Backcountry pilot delivers mail to remote Idaho residents
That was the headline that caught my eye in a recent issue of American Profile magazine. Almost every week since 1975, pilot Ray Arnold has been the only connection between civilization and central Idaho’s vast Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness area, flying a three-hour route with everything from letters, bills, and catalogs to animals and appliances.
This remote mail route is the only aerial wilderness route in the contiguous United States. With fiscal challenges, the U.S. Postal Service may not renew Arnold’s contract when it comes due in June, 2013, but in the mean time, it’s a great story for the Connection Spotlight.
For the full story: http://americanprofile.com/articles/pilot-delivers-us-airmail-to-remote-idaho/.
Editor’s note: the pictured airplane is not Ray Arnold’s plane. To see pictures of his plane, go to the full story on American Profile’s website.
I hope that contract gets renewed! I can’t imagine being that remote, all the time. Nice to have some peace and quiet once in a while, but that would be too much for me I think. Great story, Elizabeth!
Thanks, Karen. I just love these kinds of human interest stories. It’s just fascinating to me how many millions of ways there are to make meaningful connections. Thanks for reading and commenting!
That is a neat story!–and a perfect fit for your site:).
Thanks, Lisa! I just love coming across things like this. I am constantly reminded of the wonderful and unique ways people connect with each other. I was particularly moved by the quote in this full article about the pilot’s feeling that the people he has served all these years have come to feel like family. I can only imagine what his service must mean to them in terms of feeling less isolated.