-----Original Message-----

From: Dan Burke

Sent: Tuesday, June 29, 2004 9:00 PM

To: Dan Burke

Subject: Home Sweet Home!

I love my freedoms. God bless America.

It's hard to put in words how I feel about my return.

So much joy in the simple things. The variety. The

language. The familiarity. The many connections I have

here and value so much. You.

I hit NYC with a smile as wide as the Golden Gate

thinking only of home. I threw around NY attitude with

a laugh on my layover, bought Starbuck's because I

could, and chatted all the way home with a senior

woman who gave me a rainbow peace button for my shirt.

Only in America.

Now back, I have begun a different trip. I have spent

time in SF, Santa Cruz, and now Marin County. I'm off

to San Luis Obispo on Friday for a slower pace,

perhaps to think about it all, to digest it all. Hard

to think one ever could digest a trip like that, or a

life like this...

Not sure what the next step will be. I have some money

in the bank, and my 740iL up for sale. I think I'll

follow the wise words of Alan Watts. For years I have

been waiting for the courage, now I feel I just might

be brave enough to float in the wisdom of insecurity.

But the beds are hard, I find. And the constant

packing a burden. But today I am healthy, my family is

healthy and safe. My friends are growing wiser and

warmer in these years... what else could be better?

Nothing.

I give thanks for all these things tonight, home at

last. I thank you for reading my explorations, for

helping me digest this part of my life. Thank you for

your words of encouragement while on the road. Believe

it or not, it gave me great strength to push through

rough roads, and made me sore when all lights were lit

and burning.

There are over 150 of you on this list from all over

the world. Where ever you are, I hope you are safe and

happy. Please keep in touch and enjoy the life you

live. Enjoy your freedoms, and remember how lucky you

are, how lucky we all are to be alive and well in

America.

Love from the American road,

Dan Burke