A few days before we were leaving for the prairies, I asked Sonia where Shaun, Krysta and I were going to be staying along the way. It was in that moment that we realized we didn’t really have anywhere to stay. Sonia suggested I send out emails to our members in our different pickup locations but, being new to the Skipper Otto’s team I wasn’t so sure that would work. Convinced that I would be sleeping in the truck or in a campsite, I hit “send” on the emails and went to find my camp gear.

So, you can imagine my shock when about 20 minutes later I checked our inbox to find dozens of offers from CSF members! Beds, sofas, air-mattresses, and pull-out couches were all on offer, with kind and welcoming notes. It hadn’t really hit me until then just how much the  community supports Skipper Otto’s Community Supported Fishery.

We’re now halfway through our trip and have stayed with wonderful people along the way. Shaun and I were treated to some of our very own Skipper Otto’s spot prawns in a delicious dinner made by Bob and Velta in Calgary. In Regina, Krysta and I stayed with Samantha, whose house smelled of apple sauce, fresh tomatoes, and grape juice – all of which she was canning and preserving for the winter months. Arla and Doug let us use their sidewalk and home for the Regina pick up, and even made us warm chili and hot drinks to keep us snug throughout the cool autumn evening. We’ve now made it to Saskatoon where we are staying with Natalie and Eli, long time members who have opened their home to us. To say that we have been overwhelmed with hospitality is an understatement.

In addition to the warm welcomes, we’ve also been hearing back from members about delving into their fall deliveries of salmon, tuna and halibut. One member in Regina wrote us the morning after the pick up, reporting that her salmon dinner that night was “simply put, WOW.”

We have one more pick up in Saskatoon today and then we’re on to Edmonton and Jasper. We’re looking forward to meeting more sustainable seafood enthusiasts and sharing lots of fishing stories. Also, Shaun is back to Vancouver for a few days, so I’m on truck driving duty! Wish me luck!