[omegaman]

I tend to think that Archer was really deep down an explorer at heart who learned a great lesson and was tempered by his experiences with the Xindi.

I think, given the chance at being an Admiral or commanding a warp seven ship that he would have jumped at the latter and put his career on hold for at least another 5 years. Archer would relish the chance to explore the parts of the galaxy that only a warp seven ship could provide.