Hawgs and Paws 2006

The temperature was over 100 degrees July 21-23, but the crowd of 80 plus gathered in the mountains of beautiful northwest Montana for good times with fellow bike and animal enthusiasts. Bikes started rolling in Friday afternoon and by 6 p.m. the food was being consumed and the kegs were tapped. Participants came from Victoria British Columbia, Alberta, Montana, Idaho, and Washington. By 9 p.m. the music on the porch was rocking and bouncing off the surrounding mountains, serenading the wildlife as well as the crowd.

Saturday morning brought pancakes, eggs, and sausage and the group headed out on the 140 mile poker run through the most scenic country around, including Lake Pend Oreille and the picturesque Cabinet Mountains. At well over 100 degrees, the creek at the Halfway House near Bull Lake provided a cold refuge for the riders and they were lined up taking advantage of the cold water, boots on and all!

Saturday night there was more great food and rocking music, with the camaraderie evident and dancing in the shadows of the Montana mountains. There were lots of giveaways, a 50/50 raffle, and live auction where competition for items was hot. Sunday morning brought promises of returning next year and bringing friends and keeping in touch with new found friends as bikes started rolling out.

The event raised more than $4500 for the Kootenia Pets for Life shelter in Troy, Montana. They are a 100% volunteer no-kill shelter in desperate need of a better facility. They literally wrap the building in plastic in the winter to try and keep the animals warm. All proceeds of Hawgs and Paws go to their building fund.

You can see pictures of this year’s event at www.hawgsandpaws.org. T-shirts are still available, you can get yours by emailing ccolvin@earthlink.net.