Mike Koerner flew the still-standing US Free Distance Record flight to Seminole, TX without a crew. He told the story at an SSA Convention a few years ago. He got a bus to Midland, walked to Odessa, got an airline home. A week or so later his first child was born. A few weeks after that they went back to get the glider. Or something along those lines.

Awesome flight by Jim and bravo to him for going for it!