It's official, I'm now married to the ugliest woman in Tahiti. I haven't seen her yet because 37 days ago I left there bound for Lake Tahoe to bring Ken's plane to his summer home. Well, this had to be the wildest trip covering 18,482 miles and 41 stops! Some of the highlights were the island hoppings due west of Tahiti, the Alaskan wilderness, and a special trip to the geographic North Pole. The instruments were going crzay, but I did it. BTW, if you maintain an altitude of 17k, you can fly over 1,000 miles on one fill. I truly know the Goose inside and out, and since I flipped it once on a short runway in Alaska, my ugly Tahitian bride is now waiting for me back in the village! Thanks for the great charter!
At one point heading north to Japan, I must've fell asleep because I woke up with my engines silent. I looked left--water. I looked right--more water! Last thing I remember, I was at 12k feet. Now I was quietly drifting in the ocean's current. I had forgot to refuel at my last island, and it settled me down in the ocean about 40 miles SW of my destination. I wouldn't recommend trying this on purpose, but thank goodness that there wasn't any damage. A passing fishing boat sold me 50 gallons of whiskey, so I threw it in the tank, let it cough and sputter, then off I went. That poor old man laughed so hard, he fell right overboard!
Anywho, it was a great trip, and I'd recommend it to anyone.
Cheers!
David Hedges
Hub Manager, Miami (KMIA)
WWA1864, Senior Command Captain
Monster Driver
