Polo Player Paradise

I don't know much about horse polo, but Harmony is quite the fanatic. However, hard to know if the interest is in the sport, the horses, or the polo players?

Regardless, we definitely attended the annual Aspen Snow Polo Championship last week. It was held in Marolt Park, just outside town. When we got there, we immediately noticed the insane amount of attractive men there. Polo players, polo fans, family members, models, you name it.

We walked through the tented area to see the horses, and a photographer from Florida stopped us. We became her models, holding up merchandise and posing with polo players. Obvi, we were not complaining one bit.

On our way back to the tent (rather the bar), we saw Nacho Figueras, a very famous Argentinian polo player who models for Ralph Lauren. Harmony went crazy since she knew who he was. Then I laid eyes on him...too bad he's married.

Then we saw Nick Roldan, another very well known polo player and model from Palm Beach, Florida. We all went crazy (of course staying composed). Let's just say we were amongst 2 of polo's 10 hottest horseman. NBD.

During our long conversation with Nick, he invited us to their party at the St. Regis hotel that night. That just tipped the excitement overboard. Party with the polo players too?! What a day. This Aspen adventure is far beyond what I imagined.

Ski Season Starts!

We may not have much snow, but 3 of the 4 mountains in Aspen are (partially) open now! I have been up 5 days so far, about 3 days more than the number of ski days I got in each of the past 4 seasons. I think that is a pretty good start! The first ski day was on Snowmass, a 30 minute bus ride from Aspen. Then Aspen Mountain opened, and my life changed. It is just so convenient to take a 5 minute bus ride to the gondola and head on up to 11,000 feet.

If you were not already aware, living at the base of the mountain is AWESOME. On work days, I can catch a 9 or 10am gondola, ski for 3 hours, go home and shower, then clock in at 3. It is such a perfect schedule. I am SPOILED.

The views coming down the mountain are breathtaking. You look out on town and the snow-capped 14'ers. It is especially incredible on the blue-bird sky days, which are pretty easy to come by out here. The goggle tan is coming along great.


















Hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season!

Thanksgiving!!!

As my favorite holiday approached, I was worried it was going to be really hard to be away from home and family on Thanksgiving. I was sad at the thought of not cooking all day, sitting around a big table, and being surrounded by my loved ones. I dreaded the fact that I had to work.

Luckily, the Tuesday before Thanksgiving and my day off, I was invited to a big Thanksgiving potluck hosted by some of the chefs from the restaurant I work at. Lots of Little Nell employees came bearing a unique dish. There were dishes ranging from dolmadas, green chile sour cream dip, and onion quiche, to the more traditional mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, turkey, and stuffing.


Harmony and I got there early and got to witness the highlight of the evening: frying a turkey. A couple chefs set up a portable burner in the driveway with a largest pot of oil I have ever seen on top. Once the vegetable oil got hot enough, it was time to drop the turkey in. Suspended by a coat hanger that was attached to a ski pole, 2 chefs lowered a very large bird into the pot to sizzle. It was a success!

And yes, there was blackened turkey. One of the chefs brought it in and scared everyone away. But as 7pm approached and plates became overrated, we were curious and dug in like vultures. It was the best turkey I have ever had! Juicy, smokey, and so tender. It tasted so good off my fingers too. It was incredible!

Harmony and I brought a chocolate pecan pie for dessert. There was so much food, no one had room for pie so we ended up taking home the entire thing. I guess I got some leftovers!

So it was a different Thanksgiving, but a good one. I was surrounded by new friends, good food, and lots of happiness. I think being away from home for this holiday season will be okay after all, starting new traditions and having adventures. Aspen is great.

Happy holidays everyone!