Alix, I remember chatting with you in June, about a month before you left and saying I’d like to go along, but I had this and that and a bunch of reasons I couldn’t go on the road for two months. And those reasons turned into reasons I couldn’t ride even for a couple of states. And then I began to realize that *I* was a classic example of how Americans, despite our rage against this war machine, REMAIN COMPLETELY STILL…We go about our day, afraid to shake up our 9-5 schedule, or call in sick to go to a protest, or even to take care of our sick parent or child. We live in fear everyday-fear of orange alert, layoffs, fear of breastmilk even.

That day I decided to start turning my thinking around: to find ways I COULD come meet you, and reasons I SHOULD take time to work for Peace. I decided to stop letting the urgent get in the way of the important. Your determination drove my determination. I flew out to Seattle in August and in the name of Peace and out of a very pure love for everything about this project, I saw three states and spoke about peace to many many people in the span of those 2 days.

And I had spoken to many before I left, and many since I’ve returned.

I am looking forward to gathering people together for the finish line in Texas, and I’m anxious have my daughter join me in the journey (although she’s been a little peace soldier all along, trying to figure it out in her own 8-year old way) In eleven days, exactly 4 months (to the day)since I first heard of your plan, we will fly from Maine to Virginia and drive to Texas in the name of Peace. Everyday and All along the way, I don’t and won’t stop talking about this project.

Each person who reads this, each person you speak to, those are seeds you plant. We all have the ability to inspire others to JUST THINK ABOUT PEACE. What does it MEAN, what does it LOOK like? Ask important questions…get to know each other. If nothing else ever comes from those conversations, something is accomplished when time is spent in Peace between two people.

“The first peace, which is the most important, is that which comes from within the souls of men when they realize their relationship, their oneness, with the universe and all its powers, and when they realize that at the center of the universe dwells the Sacred, and that this center is really everywhere, it is within each of us. This is the real peace, and the others are but reflections of this. The second peace is that which is made between two individuals, and the third is that which is made between two nations. But above all you should understand that there can never be peace between nations until there is first known that true peace which is within the souls of [people]. - Black Elk

See you in 13 days!! In Peace and with pure Gratitude, Daphne