I had not long ago a beautiful, nay magical, experience in the air. It was a flight from North Las Vegas Airport (KVGT) to Mesa Falcon Field (KFFZ) late one evening. Takeoff was at approximately 1 o’clock am.  Air traffic control vectored me in a climb over the Strip – a remarkable sight in its own right at that time of night. The climb continued through 8,000 feet over Lake Mead with a full moon reflecting in the water. Enroute northwest of Prescott cruising at 10,000 there was a cloud buildup ahead. I was cleared to 12,000 to fly over the top. At that altitude I was just skimming the upper layers. The reflection of the moon gave the impression that light was emanating from within the clouds.  Moon and stars above, transilluminated clouds below.  I turned down the cockpit lights to savor this incredible view!  I was there, alone, the only human being in the world privileged to witness this phenomenon here in this place, in this moment, in the middle of the night.

Before long, I was handed off to Phoenix Approach Control as the glow of the city came into view some 100 miles distant...