The Burchett family reunion was held at the Gordon Ranch in the Rocky Mountains at Holland Lake, Montana from July 20-26, 2003. Each day we had a special event planned—a hike to Holland Lake waterfall, riding horses in the mountains, swimming at the beach, canoeing down Swan River, fly fishing, and hiking in Glacier National park. We enjoyed staying in the log cabins and cooking big meals for the whole family each evening. After supper, we would gather in the main lodge to share our experiences.

Several evenings we had a kukai, in which anonymous haiku from the day's experiences were read out loud and spread out on the table for further enjoyment. Following the kukai tradition, we agreed that a haiku selected as a favorite was born at that moment of being loved by a read. Later that night we would vote on favorites and talk about why we liked certain haiku so much. This web site gathers several photographs and most of the haiku that were "born" at the Gordon Ranch kukai.

Thanks to everyone who attended the Burchett family reunion, and special thanks to Melanie & Andy Puckett, our Montana connections, who organized and planned this reunion so well. Here's a list of everyone who attended (organized by Burchett sibling families):

Mike Kiser • Dot Kiser • Ryan Kiser • Andrea Kiser
Deb Kiser

Marj Sands • John Sands
Tom Vahle • Jeannette Vahle • Katie Vahle • Amanda Vahle • Melanie Vahle
Melanie Puckett • Andy Puckett • Jack Puckett • Daniel Puckett

Jenny Collins • Bill Collins
Jeff Collins • Kathy Collins

Ray Burchett • Suzi Burchett

Shirley Brooks • Randy Brooks • Jessica Brooks
Ariks Brooks • Laura Hanson