I feel like that part of the Indiana Jones movie where the little white line traces Indy's route across the globe. Maria commented that getting back was a long adventure within itself. She's right too. Our white line covers a substantial portion of the northern hemisphere - the geographic North Pole to Borneo Ice Base to Svalbard to Oslo to London (sorry Doug, not to call) to Ottawa to Thunder Bay, Ontario.

In London, we lost AJ. Here is where Darcy and I separate. While we are all excited for home, it is unusually hard to be now sitting alone. For two months, we traveled together through some of the most inhospitable terrain (and water) on the planet. We saw each other's best, and a few times, worst. Tired, happy, sad, noncommital, overwhelmed and every other emmotion was experienced as a team.

From Ottawa Darcy and I drove his truck through the night. We had talked about this mant times on the trail - one person driving, the other lying in the back seat surrounded by chips, pizza, hamburgers aand broasted chickens. Surprisingly, we spent much of our time talking about our journey. We compared and contrasted perspectives on different situations during the trip trying to gleen new bits of understanding, knowledge and lessons learned.

The butterflies in my stomach right now only confirm what I already know. I have never really liked the end of anything - especially expeditions. Neither Darcy and I were eager to part ways.

'Want to get some lunch?' Darcy suggested.

With his family eager waiting for Darcy's return, it was best for him to keep driving. Still, we found ourselves smelling flowers in the Super Stores garden center, admiring the quantity of water melons and oggling weird looking fish in the sea food department.

Of course, this is not the end for any of us.

Image: Darcy and Eric saying goodbye. Why are we smiling?

The Save the Poles expedition is sponsored by Bing with major support froque m the University of Plymouth, Terramar, Seventh Generation, Goal0, Atlas, Sierra Designs and Optic Nerve.

Remember, it's cool to be cold. Save the Poles. Save the planet.

For more information, please visit www.ericlarsenexplore.com

For information about guided Antarctic expeditions, please visit http://www.antarctic-logistics.com/

For media inquiries, please contact lora@screamagency.com

For technical inquires, please contact webexpeditions.net