41 Miles
Littleville Elementary (MA): 308 Miles
Roosevelt Elementary (MT): 277 Miles
Danish Elementary (TX): 90 Miles
Alamo Eagles Enrichment Program (CA): 170 Miles
St. Ignatius Elementary (MT): 200 Miles
State Street School (VT): 109 Miles
Spruce Street Elementary (NJ): 68 Miles
Sigonella High School (Italy): 55 Miles
Sigonella Middle School (Italy): 95 Miles
Melstone School (MT): 109 Miles
Ryegate School (MT): 107 Miles
Lockwood Primary (MT): 170 Miles
Blue Creek School (MT): 108 Miles
Dalat International School (Malaysia): 45 Miles

Today's Montana "Did You Know?"...
The average square mile of land in Montana contains 1.4 elk, 1.4 pronghorn antelope, and 3.3 deer. Forty-six out of Montana's 56 counties are considered "frontier counties" with an average population of 6 or fewer people per square mile.

Today's Native Americans "Did You Know?"...
Sacagawea was a Shoshone Indian guide and interpreter who assisted the Lewis & Clark Expedition in Montana. She was able to help them find the wilderness trails and passes. A long-running controversy has surrounded the correct spelling, pronunciation, and etymology of the woman's name. Some spellings are: Sacagawea, Sakakawea, and Sacajawea. Her name is derived from Shoshone words meaning "boat puller" or "boat launcher".

Today's Fitness "Did You Know?"...
The National Center for Health Statistics reports that almost one in four children do not participate in any free-time physical activity.

Your Turn! Share Your Thoughts With Paul...
Click here to sign the official P.A.C.E. Trek 2008 guestbook!

Thanks for stopping by this milepost update. Run back here tomorrow!

Keeping on PACE,

Along The Way...

FORT KEOGH LIVESTOCK AND RANGE RESEARCH LABORATORY is a 55,000 acre research facility of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which I ran past today. Specifically, it's an Agriculture Research Service (ARS) rangeland beef cattle research facility. It is 1 of 14 research locations that make up the 8 state Northern Plains Area of ARS. It is operated in cooperation with the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station - the agriculture research component of Montana State University. The mission of Fort Keogh is to research and develop ecologically and economically sustainable range animal management systems that ultimately meet consumers needs.

Paul's Current Position In Montana