Day Six: April 15, 2004

From: Mile 173: Shanksville, Pennsylvania

To: Mile 187: Laughlintown, Pennsylvania

Total Distance: 14 miles

Topography: High sloping mountains with deep valleys liked a hump back camel severe mountain uphill climbs followed by extremely dangerous downhill grades. Trucks and cars are warned to remain in lower gears during the duration of their descent.

Weather: Cold and Crisp but finally the SUN HAS BEGUN TO SHINE DOWN UPON US!!!!

Major Landmarks: Indian River Park off route 30-which has become our home while riding in Penn- Lummi Nation Totem, Shanksville: Native American Indian Tribe from Pacific Northwest who hosted PeaceWalkers (including Canadian PeaceRiders Parzvial and Sharon) in 1998 erected a Totem here as a memorial for those who perished in 9/11¹s Flight 93. The Subway just off the junction with PA 601, where a young teenager with a giant orange afro asked, "what¹s a Tibet?" (Pronounced like Hobbit) Our reply: It¹s a Country! He ecstatically exclaimed, "I was Right!"

The Ride:
Start: 2pm

End: 3:30pm reached summit

Total: 1.5 hrs Riders: 13

Casualties: NONE !!!!, Well except for our van, which lost yet another window to some interesting maneuvering in United Church of Christ¹s parking lot! All¹s well as once the glass was swept up and emergency surgery was performed "Release the Panchen Lama, Boycott Chinese Goods, Independence for Tibet, Honk for Tibet, and Free Tenzin Delek Rinpoche Bandages were used to patch up the gashes on her right side. Oh yeah, Tsering Topden was flying down the steep slopes so fast after reaching the top of one of the summits He actually took flight! Stuck in a treeŠCan¹t get down!!! (See picture in gallery)

Update: Sonam Wangdu: Potential ligament damage in knee. Inflammation made it impossible to continue ride. Tomorrow in Ligonier at our Host Horse Ranch, whose proprietor is a doctor, Sonam will get a chance to get his knee checked out. It¹s feeling much better but we are worried that he could do permanent damage if he attempts to ride again.
Status: Indefinite; maintains position on the DL

Standouts: The entire group was able to maintain a collective pace yesterday as they completed the route for the following day. This group has gotten so strong that they are over a day ahead of their scheduled riding.

Rating: Trucking!!! Our itinerary for the most difficult section of the ride here in the Allegheny Mountains was broken into three days with increments of 13, 11, and 7 miles. They nearly completed this all in one day and now have the opportunity for an entire day off, but instead are choosing to ride part of the stretch to Greenburg instead. NO REST FOPR THESE WICKED FREEDOM FIGHTERS!!!!!!

Host Family: The Fellowship at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Ligonier Valley, PA

Meal: A group outing to RUTHIE¹S DINER on Route 30E just shy of the turn off for historic Ligonier turned into one of the most special meals for the PeaceRiders. Ruthie, the owner and proprietor for the past 18 years, had read about the Ride in the Somerset Daily American, and saw the coverage of the prayer ceremony at the Flight 93 Temporary Memorial in Shanksville on the evening news- NBC affiliate WJAC- and chose to assist the movement by providing the ENTIRE MEAL ON THE HOUSE- DESERT TOO in the form of Chocolate Easter Bunny Lollipops. TUJAY CHAY TO RUTHIE!!!!!

Wake Up Time: A unanimous group decision in a late session meeting yielded an early rise to take on the dreaded Laurel Hills Summit (elev 2684ft) and the even sketchier downhill slide of nearly 4 miles to reach Ligonier.

Presentation: As we arrived in Ligonier at the Unitarian Universalist Church a meditation group was gathering for their weekly session. Rabten Jamtso, Jigme Norbu, and several of the Riders joined in the mediation, which was received as a rewarding and inspiring surprise.

Quote of the Day: What¹s a Tibet? (Pronounced like Hobbit) reply: It¹s a Country!!! Reply I was Right!

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