From the delicate curve of a snowdrift on a mountainside to the vast expanses of the arctic tundra and everything in between, I am constantly amazed by the variety snow and ice on our planet.

You would think that after two months in Antarctica, I might be sick of cold, snow and ice. But apparently that isn't the case. I have spent my first week back in Grand Marais cross country skiing, telemarking and marveling at the newly formed ice on Lake Superior. Its hard to beat home.

Even though I'm not much of a morning person, I couldn't resist the rich light of a chilly sunrise over Lake Superior. I had to get out. The picture above is taken near Artist Point.

Phil Mesdag at Sierra Designs shipped me the latest version of the Big Kev - PT (the polar tunnel tent, not the person). While I haven't set it up yet, I know its big. Version two was a mansion with enough space to fit four and a vestibule big enough to host my nephew, Tyler's 11th birthday party. Phil, Jesse and I made several modifications last fall before the South Pole expedition and I am excited to see the results. I'll post some pictures of the BIG KEV PT 3.0 next week.

The tent arrived just in time, too. South Pole team member Hernan Maquieira is flying in from Switzerland on Saturday for a week of training and polar fun. My goal is to work out our expedition 'systems' and general team work strategies for our South Pole journey next November. Of course, that also means several nights out in the BIG KEV. Considering that it was -31 degrees F at the end of the Gunflint Trail yesterday, it shouldn't be too hard to emulate Antarctic conditions

A brief update from Utah and the Outdoor Retailer show. It was a successful trip and I was able to secure new sponsors LEKI, Outdoor Research, Cocona, Suunto, Event as well as some promising other leads. I'd tell you now, but its a secret.

I had a nice interview on with Kathleen Dunn on Wisconsin Public Radio last week. If you've got an hour to burn, check it out online. http://www.wpr.org/webcasting/audioarchives_display.cfm?Code=dun Scroll down to January 27th and click on 'listen'. Enjoy!

Don't tell anyone, but I've been enjoying sleeping in my bed (instead of a sleeping bag on the ice), eating a normal dinner and sitting in chairs. I helped my friend Dave Mills haul firewood for his wood stove today. It was taco night at Ilena and Bryan's yesterday. It is easy to see the simple joys in this life after having gone without for so long.

Of course after 37 years of knowing myself. I realize that my restlessness is only temporarily contained.