2013 Iditarod Winner - Mitch Seavey

March 20, 2013

I had the awesome opportunity to vacation in Nome this past week, just in time to watch Mitch Seavey come across the Iditarod finish line! Words don't quite describe the excitement in the air. Check out this video to see what it was like.

A large outdoor screen projected the arrival time of the first musher.

Friends, family, and sponsors gathered under the burled arch, awaiting Mitch Seavey.

Been waiting for this moment for a year.  So excited to be back under the arch! — Been waiting for this moment for a year. So excited to be back under the arch!

Packing My Bags, Heading North

March 11, 2013

Iditarod 2013 Race Guide – check.

Grumpy Cat t-shirt – check.

Arctic balaclava – check.

Stanley flask – check.

Sealskin moccasins – check.

It's that time again - I’m heading to Nome for the finish of the Iditarod – the Last Great Race on Earth! The cat wants to go with me, but little does he know he’d be outnumbered by hundreds and hundreds of sled dogs!

Sonny Bunny, in the middle of all the action.

Meet and Greets with Famous Folks in Alaska

March 2, 2013

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 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 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 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 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 … — 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 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… — 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 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.

2012 in Review: Alaska Adventures Galore - PART TWO!

March 2, 2013

Hello there! If you haven't checked out Part One of my 2012 Alaska Adventures, please mosey on over to see a recap of January - June 2012. (Pssst, click the "Part One" link above...) Here's the second installment of my video and photo synopsis of 2012's adventures. This blog features some of my experiences from July - December 2012. Enjoy - and know that you, too, can have these awesome adventures if you just put your mind to it!