Buckskinners descend on Fawn Creek
With a flash and a cloud of smoke, a flintlock shooter touches off a round at the Two Rivers Rendezvous. (Photo by Paul Sievers)
By GWEN ALBERS Western News Reporter
Some 400 people survived the weekend's 100-plus degree days while attending Two Rivers Rendezvous at Fawn Creek Campground on Fisher River Road.
The annual gathering of modern day mountain men, women and children hosted by Kootenai Muzzleloaders included 190 competitors in rifle and pistol trail shoots, hawk and knife trail events, fun shoots, the mountain man run, peewee and junior activities, and more.
The event is similar to the rendezvous from the early 1800s. During the fur trade era in the Rocky Mountain west, rendezvous was an annual gathering during the summer for fur trappers to trade pelts for supplies and money. The days included socialization, trading, making new business deals, games, races, gambling, drinking and much more.
Kootenai Muzzleloaders has hosted the rendezvous at Fawn Creek for 11 years.
"It's just a great gathering," said Charlotte Morain of Libby, who headed up registration for the event. "You get to go back to a simpler time."
"You can leave your rifle somewhere and it will still be there three days later unless it rains and then someone will pick it up for you," added Libby's Emily Pauley.
Participants from Florida, Washington, George, Idaho, Arizona, Wisconsin, California, Oregon and Canada wore time-period clothing and camped using era-authentic gear.
Carrie Saagim of Puyallup, Wash., noted the Rendezvous is family oriented.
"It's important for children at a young age to participate (so the tradition continues)," said Saagim.
The rendezvous also served as a family reunion for black powder shooters Sue and Bob Kamena of Libby. The Kamenas' four children, three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren participated and celebrated the Kamenas' 50th wedding anniversary.
"This is our compound," said Sue Kamena pointing to two fifth-wheel campers, a teepee, a wall tent and four nylon tents where the family spent their nights.
Ashley Sharp, 15, of Libby who annually accompanies her father, Dan, participated in the black powder shooting competition.
"I like black powder shooting," said Sharp, whose mountain man name is Little Golden Turtle.
A junior at Libby High School, she was 6 years old when she began going to the Rendezvous. For her 7th birthday - at her request - Ashley Sharp got a black powder rifle.
"I wanted to compete," she said.
Top winners for the events were Gary Beal of Troy and Kay Sims of Kalispell for the women.