Proud Dad Alert! -- My Youngest Son Graduated From High School

Last week, I had the joy of traveling to Montana with my fiancé, Kelley, to see my youngest child, Brian, graduate from high school. His graduation was held in the Adams Center on the University of Montana campus -- because it can accommodate the large audience for the 300 graduates. In fact, it was nearly 30 years ago that I graduated from the University of Montana in the same room that Brian's high school ceremony was held. As I sat there watching the graduation, I couldn't help but to have my eyes well up as I thought about the 25-year road of fatherhood that I've been blessed with so far. I now have four adult children and am so proud of each of them.

It was Kelley's first trip to Montana and she really enjoyed seeing my children and experiencing a little time in the mountains. Montana is the fourth largest state in the USA and the population is slightly over one million people. There are actually more cows in Montana than people! The number one industry in Montana is agriculture, and livestock makes up approximately two-thirds of the agriculture industry. Of the livestock portion, cattle make up the largest fraction. In fact, there are 2.6 million head of beef cattle in Montana.

Prior to relocating to Indiana several years ago, I resided in Missoula, Montana, for 30 years -- first showing up in "Big Sky Country" in January 1984 to attend the University of Montana at the age of 18. Back then, the town was much smaller and less bustling as it is today. Just in the few years that I've been away from Montana, I returned to find many new commercial construction projects underway, bumper to bumper traffic, and less of a 'laid back feeling' and more of an 'on the run' feeling. Missoula has been named everything from one of the most livable cities in America, to one of the worst-designed cities in the world. In 2015, Missoula was named the most "fitness-friendly city" in the United States.

As beautiful as Montana is, from the clear rivers and lakes to the snow-capped mountains, it is also a state that has its fair share of health concerns. According to Montana public health statistics, of the one million people that call it home, 15 percent live in poverty, 10 percent have diabetes, and 24 percent of adults are considered obese. Hypertension affects 29 percent of Montanans and 19 percent use tobacco. Nearly 20 percent of Montana residents do not have health insurance and approximately 21,000 are unemployed. Also, 14 percent of Montana high schoolers do not graduate. I'm proud that my son, Brian, is one of the 86 percent of Montana young people who graduated from high school this year.

Montana is a state that spans over 145,000 square miles and during the 30 years that I lived there I saw a lot of that state -- particularly when I ran solo across it both ways (2006 and 2008)! It is a state of beauty, but also a state that has some ongoing health and economic concerns. It was wonderful to return to Montana in order to see my son graduate and now it is time for him to blaze his path in life. As always, I look forward to seeing all that he will accomplish.

From Him, Through Him, For Him (Romans 11:36),

Paul J. Staso

_______________________________________

Visit my YouTube channel -- https://www.youtube.com/user/pacetrek

Click on any of the links below to see some of my adventure photos:

• United States in 2006 (3,260 miles solo in 108 days at age 41)
• Montana in 2008 (620 miles solo in 20 days at age 43)
• Alaska in 2009 (500 miles solo in 18 days at age 44)
• Germany in 2010 (500 miles solo in 21 days at age 45)
• The Mojave Desert in 2011 (506 miles solo in 17 days at age 46)
• Various Photos From Mileposts Gone By
• Students Worldwide Who Ran With Me Virtually
• Roadside Sights From My Running Adventures
• Some Cycling Moments From The Past

A Never-Before-Seen Video From My 2006 Solo Run Across America

Today I'm sharing a short 15-second video from July 19, 2006 when I was running into Missoula, Montana during my solo run across America. I had run 652 miles by this point (in 3 1/2 weeks) with my 75-pound support stroller and was crossing the first intersection approaching Missoula from the west. This video has never before been shared publicly. I actually just found it on my computer's hard drive and recall well that hot summer day! Click on the video below to play it.

Here's what I wrote in my journal at the end of that particular day in July 2006:

It's not every day that you get to experience one of those moments in life that you know you'll remember forever. Today was one such day for me. I left Lolo, Montana at around 8:00 a.m. to begin running the distance to Missoula (my hometown). Although I've lived in Missoula for 23 years, I thought that Lolo was 10 miles away. However, it's only 8 miles. So, I took off too early and was approaching Missoula long before I was due to arrive at 10:00 a.m. for the "welcome" that was planned. To stall, I decided to stop and call family to talk about the feelings I was having about arriving in my hometown after 652 miles of running over the past 3½ weeks. This lasted about 20 minutes and then I was back on the road. The sun was shining and the morning was warming up quickly, eventually reaching 95 degrees in the afternoon -- long after I was done with my easy morning run. 

As I approached the edge of Missoula a local television car (KPAX TV) approached and Mr. Ian Marquand introduced himself. He began getting some footage as I ran down the road. I had no idea what was planned for my arrival in Missoula and as I reached the first street light I could see friends on the corner and a policeman on a motorcycle who would escort me into town. I stopped and greeted those who had come to encourage me and saw that there was more media there. I followed the policeman for about 3/4 of a mile, seeing friends along the roadway, and upon reaching McDonald Street I saw a wonderful sight! There were several Russell Elementary students on the corner waving signs of welcome and cheering for me. I was truly touched by their support and stopped to talk with them for a few minutes. Then, the escort took the lead and the kids ran with me down McDonald Street to Russell Elementary School where more people, signs and cheering waited for me. There were signs of encouragement along the way, including two wonderful large signs that had been prepared with pictures of me -- one at Cannon Beach, Oregon and one taken on the road Idaho. 

Once I arrived at the school I met several friends and school staff, and took some time to show the kids the details about "BOB"... my three-wheel running companion. I did a couple of television news interviews and talked with a reporter from the local newspaper. It was so nice to be able to see some of the kids that participated in the Run/Walk Across America curriculum. Today was not just about a guy who had completed 652 miles of a 3,200-mile journey. It was also about the kids that put me onto America's highways. Their effort made me lace up my running shoes, put my business on hold, and take off across this amazing country we call "The Land of the Free." I was reminded of just how "free" we are in America when a foreigner approached me several days ago and said, "Only in America could somebody do this." I am indeed fortunate to have this opportunity, and I'm not taking it for granted.

I now have a couple of days off to reflect on the amazing journey I've had so far, and what lies ahead. I will depart from Russell Elementary School in Missoula on Saturday, July 22, at 6:30 a.m. for a 32-mile day. Next Tuesday I will be in Helena, Montana (our state's capital city) and am slated to meet the Lieutenant Governor and Governor on the steps of the Capitol Building at 4:00 p.m. That will be an experience to remember! I'll make certain that "BOB" is looking his best. 

I truly want to thank each and every person who made my entry into Missoula today such a wonderful experience. I will always cherish the memory I have of the smiling, cheering faces of those children... holding up handmade signs and encouraging me. In many ways, my run is their run also. They are in my heart with each step and I hope that my effort is making a bit of an impact in their lives. 

The only thing that would have made today even better would have been for my family to be in Missoula. They are still in California. 

Wow, what a day! I'm going to sleep in my own bed tonight and am glad to be here feeling strong and ready to head into the remaining 2,548 miles of this odyssey. The current 30-mile-per-day pace has me set to arrive on Delaware's coast by mid-October. That would equate to almost 4 months of running. The heat is being persistent and Montana is due to see temperatures climb to the 100 degree mark next week. Currently, this area is in the mid-90s during the day and the fire season is truly getting underway. There are a few forest fires in Montana that are currently being fought and I'm hoping that I won't encounter too much smoke as I cross 610-mile-wide Montana over the next 2½ weeks. 

As always, thanks for checking in and please be looking for new pictures to be posted. I'll be working on those over the next couple of days during my brief time in Missoula. So long from this hometown milepost!

From Him, Through Him, For Him (Romans 11:36),

Paul J. Staso

_______________________________________

Visit my YouTube channel -- https://www.youtube.com/user/pacetrek

Click on any of the links below to see some of my adventure photos:

• United States in 2006 (3,260 miles solo in 108 days at age 41)
• Montana in 2008 (620 miles solo in 20 days at age 43)
• Alaska in 2009 (500 miles solo in 18 days at age 44)
• Germany in 2010 (500 miles solo in 21 days at age 45)
• The Mojave Desert in 2011 (506 miles solo in 17 days at age 46)
• Various Photos From Mileposts Gone By
• Students Worldwide Who Ran With Me Virtually
• Roadside Sights From My Running Adventures
• Some Cycling Moments From The Past