Sweet Treats

There are a couple of good reasons to go to our Petro Canada station at the junction of Hwy 16 and 37, were the big “North to Alaska” sign hangs… that is, other than filling the gas tank. They have ice cream and bannock. Our little low-energy refrigerator won’t keep ice cream frozen, so the big tubs of Dairyland ice cream – eight assorted flavors - at the Petro station have become one of our favorite summer afternoon treats… well, anytime actually. If you ask for a cup of ice cream, they cram big scoops of it into a tall paper beverage cup and charge about three bucks – such a deal. The other drawing card is their fried bannock (fry bread) piled into a basket near the cash register. In western Canada, bannock is closely associated with the aboriginal culture, even though Scottish fur traders likely introduced it to them in the 18th and 19th centuries. During the tourist season we often see it for sale at roadside stands near First Nation villages. It is delicious, especially when still warm and sprinkled throughout with dried currants. Ice Cream and bannock – two nice things to soften the price shock at the petrol pumps.

... P. L. Morningstar