Since announcing her resignation on July 3, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has been all over the state for what seems to be a farewell tour, Alaska style.

Palin has been waxing poetic about her state, giving the impression she is moving on to greater things -- a run for president. When asked by the Associated Press about the purpose of the tour, she denied it was goodbye, saying, "It's more like thanks for letting me be here and I'll see you soon."

But her Twitter updates -- which she writes herself -- give the impression that Alaska is a stepping stone to something bigger. She tweets that "Tourists from across America, here loving their 49th state! I'm reminded: '1 heart, 1 hope, 1 destiny, 1 flag from sea to sea'- K B Sherwood."

She will be moving the kids back to Wasilla ("Todd & I r packing JNU house today"), but how much she'll be there is not clear. One can read some of her tweets as straightforward analysis of wildlife, but I think she is (in the words of Bill Kristol) "crazy like a fox," sending clearly coded messages to her supporters: "mama bear doesn't look 2 anyone else 2 hand her anything; biologists say she works harder than males, is provider/protector for the future."

The itinerary of the goodbye/thank you tour was not always clear to some of us following her on Twitter because we skimmed over references to little-known towns with unusual names. But with the help a Google map of Alaska and the Twitter timeline, her tweets take on a distinctive tone:

Unalakleet -- "Left Unalakleet warmth for rain in Juneau tonite. No drought threat down here, ever...but consistent rain reminds us: 'No rain? No rainbow!' "

Kotzebue (aka "Kotz") -- "Refreshing to be in Kotzebue to honor VPSOs; Native dancers, whaling captains, lots of beautiful kids loving the annual Trade Fair- perfect!"

McGrath -- "Flew over McGrath area burn, met idolized smokejumpers (for bravery, strength, love of outdoors!) I appreciate their work in volatile areas."

Fairbanks -- "Love those Fairbanks constituents who appreciate our Constitution protections via 2nd & 10th Amendment bills/resos event today Thnx Frbnks!"

Kenai Peninsula, Homer -- "On Peninsula to hook up w/AK Dpt Fish & Game;outstanding work managing wildlife resources for abundance;look forward to spending time w them."

While she denied to the AP that she is leaving Alaska -- "I am Alaskan. I've grown up here and I'm going to remain in Alaska" -- her tweets suggest another story.

She is already feeling nostalgic for her home state -- "From sealife near lush wet rainforests to energy housed under frozen tundra atop permafrost,God most creatively displays His diversity in AK".

And, she is ambitious for a national profile, perhaps a run for president in 2012 -- "Couple of thoughts for the day on beautiful bright AK morn:'You have to sacrifice to win. That's my philosophy in 6 words.'- George Allen."

The tour, which ends when she steps down as governor July 26, clearly seems a prelude to traveling to the lower 48 to raise money and her profile with speeches.

Alaska: You served your Sarah well. Made her mayor and then governor and launched her into the national spotlight as the 2008 vice-presidential candidate. But now it's time to sing "So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, goodbye!"

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