Taking the Kids: When it rains on your planned adventure

There were also organized kids’ activities, cookouts, fly-fishing, go-karting and even a private island for water sports about 15 minutes away. And while the 36 tents spread out over six “camps” closed for the winter, there are 28 luxury homes, including a new area designed for couples (and romance), and a plethora of winter sports.

Paws Up may well be the most deluxe glamping destination in the country starting at $2,540 a night for a family of four in a two-bedroom tent. And with so many schools starting remotely, this may be the season for an end of summer or fall getaway. (September rates are less and there is a Summer Family Vacation Inclusive offer.)

The resort includes meals but charges for the various activities, which is why, staff said, guests typically don’t cancel when it rains — as it did the entire three days we visited. None of us let the weather deter us from hiking, horseback riding, ATVing to Garnet, Montana, a nearby well-preserved ghost town, getting soaked in the process.

There are also nanny services for babies, as well as one of the most unique spas I’ve seen, with services in tents.

Montana is famous for fly-fishing and we gave it a try, but as soon as our Paws Up fly-fish guide, Matt Spangler, looked at the muddy river water, he knew the score: the rain and muddy water means the fish can’t see the artfully made flies he has tied to our poles.

Still, he worked hard teaching us as we floated four miles or so down the Blackfoot River, getting colder and wetter, the fish nowhere to be found. At least we saw a nest full of ospreys and a bald eagle before Spangler suggested we quit.

The rain let up enough for the popular Chuck Wagon outdoor dinner, complete with archery and axe-throwing –very popular with the kids — and, of course, a singing cowboy. It was still damp and cold but such a feast — huge tomahawk steaks, cedar-planked grilled salmon, ribs and chicken, tofu and hotdogs for the kids all prepared over a big open fire and all varieties of sides — corn muffins and heirloom tomato salad, baked beans, corn on the cob, grilled veggies, cobbler and s’mores with all the fixings for dessert.

“The fun doesn’t stop because of a little rain,” said Paws Up executive chef Sunny Gin as he manned the steaks and ribs over the fire.

Afterward, we had planned to spend a little time at our Pinnacle Camp Pavilion where we could relax next to the giant fire, but the long day in the rain had taken its toll. A hot bath, yes, our cabin had a claw-foot bathtub! We collapsed in bed — happy we didn’t let the rain stop us — too much anyway.

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(For more Taking the Kids, visit www.takingthekids.com and also follow TakingTheKids on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram where Eileen Ogintz welcomes your questions and comments. The Kid’s Guide to Philadelphia, the 13th in the kid’s guide series, will be out this spring.)