January 4, 2013
-
Frozen Dead Guy
In 1989, a young man named Trygue from Norway came to Nederland, CO with his grandfather. His grandfather on ice, that is. You see, Trygve’s grandpa (Grandpa Bredo) was a big believer in cryogenics and was convinced that if frozen, he could easily be resurrected once that technology became available. Being a better than average grandson, Trygve honored that wish and froze Grandpa Bredo and brought him with him on his travels. Trygve kept Grandpa in the shed out back of his house on ice until he was deported in 1994. The officials would not allow him to bring his icy grandpa with him, and also wouldn’t allow him to be buried. The law is shady when it comes to transporting frozen dead men in and out of the country, so until both countries come to an agreement, Grandpa Bredo will remain in his chilly Tuff Shed.
Every year the town of Nederland celebrates Frozen Dead Guy days in March. Here is a list of events:
- Coffin races
- A slow-motion parade
- “Frozen Dead Guy” look alike contests
- A tour of the Tuff Shed where Grandpa is still frozen
- A “polar plunge” for those brave enough to go swimming in Colorado in early March (which generally requires breaking through the ice)
- A dance, called “Grandpa’s Blue Ball”
- Pancake breakfasts
- A market showcasing local artists
- Snowshoe races, and
- Snow sculpture contests.
Nederland has 1300 residents and is at 8230 ft elevation. I go to Nederland often as they a beautiful lake:
An awesome coffee shop:
And of course, the 4th of July Trailhead.
They call it the 4th of July for a reason, you can’t get to the trailhead before then with 4 wheel drive. I tried on Memorial Day once, after weeks of 80 degree weather in town, to be stuck in nearly three feet of snow. I am a quick study though, and only tried once!
I love Nederland, and if all works out well, I hope to move there in a couple of years. Keep your fingers crossed for me, and I will send you a photo of the corpse-sickle on top of the mountain!
Comments (40)
I don’t even want to know the lyrics to Grandpa’s Blue Ball.
@blonde_apocalypse - Ha! I will post them in March, after I go. I didn’t find them posted anywhere online
Beautiful place. The lake reminds me of the Maroon Bells.
@Roadkill_Spatula - I don’t know Maroon Bells, but I will look it up now. It is a beautiful place, indeed.
I spent two summers in Aspen, 30 years ago. The Maroon Bells are a two-hour bike ride away, a couple of lovely mountains that look similar to those in your photo.
@Roadkill_Spatula -I should have known, Maroon Peaks.. Those are 14ers, did you have to climb them to see the lake?
The lake is breathtaking.
I’ve been there! Drove through on our way to Boulder and tried to stop for dinner, but it was almost 8, and everything closed at 8 so they wouldn’t seat us, understandably. Now I wish we’d been there during the day, looks like fun!
@BoulderChristina - The lake view was a short hike from the road. I climbed partway up the base of one of the peaks and found a waterfall in a small valley. Pictures are in a box in my garage. I was wearing flip-flops, which took a beating with all the shattered rock.
That kind of sounds awesome!
You made me smile dear heart
That lake pic is gorgeous. I have seen that diner before, perhaps on tv.
You can’t make this stuff up. The coffin races sound cool…no pun intended. I think Grandpa from The Munsters had a hot rod coffin. I wonder if anyone dresses up like him for the occasion.
Slow motion parade made me laugh.
Very interesting! I would want to be frozen in a special ice coffin too. Who knows … perhaps there is an advance technology that can revive me again. And I am still intact if they did not any stupid autopsy on me! LOL
Now you’ve got me thinking about coffin races. I wonder if they place an open cemetery gate to arch over the finish line. Boy if only I was on the committee.
@Thatslifekid -Isn’t it? It doesn’t matter what the weather or time of day is, it is always stunning! Hey lady, how have you been??
@thegirlwiththecamera - I wish you had been there earlier, too! It’s funny how towns like that roll up their carpet when the sun goes down.
@Roadkill_Spatula - Now you have inspired me to go check that out, thank you!
@aSeriesofFortunateEvents - It is! I will post many pics of the festival!
@SisterMae - And that is no small feat lately, so I am glad, Mae
@hombre_de_la_mancha - It may have been on there? It’s a neat little place and still sells candy unwrapped in wooden barrels. It feels great in that old train car. Nice to see you again!
@amygwen - Hehe, the dead aren’t in a hurry apparently!
@SherryAngeLMysteriez - You are a brave one! I wouldn’t want to be frozen for the tiny little chance that I may feel cold. I hate cold! Thanks so much for swinging by, it’s so good to see you enjoying yourself here on Xanga!
@TheSutraDude - I think you would have a ball with this! Now that you mention the Munsters, I bet he is all over during March. I had nearly forgotten about him, but now I will be on the lookout. I promise to take a ton of pics for you and post them here on Xanga. The town is so tiny and.. odd? I am not sure if I have even seen a cemetery, maybe they keep all of their relatives in sheds?? Haha!
this…THIS is so right up my alley. I must go one day.
@Erika_Steele - Ha! Look me up when you do!
what a cool town! I googled their homepage. now I want to visit there. I need a roadtrip. haven’t been out of the state in a few years.
Grandpa’s Blue Ball. ha!
j.
and it only has a population of 1337 people. yes!
the lake photo is breathtaking
i like this idea–coffin races
happy new year
@plantinthewindow - I hope you make it up!
@bonmots - Happy New Year to you, lady!
That town sounds awesome! Can I come visit you when you move there?
hahaha that sounds like a fun celebration
I’m sure it’s all in good fun but, can you imagine the poor son’s distress at having to leave his dad behind after tending the body so carefully for so long? He needs to revive tho old guy; then La Migra will pay his air fare home (or at least to Tijuana).
I love it! Like Halloween in March.
That lake is beyond description. I am not surprised you want to move there.
@T0m03 - Anytime!
@godfatherofgreenbay - I will post pics when we go!
@judyrutrider - You are right, I guess it’s so much part of the culture that I never stopped to look at it like that.
Wouldn’t it be ironic if they revived him right before the celebration?
@distractedbyzombies - Isn’t it amazing?? I remember how full of awe I was when I first visited there. It’s one of those places that keep you grateful, the awe doesn’t wear off!