PAWS UP REPORT
from Ange's trip Summer 2009
The drive from Missoula to Paws Up is an understated prelude to your arrival at the 32,000 plus acre ranch. As you descend from your transfer van, the slow easy ambiance begins to permeate whatever your mood is at arrival. The expansive pasture lands, punctuated by the dotted patterns of cattle grazing, draw your eye and quiet your soul. Beyond the grassy pastures are pine forests, rolling hills and finally mountain peaks.
The reception area immediately evokes a sense of place. Leather, wood and stone combine with quality accent pieces to remind you that you are in cattle country.
Registration is quick, easy and friendly. You leave with a folio including all pertinent information, your personalized itinerary of pre-booked activities and a bellman to whisk you away to your chosen accommodations.
If you have chosen TENT CITY or RIVER CAMP, you have an interesting ride out to camp. The tents lend a bit of artistry to their surroundings. They are large and comfortable and private. “Glamping” is the word invented by Paws Up to describe the experience here! Each tent has its own assigned, lockable bathroom. The bathroom facility rivals that of any 5 star resort and it's all yours for your stay. Laundry rooms are available in camp as well!
In the camps you take breakfast and dinner in your own dining tent prepared by your own camp chef. Lunch is available at the “Trough” in the main activity area. This is because you are likely to be closest to that restaurant between activities and the restaurant is near the Wilderness Outpost, the departure point for the activities.
You will also have your own camp butler. He will facilitate any needs or requests; arrange transportation to and from activities and answer any questions. He will also likely become your newest best friend! In the tented camps, your transportation is provided by bellmen and you are easily moved around the ranch at your whim!
If you choose a home stay, some things are a bit different. Your home will be provided with electric golf carts or cars depending on the type of home chosen. These are yours for the duration of your sta. You may call for bellman transportation from any point on the ranch any time you prefer. The homes also evoke a keen sense of place, amazing attention to detail and genuine comfort. Amenities vary a bit among the different categories of homes but include flat screen satellite and wireless TV’s, full kitchens, wonderful bath facilities, and working fire places.
When staying in a home, breakfast and lunch are taken at the “Trough”. Dinner is in the fine dining venue “Pomp”. Attire, even in “Pomp”, is ranch casual. At any meal, if you prefer, dinner can be ordered into your home at no additional charge.
The choice of activities is as diverse as you can imagine. Some of the most popular are ATV tours of the ranch from an hour and a half to five hours. Even if you have never seen an ATV, within ten minutes of starting you will be racing around pastures, through forests, beside rivers and having a blast!
Trail rides ranging from an hour to all day are a wonderful way to connect with the amazingly well conditioned and well behaved ranch horses. You also get to see nooks and crannies on the ranch and wildlife too!
River rafting is not to be missed whether you have rafted before or are a novice. You will love this ride down the Blackfoot River.
Spa – this is a wonderful tented spa during the warmer months. You will love the massage (I would personally recommend Laura but a companion on my trip said Eric was very accomplished as well). While on the table, your masseuse will open the tent flaps for an awesome view, gentle breeze and gentle sounds of the tent flapping. There is a full workout tent in Spa City as well.
Rappelling, trapshooting, chuck wagon rides, gold mining, hiking, fly fishing and so much more is available. And for those with a golf addict in their midst, there is golf available about 15 minutes away.
When the time comes to leave, I am betting you won't want to! So, I highly recommend you check next years calendar and consider booking your next trip before you leave. John
Romfo has arranged a program whereby, if you rebook before you leave, he will arrange a 20% discount for your next stay! And, no worries, they will notify your personal travel advisor of your booking. We will collaborate to customize your next stay to include your favorites and maybe add a thing or two to surprise and delight you!