With my New Year's Eve plans up in the air, I made the brilliant last-minute decision to join Reid in Aspen, where he is 'stuck' working for a few weeks. What was supposed to be a 24-hour visit turned into 72 hours. Aspen is not unlike Hotel California ...checking out is one thing but leaving is another. Aspen is a town so bursting with natural beauty that the locals have to adorn themselves, just to keep up with their glorious surroundings. The historic town is brimming with shiny, happy white people and unspeakably gorgeous scenery. Here's me at Aspen Furs, trying on a few things. As a struggling vegetarian, fur coats aren't going to be part of my wardrobe any time soon but I couldn't resist getting the feel.
I asked the proprietor if chinchilla still sold. "Sure," he said, "we just sold a chinchilla throw for $35,000."
That's right. A casual couch blanket the cost of a down payment on a house. Aspen has very little in common with the real world. New Year's Eve was so magical. A huge community bonfire was raging right in front of our hotel (the charming Mountain Chalet, family-owned for decades) on the rugby field. From there, we all watched the gorgeous fireworks light up the town, those black diamond slopes and the entire Aspen mountain.
We spent the rest of our time checking out a nearby ghost town (Ashcroft), drinking with Hunter S. Thompson's ghost at Woody Creek Tavern, watching other people exercise, exploring Explore bookstore and their incredible pescatarian restaurant above it, drinking vodka infused with Earl Grey at The Library in Hotel Jerome and hanging out in a very large hot tub.
We also checked out two new films, "Avatar" - an epic masterpiece that blew my mind so hard, I actually needed Excedrin to recover - and "Sherlock Holmes" - a rollicking good time which made us both grateful that Robert Downey, Jr. never did overdose. All in all, a perfect way to sweep out the old and welcome in the new.
11 comments:
That is an add feeling seeing you in a fur! And $35,000 is a down payment on a FEW HOUSES!!! Probably not enough for a down payment on any property in Aspen. sounds like a rollicking good time.
I love it you went the Woody Tavern. What was it like???
It was our second visit to Woody Creek Tavern - very different feel in summer. I took a few photos - will have to write a separate post about it. You could stare at all the stuff on the walls for hours.
My gosh. 35k. I bet the woman who bought it looks like she got caught in a wind tunnel, too.
That's hilarious! I'll bet you are dead right.
Wow. Sounds like a great time. Next time you are up that direction, try and check out the Monestary at Snowmass. We went every summer as a kid. A little different feel from the likes of Aspen.
Oooh, good tip! I just checked out the website and it looks peaceful and there's probably nothing for sale there, which is even better.
I'm with you on the fur/morality thing, but *damn* is that a hot looking coat. Did you get the recipe for that Earl Grey-infused vodka? That plus hot tub sounds equals totally dreamy to me right about now...mmmm.
The Earl Grey-infused vodka had quite a process and it involved instruments that nobody I know owns. The bartender had a chemistry degree, let's put it that way. The Library specializes in Prohibition Era drinks too - highly recommend it.
Did you also take a horse-driven sleigh ride, as pictured? This is one of my fantasties.
No, we did not. It was something like $25 just to go down the road or something. Maybe someday.
Awesome! It seems that you've really got a great time out there. I hope I could too. Thanks for sharing your experience to us! It was indeed worth to read. Keep it up and stay safe.
Reagan
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