My departure from Alaska wasn't sad but it was melancholy

As the plane taxied to the runway I could see the star on the mountainside near Alpenglow (my favorite ski area). We lifted off toward Fire Island and then made a 180 degree turn. The plane gained elevation as we skirted the northern edge of Anchorage. Below I could pick out all of Anchorage's main arteries and APU's campus. It was a perfect last glimpse of my home. Minutes later we disappeared into the air above the vast and dark Chugach Mountains on our way to Denver.

I have begun my north to south adventure. From now on the weather will become increasingly temperate and the ground increasingly unfamiliar.