Rural gems

At least once a year, Darlene and I go on our "Kananaskis circle route" drive. We head south out of the city down to Okotoks, then head west to Black Diamond, then south to Longview, then west again into the Rockies. After a drive through some of the most amazing scenery, we end up on the Trans Canada, which we take east to get home. The whole trip takes about three and a half hours at a leisurely pace. I like to check out eateries in these rural areas, because they have Mom & Pop places as opposed to the typical chain restaurants. Today we stumbled upon a place in Black Diamond called Marv's Classic Soda Shop. This joint is straight out of the 50's, complete with a real soda fountain, Nickelodeon player piano and a candy store that sells stuff you may not have seen on shelves for decades (like Black Bart black licorice gum). Marv cooks and can sometimes be seen strapping on the guitar and singing songs to the customers. Today it was Elvis tunes. Marv can sing! Darlene and I had a European-style hot dog, some home fries and a couple glass bottles of Coke. Check them out if you're ever in the neighbourhood.