The Last Ride at Paws Up

On tap for today was supposed to be an ATV ride and clay pigeon shooting. Instead, my day included an ATV ride and a ride to the Emergency Room (45 minutes away). After my ATV flipped over on top of me, pinning me up against another ATV, I was checked out by the "wilderness first response team" (which at the time I was told were EMTs, but later found out they are more like Boy Scouts). Paws Up was kind enough to have one of their concierge staff drive me to the hospital (I haven't been charged for that--yet...) and food delivered to my room. Paws Up gets a gold star here --actually Katie, the concierge gets it. She was absolutely wonderful. The entire staff could learn a lot from this young lady.

Termite Wings, Dirt, and Slug O My!

Note: I was invited to experience Paws Up Resort in Missoula, Montana on a meeting planners FAM. (i.e., be wined and dined so I bring groups/events/conferences to their venue)

Allegiant Air flies three times a week to MSO from LAX: Monday, Wednesdays, Fridays at 6am. Yippeee!  So upon arriving at MSO, the staff picks you up and 45 minutes later you arrive at the Ranch: a 37,000 acres ranch in the middle of nowhere Montana. I'm sure they were aware of my 9:25am arrival, so I'm unsure why my room wasn't ready until 4pm...but that's ok. I was given a tour of the property and prepared for the big "Montana Grillers Weekend." Couples were spending $5K+ for this weekend, and here I was experiencing it! My "estate" was huge...and I was so happy to see a large jacuzzi soaking tub in my bathroom. I eagerly filled it with hot water anticipating a relaxing, hot bath before dinner. Upon turning on the jacuzzi jets, termite wings, dirt and slug spew out of the jets. Nice. Clearly no one cleaned the jacuzzi in months...welcome to Paws Up, Dear Meeting Planner. Please bring all your high level executives here. It's only $1500/night lodging...termite wings and slug included.

Plan B: A hot shower. The shower was huge--complete with two rainfall shower heads and enough room for 6 people to shower. Oops...no hot water?  Really.