All things equal, I came back to Alaska and wondered why I had left? I had family obligations to attend to, but after that was satisfied I came back. I left behind an empty captain seat at a regional.

Do what makes you happy. If you need structure, planned out future and a ritual, find your way into an airline. I like to FEEL the flying I do, and do it myself... sans autopilot. I also love being outdoors in nature. Alaska was a no brainer, once I recovered from shiny jet fever and the promise of 2.4 kids in suburbia, I came back.

I say this even now, as a recovery mission is going on to pull a local plane out of a nearby lake. The pilot and passengers were lost, and they were doing the same kind of flying I do, day after day. Life is not garaunteed, you must follow what makes you happy.

Good luck,

Ronin

P.s. Flying the Grand Canyon can be done with few hours for a number of operators. That's how I built up my multi PIC time to go up north. There's a lot to learn in the ditch, and it's fun.