It is interesting how many experiences with Andy are more than the simple activity one would expect, somehow he turns adventures into some interesting memories many of which are the foundation for this blog!
Home videos have changed a few things for those of us old enough to remember what it was like before they became part of everyday life. Now, because videos are everyday life, Andy doesn’t really grasp who are famous and who are not. He has seen those he knows and loves in as many of our family movie times as he has seen the rich and famous. Heck, he even thinks Dallas Hughston is a celebrity due to a video he watched many times. It was put out by Shell and Dallas was featured in it during a truck show and calendar filming many, many years ago!
When Ice Road Trucker Alex Debogorski attended the St Ignace Truck Show in 2009 Andy recognized him as we have the first year Ice Road Trucker video set. Alex had noticed Andy as well as Andy does not hold his big rig passion in for long at the truck shows. Alex was autographing pictures of himself and posing for pictures with his fans. That Saturday, the line was long and the sun was hot on that unusually warm September day and because Andy does not value proof of meeting a celebrity we did not get in the two block long line for an autograph or picture. However, we did watch him interact with his fans every time we came around to that area of the event. What I noticed was how calm and accommodating Alex was. I’ve heard he has a gaggle of kids, maybe raising them helped prepared him for meeting the demands of fans with calm and grace or maybe that is just who he is. Either way, I watched as families asked for family photos with him and then he accommodated each member with an individual photo if that is what they asked for. I was amazed! Not what I’ve experienced in other like situations.
The following day, Sunday, we were getting the last looks of the semis for this show and Alex was at his assigned spot only this time slot had no lines. However, I still did not pursue the opportunity, but Alex did. He approached us and as he handed Andy an autographed bookmark with his picture on it he asked Andy “would you like this?” Andy answered by handing it back to him! By the look on Alex’s face I could tell no one had ever returned an autograph to him! I had to explain to him Andy’s currency is semis and that picture did not have one in it! As I had seen previously Alex’s accommodating soul searched for a picture that had a semi in it for Andy. Then, as if on cue, a semi rolled passed them, I captured a picture as both of them admired that rig as it was leaving the show. Currency matters!
After meeting him twice, when I think of Alex Debogorski from Ice Road Truckers I think of grace. His calm demeanor and welcoming spirit are not what I’ve experienced from others who spend time in the limelight. As we waited to get on the same dinner boat cruise Alex approached people with his hand extended and an introduction. After some conversation he said “I think we need a picture.”
So I took one!
Update 9-20-2017
Knowing Alex would be at this years 2017 show I finished this story so I could ask his permission to publish it. The Friday line was short and I explained to Alex a little about the blog and my permission request. He glanced at the copy I’d provided and signed where I asked. Admittedly, I was focused on my task with Alex and paid no attention to the fact Andy had put this years signed bookmark inside one of his books, where he stores all his valuables. When we got home and I saw the bookmark I instantly knew why he kept it safe. It had a truck on it!
Coincidence? I think not!
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Permission to publish approved 9-16-2017