Making like a Tree and Leaving

I thought you would get a kick out of this sign I passed the other day with all the hype about McCain's VP choice. Since his announcement there has been something everyday on the front page of the newspapers about Gov. Sarah Palin and most Alaskans are still divided on her role as a major politician.

After three weeks of straight rain I decided I was ready to leave Alaska. Then miraculously there was a break in the clouds and the sun came out one morning. I took the opportunity to take my bike out for one last farewell ride.

I passed an interesting house that just looked so typical 'Alaska' (complete with large barking dog).

I continued on my bike up Nash Road which winds around the other side of Ressurection Bay. It was interesting to see everything for the first time from the other side.

I had some nice views even though I could see another storm coming. I also passed a big waterfall along the way.

And for a moment before the storms rolled in I remembered again why I love it here.

You can see the fall colors starting to change on the mountain and the air is turning nippy.

My favorite Alaskan wildflower, fireweed, normally looks like this:

But now it is starting to look like this:

However I love that the fireweed continues to give brilliant color to the landscape even as it's dying. It is also edible in the spring, and it is one of the first plants to start breaking down the soil for other plants to grow after a glacier has receded. It makes me want to start singing, "Give Said the Little Fireweed."

And so I say goodbye once again to this great state of Alaska knowing that there is something addicting about it that just may bring me back here in the future.

I'll be back in Utah tomorrow and hopefully I'll be able to pop in and say 'hello' to some of you!