Tuesday 28 July 2009

Ukee Days 2009

I have mentioned before I am from a small town of less than 1500 people (at the time, even less). Every year, Ucluelet, celebrates Ukee Days, a small town celebration including logger sports, booths, food, and beer gardens. They also have live music on both days as you wander the grounds. This year my kids and all of their Kubla Khan family members (kids recording label for their plethora of bands) came to Ucluelet to perform.

It is a 3 hour ferry and a 3 hour drive, but once you get to the west coast of Vancouver Island, you have reached paradise. A temperate rain forest, the ocean breezes, cooler temperatures and fog in the morning gives the place a mystical quality…plus, it still feels like home.

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I chronicled the weekend through pics…the one above is from Google Earth

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My mom puts on quite a spread…this was when we arrived on Sat. night. She had 50 or so people at her house to eat, drink and be merry while the kids practiced in the garage for the next day’s gig. Even know they play alternative music, they also performed some Beatles songs for us old folk. I especially loved their version of “A Day in the Life”, and just when everyone was about pickled, they did “Rocky Racoon”…we all sang…so much fun. We were the dun, dun, dun, dun, dun dun back up singers.

It reminded me of the old Cape Breton summers of my youth, where there were always guitars, spoons, singing and dancing; and a big lobster pot on the fire.

That’s my mom’s famous seafood lasagne on the left. Yum

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The kids eating in the garage- aka- the party space. My dad is an old fisherman, and thinks everything can be fixed with twine. Hence, the ladder clad in twine…a barrier for his two Scotties.  We just laugh; between twine and duct tape, he’s covered for all household repairs.

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The dogs played fetch in the backyard. Katie, Bailey and Spencer. They like a good parry too! OK, maybe not Katie…she is shy! We don’t know what happened to her, but they are both rescue Scotties, and she shies away from people. Look at Bailey…I told my sister, she needs a haircut!!!

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They jammed, we listened, and a good time was had by all.

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Shirley and Maureen…waiting for the show to begin.

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My son Evan (in the Vespa t-shirt) and the Kubla Khan Family.

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Evan, Carrissa and Jes

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My son Jes, Carson and Carrissa

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A long ferry line up, and a beautiful sunset takes us back to the mainland. Weekends away with family= priceless!!

On another note… Best to Lauren at Pure Style Home…her son got some bad dog bites, and she has gone into heavy duty nurture mode. I hope you both feel better soon Lauren.

11 comments:

Renae Moore said...

Michelle,

How beautiful and the distance makes it all worth while! We lived in Sitka, AK, and this looks so much the same...rainforest and all! Family times are THE best.

Blessings...

Terry said...

That is geography shock for me. Just beautiful. Away from home with family builds lifetime memories.

Fifi Flowers said...

Beautiful place... looks like fun... ADORABLE dogs!

Velvet and Linen said...

Thank you for taking us along on your beautiful and memorable family trip.
Your dad's handy work is quite impressive. Quite the problem solver.
Your son and his band mates look like they were having a blast. You must be one proud mom.

xo
Brooke

Donna @ Paisley and Perspective said...

Neat! I have family in Ucluelet, although I've never been. Makes me want to go...

Love the pups!

Unknown said...

Hi Michelle
It looks like a fun weekend. Ucluelet is definitely one of the most beautiful nature spots on this planet, and it has spawned some remarkable talent including you and your sons. Watch out world....here they come!!
Yummm on the lasagne, the dogs are the cutest (well next to my little Nicole), kudos to your Dad on the duct tape and twine.

Brillante Interiors said...

Fun, Food, Family, Friends...what a Fantastic Feast (fffffffff)

DesignTies said...

Ukee Days!! Love it!
Brian and I are SOOOO looking forward to returning to Ucluelet one day soon... hopefully during storm season! Thanks for sharing your special family photos. Enjoyed the little clip of your son's band!
Victoria

cotedetexas said...

how fun and beautiful too! your sons are adorable.

DesignTies said...

What a fantastic weekend you must have had with your family and friends :-) Looks like it was a blast for everyone!!

Kelly

Renée Finberg said...

what a wonderful time you had !

love the fotos.