Into The Blue Far Distance: Memories and Musing from America's Roads

On April 26,2001, Michael Burns left his home in California. In July, after a journey that took him across the United States, he returned home. Michael is a paraplegic. He cannot walk or stand. He has used a wheelchair since 1967. His van was his only constant companion.

Michael Burns was born in the New York City area and served as an Aviator in the U.S. Navy after receiving his BA from St. Michael's College in Vermont. He was injured on active duty in 1967.After rehabilitation, he served on the Committee Staffs of Senators Alan Cranston of California and Robert Stafford of Vermont. He left Washington to become the Assistant to the Director of the Veterans Hospital in San Diego. He returned to Washington DC in 1990 and was the Program Director for the Senate Veterans Affairs' Committee. He came back to San Diego and served as the Assistant to the Medical Director until he retired in 2001.He lives in Carlsbad, California. This is his first book.