Family Vacation Just Got Real

Family Vacation Just Got Real

I am not a travel blogger by any stretch of the imagination. But as a busy mom and entrepreneur with a to-do list that’s about a mile long, I welcome a family vacation that really is an escape from our regular life.

Our week at Resort at Paws Up in Montana was truly an exceptional family vacation.

I brought my 2 younger boys, ages 16 and 13, and we spent nearly a week “glamping” (my kind of camping) in a fancy tent that was equipped with not only a full bathroom (with 2 sinks, heated floors, and a heated towel rack), but also a chandelier, an incredibly comfortable King-sized bed, and a separate room for the boys with 2 twin beds.

All our meals were delicious and healthy, and were included in the cost of the stay, so I never had to worry about paying the dinner bill. My growing teenage boys could gorge on as much food as they wanted at every meal. The boys especially enjoyed the chocolate chip pancakes at breakfast (I may have had a bite too).

After dinner each night, we spent hours sitting around the campfire with new friends we made, looking at the stars, listening to the sounds of the Blackfoot River roaring by, eating s’mores, telling stories, and laughing.

The real reason my family wanted to check out Paws Up was the outdoor activities, many of which we don’t have the opportunity to enjoy at home in the suburbs of New York city.

We channeled our inner Katniss Everdeen and checked out the archery course.

We rode horses on gorgeous trails. It was both boys’ first time on a horse!

We took a rafting trip down the Blackfoot River and took in the gorgeous scenery. We even hit a few rapids!

Other highlights: we rode ATV’s for hours all over the enormous property, and we learned how to shoot clays in a very safe and supportive environment. I won’t be joining the NRA anytime soon, but it was fun for an afternoon!

Some moments were just for enjoying the scenery. This was the view from our campsite:

The best part about this family vacation is that I know my boys and I will never forget it. From the outdoor activities to the scenery to the starry nights around the campfire, we enjoyed every moment.

If you’re interested in a dude ranch vacation with your family, I highly recommend the Resort at Paws Up in Montana. My boys and I can’t wait to go back again.

Again, I am not a travel blogger. I paid for our trip myself and was not compensated in any way for this post.