Alaska, still today, is somewhat of a mythic land. The ice, the snow, the uninhabited wilderness of coniferous trees and furry beasts — it all comes together in an untamed, piney tapestry far too cold and wild for the average couch potato American.

Shoot, wait. They also house Sarah Palin. And mom and pop breakfast nooks that serve gluttonous baked goods. Perhaps we’ve been reading too many John Krakauer novels?

President Barack Obama discovered the former Tuesday morning in Anchorage when he popped into the Snow City Cafe wearing a gray Under Armour jacket and purchased $18.25 worth of cinnamon rolls and muffins. Then left a tip that even Jimmy Conway would’ve thought ludicrous.

$31.75. That’s nearly 200% gratuity.

But never mind the money, let’s get back to the breakfast pastries. Does anyone really think Bam is starting his day — a day that’s loaded with making decisions that impact the wellbeing of the entire world — by eating a freaking cinnamon roll? Or a muffin? Let’s face it: once back at his hotel down the street (the Hotel Captain Hook) he tossed the bag to a gaggle of Secret Service agents and hunkered down in his room with a mug of black coffee, and egg white or two, half a grapefruit and a cigarette to wash it all down.**

What’s funny is he didn’t even dabble in menu item at the cafe that was specifically engineered for him and his visit: the “Obalamet”. Which features Spam, “barakoli” and Swiss cheese.

Doubtful the Leader of the Free World would actually show up minutes before he actually did, employees at the restaurant were to count their blessings and savor a celebrity encounter they experienced many moons ago.

This from Alaska Dispatch News:

“The staff was like, ‘Oh well, we’ve waited on Ted Danson,’ ” [managing partner] Fairbairn said, referring to the actor who was seen around Anchorage a few years ago while filming a movie here.

** – This was meant in jest. While we can’t confirm whether he ate them or not, he went hiking on a glacier almost immediately after he left the cafe.