One of the reasons we wheel is to have fun. Another is to enjoy the company of fun people who love to do what we love to do. That’s exactly what happened on Saturday July 24, 2010. We met at the Sundance Café just south of Nederland to enjoy a breakfast that was second to none. The weather was overcast, 55 degrees, so you couldn’t really see the beautiful mountains of the divide but it did lend a certain atmosphere to a Dead Guy Run! We had 7 jeeps when we headed for fuel in Nederland. Jerry and Laurie, George and Ann, Keith and Sharon, John Clark and friend Rick “didn’t know what he was in for” Groth, Blake Soukup, Matt Hawkins, and Larry “Eddie” Bauer with his best friend Dusty the wonder dog or “Dustinator”. While fueling up Jerry realized he had received a call from Vic Padilla but had no phone service. So we grabbed a land line in hopes Vic would get that. At 10:00 hrs. with gas tanks as full as our belly’s we headed off to meet the challenges that Middle St Vrain and Coney Flats had in store for us. It should be an easy day, what could go wrong?
As we approached the trail head with the Gundy’s in the lead and the Kennedy’s running tail gunner I heard someone trying to get a hold of Patrol 2 on channel 13. I said “Vic, is that you?” To which John Clark said, “No, It’s me.” I tried to raise Vic again, “Vic, is that you?” Again, with a little more insistence, John Clark responds “No, it’s me!”  This time I reach Vic. He is at the trail head fearing we had already left. He and his grandson (future jeeper) Marcos had also come out for fun. We all aired down, had our pre run meeting during which Vic said it was and easy trail. No one should have any trouble. What could possibly go wrong?
One of the goals set in the meeting was to find Timberland Falls. Located just two miles from the start of the trail it should be an easy find and something fun to hunt. A quest if you will. WELL, after stops and after asking other wheelers and hikers we ran through the forest and saw some beautiful areas of the Middle St. Vrain Creek but alas, No water fall. I think Marcos and I found it but thought it was too small to be our thousand foot high waterfall. In fact the four foot drop in the creek was probably the falls. Oh well.
The next goal was to find a suitable site for lunch. Matt’s stomach was causing many of us to listen to our engines to see if anything was wrong with them. Finally after many rocks ( 13:10 to be exact) and much rough terrain we hit the end of the Middle St. Vrain and found a walk bridge with the stream rushing beneath. A shady spot in the trees made for an excellent lunch spot. As we chowed down we cussed and discussed the many topics currently on the web site. Music, younger jeepers, and the fact that Jerry is stuck as our leader (this was the cussing part) for ever.  
With lunch down it was time (14:10) (OK, subtract 12:00 from anything over 12:59 to get civilian time) to find out what lay before us on the Coney Flats trail. This would take us a little farther south of where we took the trail head at Camp Dick. A few more rocks, some beautiful scenery and a couple of shallow ponds and we’re home free. What could go wrong?
As we approached the “wide stream” you could feel the excitement building in the air. You could also hear someone shouting “Let’s see some waves!” The challenge was on, the gauntlet was thrown. It was make waves or forever carry a European shoulder bag around. The first jeep went through with the water rippling like a pebble had been tossed in. The next jeep made a little more wave. That was it. 
An hour and a half later we were on the pavement heading to Nederland. Shortly after we got on the road we got caught in a traffic jam caused by a motorcyclist and passenger who didn’t fair very well on one of the corners. Two medevac choppers were summoned to take the unfortunate riders for more definitive help. Another lesson on the fragility of life and how good we have it.
Well, we got John, his friend Rick, and the “Doberman” back to Nederland, John called AAA for assistance. When we inquired as to where we could find the finest sustenance in this eclectic little mountain town we were directed to the First St Pub. Another fine dining choice. Burgers, nachos , pizza and Guinness on tap were just what we needed after our ride. John's pizza arrived the same time AAA did, so John threw down a $20 bill and headed out. Rick boxed up some pizza and took it to John for his ride with the tow truck driver then negeociated a ride down with Larry "Eddie "Bauer. After more cussing and discussing we decided we had just enough fun for one day. As for the Frozen Dead Guy, he was discussed but we figured we had pressed our luck enough for one day. So off we all headed with full bellys and the smell of wet "Doberman" dog  to our safe homes in the burbs to dream of another easy run in the mountains. After all, what could go wrong?