Made it safely to the good ole' US of A yesterday and I am happy to report that it was a pretty uneventful night of traveling. It's never fun to "sleep" on an airplane but I survived and was warmly welcomed back. Today is a day of rest and adjustment for me which I greatly needed but tomorrow officially starts the whirl of activities of furlough. What better way to kick of my time in the US than a 4th of July party in the Capital of our country. I am looking forward to a great fireworks show over the national monuments with old friends and new. And I gotta say, I am enjoying this heat. It is a welcome change from rain and cold.

Happy 4th to you all!