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At that point in
time, Nederland was not good-natured about Morstoel and wanted to
bury him. However, though Bauge was an ocean way, he
kept the "fight”
alive via Internet communications.
Bauge aggresively
publicized the problem in posts on cryogenics websites and e-mail
lists. Eventually, cryogenics was explained to the Nederland town
fathers and Grandpa remained in the shed.
The town
finally decided to give in and make a celebration of "Grandpa.”
The shed,
falling apart, was soon replaced by a building donated by Tuff Shed
and a the Denver Fox radio station. Morstoel
now
rests in
an ice-encased aluminum casket enclosed in a large wooden crate stored
in the shed. Bo "The Iceman" Shaffer, an environmental consultant, is
Grandpa's current custodian. Shaffer became acquainted with Bauge
eight through internet communications. Once a month, Shaffer
and two workers take three-quarters of a ton of dry ice from Denver to
Nederland, open the homemade freezer box, fill it with the ice, check Morstoel's status, and then seal the shed back up again.
Not
only did the town "give in”, but they wound up making a festival, of
the entire affair. Now, Nederland celebrates Frozen Dead Guy
Days in the late Winter every year. According to the Nederland
Visitors Center, the public response has been
been "enthusiastic
and near-frenzied beyond our wildest expectations." Nederland
came a long way from passing a special ordinance in an attempt to
remove the body to holding a big festival in Grandpa’s honor.
Grandson,
Tyrgve Bauge, is
in favor of the festival, as a portion of the proceeds are directed
towards Morstoel's maintenance. The festival includes a tour of
"Grandpa's Shed," a "Grandpa Look-Alike contest," the Polar Plunge,
Coffin Races, and much more.
Nederland is located in western Boulder County, about 20 minutes west
of Boulder and an hour and a half from Denver. Located at the
crossroads of State Highways 119 and 72, the small town is near the
center of the Peak-to-Peak Scenic Historic Byway. Nearby is
Eldora Ski Area, dude ranches, fishing, cambing, biking, hiking and
horse back riding.
Central
City and
Black Hawk are just another thirty minute drive.
©
Kathy Weiser/Legends
of America, updated January, 2009 |
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