Montana, majestic Montana - a state I had never visited before. When I was thinking of a family vacation six months ago, I pondered about the type of experience an adventure stylist like myself should plan. A dude ranch first came to mind. After extensive research, I landed upon a luxury ranch resort called, Paws Up located in Greenough, Montana.
I wanted our trip to be an out-of-the-box adventure, so we all jumped in paws first! There’s nothing like learning something new, whether it takes your breath away or increases your adrenaline. It’s always a good idea to keep your mind fresh by trying new and exciting things! And new and exciting it was!
The Paws Up property spans over 37,000 acres offering a variety of adventure activities to all its’ resort guests. Our first activity was an ATV ride. I was the only one in the group who hadn’t been on an ATV before (out-of-the-box experience #1) so I was eager to get my thrill on. Ha! We were equipped with a helmet if we rolled over and a buff if we inhaled too much dust and dirt. Sounds fun, right? It was a blast! I won’t lie though, it took a lot of upper body strength to maneuver the vehicle around the curvy turns and over the rocky and hilly terrain in the wilderness! It was nuts! The best part was that we were able to see so much of the Paws Up property and got a good sense of what picturesque Montana was like. Needless to say, we all came back with dirt on our faces and with smiles a mile wide. It was an amazing “out-of-my-comfort” zone adventure!
The resort at full capacity is 250 people. That means there are 148 acres per guest! Talk about solitude and serenity. Paws Up is a very exclusive and quiet place. Most of our activities were private with a guide. Our instructional advice was one-on-one and we learned a ton!
Can we talk about the food at Paws Up? It is fresh ranch-to-table exquisite cuisine. Executive Chef Ben Jones sources local food and welcomes guest chefs with James Beard Awards to the resort. The fresh air and the fresh food multiplied the pounds. :) But who cares, the food was extraordinary and it was a trip of a lifetime!
For most guests who go to a dude ranch, the best seat at the resort is on the saddle. Not for me! Ha! I tried, I really tried to like horseback riding but you know, it just didn’t stick. In fact, I almost flew over the horses’ head when it ate its’ first blade of grass. Those horses are so strong! No trotting or galloping for me! It was back to the stable. But if you’re a fan of equine sports, it’s yeehaw for you!
At Paws Up, the lodging is unique, rustic and elegant. A resort guest can choose to stay in a home or in a tent. It’s not just a pup tent, it’s a fully furnished tent with heated floors and marble bathrooms! Some of these tents are nestled near the Blackfoot River so you can be soothed by the babbling of the water. Glamping at its’ best! We decided to stay in the meadow home conveniently located near the Wilderness Post where you meet for all the activities and in walking distance to the trough, ahem, the food! Our home was decorated in a western style and our back view was of breathtaking Montana pine and the meadow. That was our serene time!
There were many incredible adventures I could write about, but why don’t you Just Ask me and I’ll help you plan an adventure of a life time!
Wrangler Robin’s new way of saying, “High Five” is now “Paws Up!”
