The long line of cars pulled in before we did! As we parked, we observed a coffin in the back of the lead pickup. So now we knew what was going on. We hurriedly went inside, up the stairs and found a place to sit before the morners filed in.

Sitting there for a few moments I saw that you had to go to the counter to order and pour your own coffee. Bob wanted eggs and hash browns and ham. On the chalk board it said “fresh potato soup.” OK, I will have that. Order in, I brought our coffee to the table where there was cream and sugar already on the table. Neither one of us use cream or sugar.

By that time the funeral procession had filtered in and poured themselves coffee. A little older Indian-Native man all dressed in his very finest, put his cup full of coffee on our table and helped himself to the cream and sugar. Never saying a word, he picked up his cup and ambled off. Bobs eggs came and so did my soup.

Bobs breakfast was fine. My potato soup was minus the milk! Just water, potatoes, onion, celery and salt. It was kind good because it was hot and I was hungry. We just grinned and watched the large bunch of people filter in and out in the very finest of dress. All the men of various ages were wearing cowboy boots. An older, well dressed Indian lady and her grandchild – we presumed – stood across the table from us and giggled at who knows what. We presumed they were giggling at us, totally out of our element.

Before we left, we looked at all the old John Deere and other types of snow machines that were setting around in various places, on top of sheds, on garage roofs and in the yard in various places. It was very interesting, but we did not terry as we wanted to get ahead of the funeral procession!

Next week Quesnel and on to hell’s gate….

The Grannie Annie series is written by a 47 year resident of Alaska, Ann Berg of Nikiski.Ann shares her collections of recipes from family and friends. She has gathered recipes for more that 50 years. Some are her own creation. Her love of recipes and food came from her Mother, a self taught wonderful cook. She hopes you enjoy the recipes and that the stories will bring a smile to your day.

Grannie Annie can be reached at anninalaska@gci. net

Cookbooks make great gifts!

The “Grannie Annie” Cook Book Series includes: “Grannie Annie’s Cookin’ on the Woodstove”; “Grannie Annie’s Cookin’ at the Homestead”; “Grannie Annie’s Cookin’ Fish from Cold Alaskan Waters”; and “Grannie Annie’s Eat Dessert First.” They are available at M & M Market in Nikiski.