I went for an hour-long run last night and was surprised by two things. First, that I could actually do an hour-long run (my knee seems to be on the mend since surgery). And two - new leaves. Jogging along a narrow trail, I marveled at all that green.

For the last two year at this time, I have been on the Arctic Ocean. In 2005, my day passed uneventfully trying to eat up minutes, seconds and hours while Lonnie and I waited for a Russian helicopter to pick us up. Nine days total we waited in that tent surrounded by a rapidly deteriorating ice pack.

Last year, the story was a bit different. We were on our way to the North Pole again, but this time from Canada. We were traveling nights, then to reduce the glare from the sun and increase the contrast in the snow. I took a short break from traveling to make note of the conditions. I remember it clearly.

From my expedition Journal - June 1st 2005. "It was a terrible day actually, its been raining most of the day. If I get any sort of feeling for today it only stems from the realization of my growing insignificance in the grand scheme of things."

Why so reflective on this day above all others? Well, today the day like every other day, is my birthday. I'm 36.

I'd better be careful. This is blog is starting to read like some sort of birthday wishing site. Sorry for that.