Appetite Of A Truck Driver

Every truck stop, every plate was filled and delicious. The only thing was we could not wait to find another one.

Heading down the highway, we started our journey to the west coast of Canada. Our little 1980 Datson was filled with camping supplies, small bags of clothes, a little bit of food.

We mapped the journey out and with every intention, we marked the truck stops to go to that we were told were fantastic.

I can always remember in northern Ontario in a place called Kenora, we went in to have a nice breakfast. There was so much food and tasted so good, we could not believe it. The bread was homemade, the bacon was thick and crispy and the best part was the eggs were cooked just right. Just like going to my Aunt Sarah when we were kids.

After eating and discussing how far we were going to go we got a big surprise. Right beside the glass door where we were sitting were two little black bear cubs. The owner of the place yelled and told us to move away from the windows and fast.

We were glad we did, momma bear comes flying towards the glass to get her babies.

This had happened at this spot before, she also broke the glass. This time everyone was safe.

Leaving feeling well-nourished and many stories to share.

All Uphill

The next part of the journey was the start of climbing a bit of a mountain. Quite a few moose gathered around us. Good thing we were safe in our Datson.

Supper was at a truck stop right by a nice cozy spot. We got out and walked around, stretching our legs. When we arrived inside, it reminded me of a place called Psalms, from my hometown Paris, Ontario.

The jukebox was playing some good old country music, the meal was homemade fries, sirloin steak with mushroom and fresh beans. Wow at this rate the meals were better than we had ever had.

After dinner, the truck stop had an area to take a shower and get cleaned up. Just down the road. we set up camp and slept better than ever.

Morning Came Early

We packed up the car, our next stop was in Manitoba. Wow. we could not believe the long stretch of flatlands. Field after field.

When we ate during this part of the drive, we basically had a campfire and cooked on an open flame. We had picked up a few hamburgers but nothing could ever taste as good as the truck stop food.

We decided to take turns driving until we settled in Regina. Long nights, long days started to get the better of the two of us. We got very lucky too.

The truck stop had homemade soup, scones and meals that were unbelievable. Not just that the lovely lady had just made nice warm pies.

We stayed and talked with a few of the drivers, the couple that owned the place. On top of that, we were given a nice cabin for the night right around the back.

Fresh sheets, towels and such a beautiful spot. It did not take us long to fall off to sleep.

In the morning we went back to the restaurant, we talked about how these truck stops were so amazing to eat at. When we were inside we came to the conclusion that many of the men and women were on the roads all the time. The wonderful homemade meals were like going home. No wonder everyone told us to stop and enjoy the finest cuisine anyone could ever ask for,

For the rest of the trip especially in Alberta, we stayed in a camping site in the mountains. The majority of the food was cooked in the open air. We had to be extremely careful, no food left anywhere and we locked up what we had in the car.

We came across a few bears but the rangers were always rounding them back up the mountains.

On the last night before leaving the park, we went down to Banff and had a wonderful French Fries and Perch Dinner. We realized then that we had taken quite the taste for homemade food from scratch.

We were so used to stopping at the Truck Stop for meals, nothing could ever taste as wonderful as going there. The restaurant food just did not have that homemade food feeling. I think we became spoilt.

Horseback riding, riding the Gondola and lots of travelling to British Columbia. Several truck stops and I will always remember my great big cheese and mushroom omelette. I felt so stuffed, yet it was the best. The other thing they really know how to brew a good cup of coffee.

We may not have travelled to find exquisite cuisine. We may not have travelled to Italy for meatballs and spaghetti. Or did we travel to Scotland for pigs in a blanket?

What I did receive was a collection of recipes from every truck stop.

Mandy in Regina- Potatoe Soup

First. you cook a small ham with a little bit of water and pepper.

All wrapped in tinfoil .keeping the flavour in.

Boiling potatoes and taking a few out to chop into small pieces.

When the rest of the potatoes are cooked, you mash potatoes with milk and fluid from the ham.

Chopping the ham into small pieces and adding the small potatoes cooked.

You can also add onions, herbs or vegetables if you like.

All put in a big pot and stirring on a regular basis.

Best soup ever. with homemade scones too. - another great recipe.

It was great eating like the truck drivers did, and we have already started planning our trip to eastern Canada.

Our cuisine is simple, our bellies will be full and nothing tastes better than homemade food. Just like home.

On the road again.