Rankin Inlet (July 09/03) - The sweet twang of country music and the wafting scent of pancakes was enough to pull on the heart strings of any former Calgarian.

Residents of Rankin Inlet were treated to a Calgary tradition that not only hails the start of summer, but also ushers in one of the largest parties cow town sees each year -- the Calgary Stampede.

A Girl Guide troupe from the northeast Calgary community of Renfrew hosted the breakfast that drew hundreds of locals early Canada Day morning.

Eleven Guides and three adult leaders were in Rankin last week for seven days to experience the treasures of the North.

During their stay, they camped out at tent city and engaged in a number of local traditional activities.

"It's been memorable. It's fantastic here...windy," said Elaine Lingnau, one of the Guide leaders.

One of the activities during the week was a scavenger hunt through town.

It was an opportunity for the southwestern Canadians, who have never stepped foot i in the North, to get a feel for the community and its people.

"I am very impressed with the accepting attitude of the people here. It's almost like we've been here forever," said Jennifer Blain, trip co-ordinator.

The Calgary-based Guides decided to make the journey to Rankin after they were invited by their Rankin counterparts.

"The Rankin Girl Guides came down last year to Calgary for a big camp and we thought it would be a nice place to come visit," said Lingnau.

Jaclyn Music, 13, is one of the Calgary teens who travelled to Rankin.

Although she found the weather cool and windy she said she enjoyed the visit.

During their stay the Girl Guides were treated to demonstrations of traditional music and dance.

Music said she thought the throat singing was pretty cool.

"Everyone is so nice here," she added.

They also went ice hopping on the bay and had a polar bear sighting.

"We dipped in the bay, that was really cold," said Blain.

Pampered by Northern hospitality the guides decided to repay the favour with their free breakfast.

"We wanted to say thank you to the town for showing us around," said Blain.

"This is a huge thing in Calgary and we tried to make it the most like downtown (Calgary) as possible."