All, I "Scary Sharpened" my #4 plane iron and practiced on pieces of scrap.
After this, I thought I was a 1/2 step above totally inexperienced to smooth
my glued up panel of red oak, or at least trying to even out the glue lines
(yes I'd removed the dried glue squeezeout beforehand). Aiggggh! My first
attempt however I must have had the blade set too deep as it skipped along
the surface and left 3 or 4 gouges or ruts about 1/8" wide, 1/2" long, maybe
1/16-1/32" deep - definitely noticeable.

I am not sure how to fix. I was going to try and finish this piece without
sanding, but... Should I try and plane the entire piece down to the depth
of the gouge? I'm a little gun shy about picking up the plane again...
maybe just sand out around the entire area and try to not make larger
depressions? The piece is probably 18" across, too wide for my planer, and
I don't have access to a wide belt sander. Advice, suggestions!?

Cheers!
Duke