2012 was a big year for celebrity run-ins in Alaska. And by celebrities, I mean AWESOME Alaskans who make this state great! Oh, and there also were a handful of encounters with celebrities from the Lower 48 who were filming right here in Alaska. Apparently, the Last Frontier is a hot spot these days. Who would've thought it? :-)
With Libby Riddles, the first female to win the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. We met aboard a cruise ship in Juneau when she was presenting to tourists about the Last Great Race.
With Aliy Zirkle (center) who finished second in the 2012 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Here we are at the Nome Dog Lot when I was an official Iditarod volunteer. Her smile lights up a room.
With Lance Mackey, four-time winner of the 1,000-mile Yukon Quest and four-time winner of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Lance loves his dogs and shows genuine appreciation for his fans!
With Dawson Dolly (Cindy Godbey) who has the biggest nuggets in the Klondike! This sweet lady and I met in Nome's Board of Trade Saloon. She is terrific!
With Martin Buser, four time Iditarod champion. Martin was the keynote speaker at a conference I attended last fall. He spoke on "Elevating the Team: You Only Travel as Fast as Your Slowest Dog." What an invigorating presentation and such a dynamic speaker!
With Ariel Tweto, star of the Discovery Channel's "Flying Wild Alaska." She's just as beautiful and gracious in person as she is on the show!
With the "Drinking Made Easy" fellas, Zane Lamprey and Steve McKenna, during their visit to Juneau. They filmed at the Alaska Brewing Company.
With U.S. Senator Mark Begich at the Alaska Federation of Natives.
With actors Bruce Greenwood (Star
Trek, iRobot) and Ella Purnell (Never Let Me Go, Intruders) during the Juneau location filming of "WildLike." I was cast as an extra in the film, and I also happen to be the only person in the movie wearing a traditional Native Alaskan kuspuk!
With THE Jeff Corwin, television host from the Animal Planet. Yes, he is just as dreamy in person.
With Alaska Governor Sean Parnell (right), the First Lady, Sandy Parnell (second to right), and Lieutenant Governor Mead Treadwell (far left) at the Governor's Mansion.