Tubing season is upon us in earnest, and the Fat Salmon played host to its very first wedding yesterday. Rama and Ashton are officially hitched - we are convinced that the sweet clear mountain air, cool afternoon ocean breezes and rocking tunes pumped out by the best dj this side of the Hump (Maestro Fresh Marsh) encouraged them to tie the proverbial knot. Whatever the case, love is in the air, and those two lovebirds are not the only two to think so. Why, just ask any of the Swiss, German, Dutch, American, Canadian, French, Spanish, Australian, Kiwi, Czech, Polish, Japanese, Korean, Taiwanese, English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh, Slovakian, Slovenian, Austrian....whew! any of these who have graced the Fat Salmon Backpacker's front doorstep this past month, and you will see that a strong and amorous love for the beautiful West Coast of Canada is propelling people ever-onwards on their traveling quests. We even were lucky enough to meet Andy, from Seattle, on his flash BMW motorcycle, up for the weekend, sussing out roads to cruise on the Island. Apparently, he found plenty, and even a riding pal in Chris. Hope to see more of him in the future. The Tall Ships were fun and stayed in Port for two days, setting all the Valley hearts a flutter with their moorings and sails.
August is gearing up to be a kicking month for us all at the Fatty S, too - with, as usual, lots to do and lots to see. Thunder in the Valley, the steam train, the steam operated McLean Mill, tubing on the mighty Stamp River (honestly, need we even say more?), hiking Arrowsmith, biking the Log Train Trail, floating on Cameron Lake, swimming in Sproat Lake, checking out the Mars Bombers when they are resting from fighting forest fires, fishing in the Alberni Inlet, finding the Nuu-chah-nulth petroglyphs, dining on any of our outdoor patios and pubs, watching the sunset over the Beaufort Mountain Range - so much for you to choose from! Give us a call and we'll squeeze you for a boo 250.723.6924. Happy end-of-July week.

So, as our lovely country's birthday quickly approaches, we sit back, contemplatively, and reflect upon the pop culture, the community culture and the first cultures that make Canada what Canada is. Seeing as there are Canadians and non-nationals amongst us, we have interesting ideas about what makes this country a rocking one.
On Canada Day, you can bet your favourite Fluevogs (Lily Darlings) that the Fat Salmon will be belting out the sounds of at least five dozen of the following: Martha & Rufus Wainwright, Neil Young, Leonard Cohen (who is touring, by the way, so snap up concert tickets if he is gracious enough to play anywhere near where you currently are), Joni Mitchell, Diana Krall, Lorenna McKennitt, Bruce Cockburn, KIM MITCHELL!!, Glass Tiger (for Peterborough), Platinum Blonde (for super-duper fun), Burton Cummings & all things related to the rockin' Guess Who, Crashtest Dummies, Be Good Tanyas, Neko Case and all her groovy Girlfriends, Ashley McIsaac, Great Big Sea, RUSH!(for Lennie), Alanis "The Goddess" Morissette, Sarah McLachlan, Anjani Thomas, The Barenaked Ladies, Wide Mouth Mason, Northern Pikes, Chilliwack, Kevin Quain & The Mad Bastards, The Tragically Hip & anything Gordie Downie has ever touched, Big Sugar & Grady & anything Gordie Johnson has ever even looked at, and, of course, the timeless punk sound of the Dayglo Abortions. Chris says - OF COURSE, the Dayglos!
(Angus says not to forget Raffi. We won't, Shmoo - not to worry!)
And so.
We ready ourselves for the big Port Alberni Canada Day Parade, complete with floats, tractors (we can only guess), clowns, jugglers, candy and other exciting freakish things...maybe even the Martin Mars Water Bombers will be out, flitting around in the sky as well as 7500 gallons of water capacity can allow a plane to.
We reflect upon the Tseshaht and the Hupacasath First Nations, two Nuu-chah-nulth nations that founded the Alberni Valley long, long before any of us had any concept that it was the Alberni Valley. Two of the most beautiful coastal communities along the West Coast of Canada, the Tseshaht and the Hupacasath continue to live their lives according to the fishing blueprint of their ancestors. Want to check out that water culture intimately, for yourself? Then rock on into the Valley and book a First Nation's traditional canoe trip on the Somass River with Choo Kwa Ventures. If you want a longer jag, then think about a kayaking journey with Batstar Adventure Tours.
If neither of these is "Canadian" enough for you on this birthday celebratory weekend, then call up Rendezvous Dive Adventures in the Barkely Sound for an underwater visit with crabs, scallops, sea otters, humpback & Orca & grey whales. Kathy and Peter will sort you out with enough fun to last well into the next year (if you just want to chill, then ask Peter to whop your bottom at Settlements of Catan, but don't say that I said so).
Whatever the case, get thineself to the Alberni Valley for the Canada Day weekend because the Fat Salmon promises, as it does every July 1st, to rock you out. 250.723.6924. Dorm beds are still available at basement-bottom prices (starting at $18 flat for a dorm bed - like, can you do better than that in this pristine part of Vancouver Island?...the answer is ABSOLUTELY NOT). See you Tuesday - bring your own Pacific Pilsner.

The Fattest Salmon around hosted yet another star-speckled BBQ soiree tonight to the beat of Tom Waits and Neil Young, for those who are discerning about important details. The weather is perking right up all over the Island, but, of course, is particularly friendly in the Alberni Valley - it was fabulously balmy and bright today, prompting Lily to dip her brazen bottom well into the Somass River at 8 am this fine morning. Just lovely! There are still spots available for a four day paddle with Batstar kayaking, and you can hook that up via El Gordo by calling us now at: 250.723.6924. In case you have been living under a rock, too, and have not yet heard, tubing season is nearly upon us so don't miss out on the area's favourite past time. Angus is ramping up his verbal skills for your visit, so don't be square, get thine over here soon. Happiest of happy Friday the Thirteenths.

Okay, picture this: the first stellar month of backpacking heaven under our fatty belt brings a plethora of activity in a varied manner surprising even to the most imaginative of us. We have hosted an impromptu engagement for two lost Germans (Tabea and Ben), been privy to a rather raucous bachelor party for Peter of Rendezvous the night before he and Kathy tied the proverbial knot down at the Maritime Museum (when we realized that Peter had been electrical-taped to the front gate, we started to wind the soiree down a few notches), met and wooed the ever-shiny-uber-talented-and-oh-so-sweet souls Rama and Ashton from FLA to join our Fat Salmony ranks for whatever time we can convince them to stay on with us in paradise, welcomed Shawn's triumphant return from the fabled lands of milk and honey down sunny-South way, and, of course, carried on with our business-as-usual backpacking prowess to maintain the coolest spot you will ever stay in outside of your own cottage. We look forward to the Tall Ships in July (11-12 and, yes, we still have a bit of room at the inn), the kick-off of tubing season at the end of June, and our favourite Farmer's Market every Saturday down at the Harbour Quay - it just gets better and better, doesn't it? If you haven't already, come in for a boo. Angus and Lily are waiting to show you some proper Island hospitality. 250.723.6924. We are only as far as you are away, Silly Pants!

WOOOOOOO HOOOOOOO!
The Fat Salmon has swung its welcome doors madly open and is back into the servicing groove once again. The season has jump-started and it has been a whirlwind first week - we are delighted to welcome back some old faces, and meet a whole wide slew of new ones. The group from Arkansas has kept us laughing well into the nighttime for two nights running now, and some early-bird West Coast Trailers have stopped in to make the Fatty S their last stop before bust. The weather has been not only kind, but downright congenial, what with 33 degree days for three in a row. Sun, fun and wun-derment have been orders of the day and we, ever the grateful minions of El Gordo's palace, thank one and all for such a brilliant first week back in the saddle.
Angus, in all of his blonde and contagiously smily merriment, has been hit of the hostel so far, to be sure. Not to be trifled with, however, our bouncy minx, Lovely Lily, takes a very close second for hospitable host award. Guests have come from far and no so far to regale us with their travel stories of glory and gore - Japan, Korea, the States, Slovenia, England, Switzerland, Germany, Holland and the nether bits of Canada have all had a kick at the Fat can.
You don't believe it? Then rock on down to the hottest spot in Port Alberni and see for yourself. We are waiting for you and so is the Mullet Room (promises, promises, eh?). 250.723.6924. Rock out.

Holy Haliburton - it is nearly upon us all, once again...BACKPACKING SEASON! We, at the illustrious Fattest of Fat Salmons, have just ramped it up and are preparing for the onslaught of visitors, backpackers, friends, dogs, fish and fisherpeople that will start rocking through the shiny new blue gates in less than a month's time. How exciting! After a whole winter of hibernating, slogging it through the rain puddles and dreaming of the bright yellow daffodils, it is nearly upon us. Woo hoo times two! Lily is beside herself with anticipation and glee, Angus has already started practicing his fifth-gear-booting freestyle and El Gordo has been scrubbing the floors with his sanitized salmony scales. May 12 the front doors open again for the season, so come on over, call to book - 250.723.6924 - or drop us an email at: info@fatsalmonbackpackers.com to reserve your big bunk in the hippest hostel this side of the Equator. Looking so forward to seeing all the fun folks again; always a treat! - Just Keep Swimming.

Well, imagine that a whole Fat Salmon hostelling season has come and is flying out the back door now...we look back on the summer of 2007 with awe and respect at how quickly something can disappear. It was a brilliant year and we gratefully acknowledge everyone who graced our front steps with their presences and senses of humour this year. We look forward to re-opening after our hibernation period, in the spring of 2008. See you in May. For more information, please contact us at: info@fatsalmonbackpackers.com or call to chat us up: 250-723-6924.
Happy winter and see you next year!

So, let me count the ways...the Great Salmon Fest, the Alberni Valley Fall Fair and, upcoming - the Alberni Valley News is about to officially celebrate one whole year in this magnificent piece of paradise. Do you really need more reasons to get your butt into the Valley before the season is up? We have been delighted beyond reason with repeat visits from Germany, Switzerland and Australia and from as close-by as Vancouver, Fernie and Nelson this year - lucky-ducky us. The Slamon Fest ripped through the Inlet last weekend, with the BIG ONE being caught by a bloke from over the Hump. Nice one. Much salmon was caught and reeled in by all, despite the wet weather (perhaps, even, because of it, we surmise). The Fall Fair is on and in full swing, but only until Sunday, so hurry. With carnie rides aplenty, deliciously fried food and logger sports running over, it promises to hold something for every taste. Even Lily gets geared up about the Fall Fair when it comes to town. Angus told me this morning, in light of his brand-new tooth, that maybe he would like to try a candied apple. We'll see. Tuesday is promising to be a scorcher - 29 or so degrees - so book your trip down the Stamp River with the Stamp River Tubing Company for what may well be the last good tube of the year. According to Innes of Aberdeenshire, Scotland, "Tubing the Stamp is the best $20 I have yet spent in Canada." Of course, we couldn't agree more...What more can we say? Come on down - 250.723.6924. Happy Weekend.

Well, we have just been beat over the heads with the most delightful weather over the past few days and are just reeling from the sunshine. Super-real vitamin D!! Angus is in tears of joy over it. Come and get it while it's smokin' hot. We're loving it. The Stamp River Tubing Company is rocking us all out - if you haven't tubed down the Stamp River yet, then you obviously cannot die happy people. Whether it's on an air mattress, a funky floatie, a river raft or a proper teletubie, get yourself down to the river for a float. Eagles, bears and salmon (oh my) are high on the agenda once on the waves...want some of that? Then get into the Valley and dial up Denis.
Thunder in the Valley roared through Port Alberni over the weekend and was eaten up by heaps of guests, wondering why their communities don't host such crazy revelry. Join us next summer for the same.
The sunsets are coming earlier and earlier these days, so don't forget to book into the Fatty S before we all turn into fall pumpkins. 250.723.6924.