To me "rustic elegance" is an oxymoron. But Paws Up, Dave and Nadine Lipson's Montana resort, makes me think it is possible for luxury and the wilderness to coexist in style. For dog lovers, the resort's Wine & Bitch weekend (November 14-16) looks like the perfect chance to experience this sylvan Shangri-La and see for yourselves.
The Cookshack (my kind of shack)
Accommodations (my kind of camping)
The Wine & Bitch Weekend will feature the following events:
Fashion show
Wellness seminar
Spa treatments
Dog parade
Hand-made dog treats
Gourmet human treats
Paws Up will also provide doggie bowls, a doggie bed, a collar and leash, a dog toy, and biodegradable pick-up bags.
Now, for the wine…Chris and Brenda Lynch will be pouring wines from their dog-friendly Mutt Lynch Winery on both nights. Friday evening is a ‘welcome’ wine tasting for all guests. And a Saturday will be a winemaker dinner featuring their current releases; 2006 Unleashed Chardonnay, 2006 Portrait of a Mutt Zinfandel, 2006 Merlot Over and Play Dead, and their very limited production, single vineyard Canis Major wines (the BIG DOGS, as Chris calls them).
Portrait of a Mutt 2006 Zinfandel
The resort also offers endless activities for two and four legged guests including fly-fishing in the famed Blackfoot River, snowmobiling, equestrian excursions, mountain biking, guided wilderness adventures, sleigh rides and cross country skiing.
My favorite activity would be a trip to Spa Town, a tent city on the edge of a meadow devoted to relaxation.
Meet me at Spa Town
The Blackfoot River made famous by Norman Maclean's A River Runs Through It and Brad Pitt
The resort also boasts two 5-star restaurants, and PUGS, the Paws Up General Store, offering Montana-made luxury goods and Paws Up apparel.
The Lipsons originally named their resort Paws Up for the wild excitement of their dogs pawing the air to greet visitors, and 10 years later they seem as committed as ever to maintaining that excitement, offering guests and their dogs a magical retreat where everyone feels like a pampered pup for as long as they choose to stay. Perfect!
Hurry. I'm late for my massage!
To make a reservation for the Wine & Bitch Weekend at Paws Up visit their website.