I'm in Hawaii. And let me tell you, its nice here. Sunny beaches, warm weather, the vast blue Pacific Ocean stretching into the horizon... While you might not consider, relaxing on beaches work, I do.

OK, its not work, work. Or at least this part of my trip isn't. I did start out working with several presentations on the big Island. I did also do some fairly serious training. So, maybe its not work as in I'll get a tax deduction for being here, but seriously.

In a little over a month I'll be climbing Denali. Next November, skiing to the South Pole. Next March, the North Pole. This warmth. The Sun. Beaches and water will all be sustaining images and memories to help keep me smiling and warm. I can't even begin to tell you how important those small little things can be during an expedition.

I wanted to update my web site with cool pictures of my adventures, but my flash card reader got smashed in transit so that will have to wait for a bit. Instead, just know that I managed to see some incredible sights and will share more stories soon.

Earth day was especially nice and I spent two days speaking to students at the Hawaii Preparatory Academy. Trying to relate the struggles of snow and ice to someone who has never witnessed temperatures below 50 degrees is always a challenge. But stories from my expeditions seem to resonate with all audiences. Of course, finding one thing that we can all do to reduce carbon emissions is equally important

A special congratulations also go out to my good friends, John Huston and Tyler Fish who have just completed an unsupported North Pole expedition becoming the first Americans to do so. Amazing journey and incredible accomplishment!

If you haven't seen any of my new 'training' videos, you should. Check them out at www.youtube.com/savethepoles. Special thanks to the Scream Team for editing and putting them together.

What are you doing on May 20th? You're invited to my Save the Pole's EXPEDITION FUNDRAISER - silent auction, concert, and polar presentation

Wednesday, May 20th 6:30 PM Cedarburg Cultural Center. Cedarburg, Wisc.

$15 Adults/$6 Students/Under 5 Free

Hors d'oeuvres provided * Cash Bar * Silent Auction to help benefit the STP expedition * Free ICE FEST T-shirt and 'gift bag' to first 150 attendees * Music by Michael Lee Ammons & the Water Street Hot Shots * Multi Media presentation by renowned polar explorer, Eric Larsen (that's me).

RESERVATIONS APPRECIATED! Please call 262-377-5767 or 262-502-0240 or email Judy: Ljudithwve@aol.com

Are you on Twitter? Follow my continuing adventures at ericlars.