As much as I love the drive from Soldotna to Anchorage (and back), I also recommend a window seat on the flight from Kenai for some gorgeous sights. I have only made the flight in the summer, but seeing the large areas of untouched forest and lakes stretch out with mountains standing stark in the distance has continually impressed me. I also marvel at the homes that sit out there, often so isolated from other habitation. One looked like they had mowed their own private golf course complete with water and sand traps, the lawn a vibrant green. Others were less impressive, looking like wreckage from a disaster movie was swept into their yards. Meanwhile, the flight is only long enough that no sooner do we reach our cruising altitude of 5,000 feet than the stewardess announces our descent into Anchorage.
I also love the Anchorage airport. A wall of windows looking out from the gate show the nearby mountains. I watched as they went from fully illuminated to silhouette with a brief (due to the clouds) reflection of sunset in between. I wonder if those who live in continual view of this majesty take it for granted after a time. To me, it continually impresses.
By tomorrow I will be among one of humankind’s attempts to match such grandeur in towering testaments to innovation and construction. While not quite the same, I experience a sense of awe from the Chicago skyline. I suppose those who live within view of it probably take it for granted as well.