Der Ring des Nibelungen LbNA #44291
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Add Location| Owner: | Adoptable |
|---|---|
| Plant date: | Oct 26, 2008 |
| Location: | |
| City: | Lake Forest |
| County: | Lake |
| State: | Illinois |
| Boxes: | 4 |
| Planted by: | Lock, Shock & Barrel  |
|---|---|
| Found by: | shooting starz |
| Last found: | Nov 24, 2018 |
| Status: | FFFFFFOFFFF |
| Last edited: | Oct 26, 2008 |
Letterbox Name: Der Ring des Nibelungen
Location: Lake Forest, IL
Distance: 3.5 miles
Hello, fellow wanderer! I am Wotan and mine is a long story, with much to tell. Indeed, so much to tell that Richard Wagner once wrote a “cycle” of four operas that endeavor to tell the story of Ring of the Nibelung – how it was made, how it was used and misused, and how its destruction brought about the age of mankind, and twilight of the gods. But long before those events, I wandered the earth. And I’ll wander with you now, and tell you my tale, and perhaps we’ll uncover treasures along the way.
We’ll begin our walk at Elawa Farm, walking toward the Middlefork Savanna trailhead, and turning right to follow the gravel path northward, toward the woods and the water. And as you follow the trail toward the first of many bridges, I’ll tell you my tale.
Das Rheingold
-------------
Long, long ago, the singing waters of the rivers were more than a poet’s fine description. In those days, it was the lovely Rhinemaidens who sang playfully beneath the waves. It was their task to protect the Rheingold, and make certain that it did not fall into the hands of those who would use it for ill purposes. One day, the three Rhinemaidens were discovered by Alberich, a dwarf who desired them greatly. But they teased him and taunted him, and provoked him to anger. He learned of the Rheingold, and forsook love in order to take it for himself. He used the Rheingold to forge a ring of power, which would allow him to exert his will over the living.
It was during this time that Valhalla, a home for the gods, was being constructed. I had tricked two giants, Fasolt and Fafner, into building this home, with no real intent of paying them the price they’d asked. They had demanded that, as payment, they be handed Freia, the youngest and most beautiful of the goddesses, and the one who grew the fruit that allowed the gods to retain their immortal youth. My friend Loge mentioned the Ring that Alberich had made, and the giants lusted after that power. I offered them the Ring in place of Freia, and they quickly accepted. So Loge and I traveled to confront Alberich, and we stole the Ring from the dwarf. But as we left him, he laid a curse on the Ring; anyone who did not possess the Ring would desire it, and anyone who possessed it would receive only unhappiness and death.
When the giants returned to claim the Ring, I did not wish to give it over to them. I hesitated, but the earth opened at my feet and Erda, and the wise and ancient earth goddess, arose before me. She urged me to let go of the ring, and I eventually did so, giving the Ring to the giants.
So walk with me once more, and we’ll seek our first treasure. Cross the black and tan bridge and see a second bridge on your right. Walk on until you reach a grassy path, with a sign that forbids that hounds go any further. At that signpost, take a compass bearing of 220 degrees and look into the distance. You’ll see the path as it bends, and just beyond that, a grove of trees. At 220 degrees, there stands an oak that you must reach. So follow the grassy path as it veers southward, and stop when you reach a place where, on your right-hand side, there lie the fallen trunks of less sturdy trees. Walk 30 paces to the west, toward the oak that hides your prize. There are two holes at the base of the tree, which will be a sure sign to any experienced wanderer. It is there, close to the earth, that Erda awaits.
When you’ve seen her, and read her advice, replace her, hidden deep within the bottom of the tree.
Once the giants had claimed the Ring, Fafner, in his desire to have the Ring to himself, killed Fasolt, and went back to his woodland den. I was saddened to have parted with the Ring, and could scarcely ponder anything but my wish to reclaim it somehow. But there were reasons for rejoicing. Freia was returned to us, we gods had our new home, and we crossed a rainbow bridge that spanned the sky, ascending to Valhalla.
And so our goal, my fellow wanderer, is to walk toward the rainbow bridge that will lead us to our next treasure. Rejoin the grassy path and follow it over another black and tan bridge. You will come once more to the gravel path, and I bid you turn right. Walk southward, toward Melody Farm, and the Southern Loop Trail. You will traverse a mile before you reach the loop, but beware! Do not turn right when you first reach the loop. Rather, walk on until you see the stone bridge shaped like a rainbow on your left. When you reach it, turn back in the direction from whence you came. You are now ready to search for Brunnhilde, the Valkyrie.
Die Walküre - The Valkyrie
--------------------------
Walk with me onward a short way, and I’ll tell you the next part of the story. My desire for the Ring was not set aside when I entered into Valhalla with my fellow gods. No, I tried to come up with ideas that would allow me to once again possess the Ring without breaking my oath to the giant Fafner.
But the curse worked its magic, guiding me and my offspring toward death and destruction. My twin children, Siegmund and Sieglinde, were separated from one another as children. Siegmund grew to become a hunter and warrior, although he was shunned by the villages of men. Sieglinde grew tall and fair, but became the wife a brute named Hunding. Fate threw the two of them back together after years of separation and they felt an instant bond. But they mistook feelings of filial love for something more amorous. And though they realized that they were the closest of kin, they loved one another as a husband and a wife.
Hunding challenged Siegmund to a fight, and Siegmund drew his sword, Nothung. It was destined that Siegmund would die, and that my plans to raise a warrior that might defeat Fafner would end with his life.
As Hunding and Siegmund prepared for battle, the Valkyries began to course across the sky. Nine beauties, born of a union in ancient times between me and wise Erda, they were the shieldmaidens of the gods. It was their sacred duty to carry the bodies of warriors fallen in battle back to Valhalla, where they could feast and live among the gods. They were led by Brunnhilde, and she knew her duty well.
But enough of my talk. You’ve come to find treasure, and here we stand at the west end of the bridge. Turn northward, and walk a short way until you come to an intersection in the trail. At the intersection, turn left and walk 75 steps along the trail, into the woods. When you come to the 75th step, take a compass bearing of 238 degrees, and look across the glade to a fallen tree, with its once-proud top pointing in a southwesterly direction. Reach into the fallen tree to find Brunnhilde.
Yes, stamp in and rehide. But do take a moment to look at her. See her well, for this is the image of her in happier times. Times when she knew her duty, and did not deign to disobey the will of her father…
Recall that Brunnhilde was on her way to the place where Siegmund and Hunding were preparing to fight. It was her honor to carry the slain body of Siegmund to Valhalla. She told Siegmund that he was to die, and go to Valhalla. But he refused her, saying that if Sieglinde could not be with him, he did not desire the kingdom of the gods. She was impressed by his love and his bravery, and forsook her duty. She agreed to protect Siegmund in his fight.
And with Brunnhilde’s blessing, Siegmund nearly overpowered Hunding. But I was bound by honor and a promise to my wife, the goddess Fricka, to punish Siegmund and Sieglinde for their love. I stepped in, and broked Siegmund’s sword with my spear. Disarmed, he fell to Hunding. Sieglinde and Brunnhilde fled, carrying the shards of Siegmund’s sword with them. And I set out to find and punish Brunnhilde for her disobedience.
When I arrived, I found that Brunnhilde had sent Sieglinde away, carrying the shards of the sword with her. She had protected Sieglinde, who was now pregnant by Siegmund with a son, who would come to be called Siegfried.
It was a heavy burden on me, but I knew that I must punish Brunnhilde. I placed her into a deep sleep on the top of a mountain, surrounded by fire. She would lose her life as a Valkyrie, and become mortal. And she would be married to whatever man would be brave enough to cross through the fire to find her. I kissed her forehead, and she fell into the deepest of sleeps. I walked away in sorrow and regret, and began to wander the earth.
Siegfried
---------
So let’s wander along, as I’ve done for these many years. Let’s look for Siegfried, and I’ll tell you his story. For he, a grandson to me, was the one that would slay the dragon. He grew tall and strong, and learned to speak the language of the forest.
As you walk along, rejoining the path that brought you to Brunnhilde, turn westward and follow the path as it begins to turn North. Follow the song of the woodbird, as it leads you northward, then eastward. You’ll come to a point where the trail points straight east, and you can look ahead and see it bend to the left. Look to your left, and find the arch that marks the entry to the Dragon’s lair.
You see, it was a woodbird whose song led Siegfried to the Fafner’s lair. Fafner had used magic to turn himself from a giant to a dragon, and he guarded his hoard of gold with sharp teeth and powerful jaws. Siegfried arrived to do battle with Fafner, and he took with him two items of great value. A gold ring, and a helmet, that would allow the wearer to change his form and appearance.
Now you have treasure of your own to find. At the archway, take 20 steps forward, then take a bearing of 250 degrees. Walk 20 more steps on your new bearing, and take a bearing of 260 degrees. You’ll see a large log on the ground at 260 degrees. Go to the base of that tree, taking care to step over around the bodies of the fallen that lie between you and that which you seek.
Once you’ve stamped in and rehidden the box, rest for a moment and I’ll tell you the next part of Siegfried’s tale. After defeating the dragon, the woodbird told Siegfried about a beautiful young woman, lying on the top of a mountain surrounded by fire. Only the bravest warrior would be able to cross through the fire to reach her.
On his way to mountain Siegfried met me. I tried to talk to him, but he did not listen to me. I tried to block his path, but he broke my spear with the re-forged sword of his father. Defeated, I vanished and left Siegfried to find and awaken Brunnhilde.
Götterdämmerung – The Twilight of the Gods
------------------------------------------
And now we begin the journey back to where we began. Rejoin the path where you left it, and follow it east, then north, then east again. When you reach the wooden fences that mark the end of the loop, turn back northward, and make your way back toward Elawa Farm on the gravel path.
The conclusion of the story concerns itself with the destruction of the Ring, the fall of the gods, and the rise of the age of humankind. Brunnhilde taught Siegfried all she knew of battle, and he became a renowned warrior. He was called upon by a brother and a sister, who desired his company and his protection.
But they were treacherous. The brother, Gunther, wanted Brunnhilde for his own. The sister, Gutrune, desired Siegfried. And so they prepared a potion that caused Siegfried to forget Brunnhilde and fall in love with Gutrune. Gunther convinces Siegfried to go and get Brunnhilde to be Gunther’s wife. The ways of men confuse me, and I do not claim to sympathize with their lies and foolishness. But I let the drama unfold, knowing that it was to bring about the end of the gods.
In the end, Siegfried was killed by a wicked man, the son of Alberich. As his body was laid upon a pyre, Brunnhilde took the ring from his hand and rode into the flames of the pyre, sacrificing herself so that the Ring would be destroyed.
And that brings us to the fourth box that you seek. When you reach the point where the grassy path heads off to your left, turn and look to the black and tan bridge. Cross over the bridge, and stop just before you reach the western end. Beneath your feet, under the center of the bridge, lies the image of Brunnhilde’s sacrifice and redemption.
When you’ve stamped in and re-hidden the box, be quick! For at the end of my story the Rhinemaidens, eager to reclaim the Rheingold, drove a rushing torrent that flooded the banks of the river and cleansed the earth, purifying it so that the age of humankind might begin. Clearly, beneath the spans of a bridge is no place to be should the waters rise.
So be discrete, and be quick, and rejoin the path, avoiding the attention of other travelers. Elawa Farms will be once again in front of you. Thank you for listening to an old wanderer’s tale. I hope that you enjoy the treasures that you’ve found!
********************************************************
Note: The stamps in this series will require 4” x 6” paper, and colored inking pens. We hope that you enjoy the walk, and that you’ll drop us a note at placedenfert1@yahoo.com.
Location: Lake Forest, IL
Distance: 3.5 miles
Hello, fellow wanderer! I am Wotan and mine is a long story, with much to tell. Indeed, so much to tell that Richard Wagner once wrote a “cycle” of four operas that endeavor to tell the story of Ring of the Nibelung – how it was made, how it was used and misused, and how its destruction brought about the age of mankind, and twilight of the gods. But long before those events, I wandered the earth. And I’ll wander with you now, and tell you my tale, and perhaps we’ll uncover treasures along the way.
We’ll begin our walk at Elawa Farm, walking toward the Middlefork Savanna trailhead, and turning right to follow the gravel path northward, toward the woods and the water. And as you follow the trail toward the first of many bridges, I’ll tell you my tale.
Das Rheingold
-------------
Long, long ago, the singing waters of the rivers were more than a poet’s fine description. In those days, it was the lovely Rhinemaidens who sang playfully beneath the waves. It was their task to protect the Rheingold, and make certain that it did not fall into the hands of those who would use it for ill purposes. One day, the three Rhinemaidens were discovered by Alberich, a dwarf who desired them greatly. But they teased him and taunted him, and provoked him to anger. He learned of the Rheingold, and forsook love in order to take it for himself. He used the Rheingold to forge a ring of power, which would allow him to exert his will over the living.
It was during this time that Valhalla, a home for the gods, was being constructed. I had tricked two giants, Fasolt and Fafner, into building this home, with no real intent of paying them the price they’d asked. They had demanded that, as payment, they be handed Freia, the youngest and most beautiful of the goddesses, and the one who grew the fruit that allowed the gods to retain their immortal youth. My friend Loge mentioned the Ring that Alberich had made, and the giants lusted after that power. I offered them the Ring in place of Freia, and they quickly accepted. So Loge and I traveled to confront Alberich, and we stole the Ring from the dwarf. But as we left him, he laid a curse on the Ring; anyone who did not possess the Ring would desire it, and anyone who possessed it would receive only unhappiness and death.
When the giants returned to claim the Ring, I did not wish to give it over to them. I hesitated, but the earth opened at my feet and Erda, and the wise and ancient earth goddess, arose before me. She urged me to let go of the ring, and I eventually did so, giving the Ring to the giants.
So walk with me once more, and we’ll seek our first treasure. Cross the black and tan bridge and see a second bridge on your right. Walk on until you reach a grassy path, with a sign that forbids that hounds go any further. At that signpost, take a compass bearing of 220 degrees and look into the distance. You’ll see the path as it bends, and just beyond that, a grove of trees. At 220 degrees, there stands an oak that you must reach. So follow the grassy path as it veers southward, and stop when you reach a place where, on your right-hand side, there lie the fallen trunks of less sturdy trees. Walk 30 paces to the west, toward the oak that hides your prize. There are two holes at the base of the tree, which will be a sure sign to any experienced wanderer. It is there, close to the earth, that Erda awaits.
When you’ve seen her, and read her advice, replace her, hidden deep within the bottom of the tree.
Once the giants had claimed the Ring, Fafner, in his desire to have the Ring to himself, killed Fasolt, and went back to his woodland den. I was saddened to have parted with the Ring, and could scarcely ponder anything but my wish to reclaim it somehow. But there were reasons for rejoicing. Freia was returned to us, we gods had our new home, and we crossed a rainbow bridge that spanned the sky, ascending to Valhalla.
And so our goal, my fellow wanderer, is to walk toward the rainbow bridge that will lead us to our next treasure. Rejoin the grassy path and follow it over another black and tan bridge. You will come once more to the gravel path, and I bid you turn right. Walk southward, toward Melody Farm, and the Southern Loop Trail. You will traverse a mile before you reach the loop, but beware! Do not turn right when you first reach the loop. Rather, walk on until you see the stone bridge shaped like a rainbow on your left. When you reach it, turn back in the direction from whence you came. You are now ready to search for Brunnhilde, the Valkyrie.
Die Walküre - The Valkyrie
--------------------------
Walk with me onward a short way, and I’ll tell you the next part of the story. My desire for the Ring was not set aside when I entered into Valhalla with my fellow gods. No, I tried to come up with ideas that would allow me to once again possess the Ring without breaking my oath to the giant Fafner.
But the curse worked its magic, guiding me and my offspring toward death and destruction. My twin children, Siegmund and Sieglinde, were separated from one another as children. Siegmund grew to become a hunter and warrior, although he was shunned by the villages of men. Sieglinde grew tall and fair, but became the wife a brute named Hunding. Fate threw the two of them back together after years of separation and they felt an instant bond. But they mistook feelings of filial love for something more amorous. And though they realized that they were the closest of kin, they loved one another as a husband and a wife.
Hunding challenged Siegmund to a fight, and Siegmund drew his sword, Nothung. It was destined that Siegmund would die, and that my plans to raise a warrior that might defeat Fafner would end with his life.
As Hunding and Siegmund prepared for battle, the Valkyries began to course across the sky. Nine beauties, born of a union in ancient times between me and wise Erda, they were the shieldmaidens of the gods. It was their sacred duty to carry the bodies of warriors fallen in battle back to Valhalla, where they could feast and live among the gods. They were led by Brunnhilde, and she knew her duty well.
But enough of my talk. You’ve come to find treasure, and here we stand at the west end of the bridge. Turn northward, and walk a short way until you come to an intersection in the trail. At the intersection, turn left and walk 75 steps along the trail, into the woods. When you come to the 75th step, take a compass bearing of 238 degrees, and look across the glade to a fallen tree, with its once-proud top pointing in a southwesterly direction. Reach into the fallen tree to find Brunnhilde.
Yes, stamp in and rehide. But do take a moment to look at her. See her well, for this is the image of her in happier times. Times when she knew her duty, and did not deign to disobey the will of her father…
Recall that Brunnhilde was on her way to the place where Siegmund and Hunding were preparing to fight. It was her honor to carry the slain body of Siegmund to Valhalla. She told Siegmund that he was to die, and go to Valhalla. But he refused her, saying that if Sieglinde could not be with him, he did not desire the kingdom of the gods. She was impressed by his love and his bravery, and forsook her duty. She agreed to protect Siegmund in his fight.
And with Brunnhilde’s blessing, Siegmund nearly overpowered Hunding. But I was bound by honor and a promise to my wife, the goddess Fricka, to punish Siegmund and Sieglinde for their love. I stepped in, and broked Siegmund’s sword with my spear. Disarmed, he fell to Hunding. Sieglinde and Brunnhilde fled, carrying the shards of Siegmund’s sword with them. And I set out to find and punish Brunnhilde for her disobedience.
When I arrived, I found that Brunnhilde had sent Sieglinde away, carrying the shards of the sword with her. She had protected Sieglinde, who was now pregnant by Siegmund with a son, who would come to be called Siegfried.
It was a heavy burden on me, but I knew that I must punish Brunnhilde. I placed her into a deep sleep on the top of a mountain, surrounded by fire. She would lose her life as a Valkyrie, and become mortal. And she would be married to whatever man would be brave enough to cross through the fire to find her. I kissed her forehead, and she fell into the deepest of sleeps. I walked away in sorrow and regret, and began to wander the earth.
Siegfried
---------
So let’s wander along, as I’ve done for these many years. Let’s look for Siegfried, and I’ll tell you his story. For he, a grandson to me, was the one that would slay the dragon. He grew tall and strong, and learned to speak the language of the forest.
As you walk along, rejoining the path that brought you to Brunnhilde, turn westward and follow the path as it begins to turn North. Follow the song of the woodbird, as it leads you northward, then eastward. You’ll come to a point where the trail points straight east, and you can look ahead and see it bend to the left. Look to your left, and find the arch that marks the entry to the Dragon’s lair.
You see, it was a woodbird whose song led Siegfried to the Fafner’s lair. Fafner had used magic to turn himself from a giant to a dragon, and he guarded his hoard of gold with sharp teeth and powerful jaws. Siegfried arrived to do battle with Fafner, and he took with him two items of great value. A gold ring, and a helmet, that would allow the wearer to change his form and appearance.
Now you have treasure of your own to find. At the archway, take 20 steps forward, then take a bearing of 250 degrees. Walk 20 more steps on your new bearing, and take a bearing of 260 degrees. You’ll see a large log on the ground at 260 degrees. Go to the base of that tree, taking care to step over around the bodies of the fallen that lie between you and that which you seek.
Once you’ve stamped in and rehidden the box, rest for a moment and I’ll tell you the next part of Siegfried’s tale. After defeating the dragon, the woodbird told Siegfried about a beautiful young woman, lying on the top of a mountain surrounded by fire. Only the bravest warrior would be able to cross through the fire to reach her.
On his way to mountain Siegfried met me. I tried to talk to him, but he did not listen to me. I tried to block his path, but he broke my spear with the re-forged sword of his father. Defeated, I vanished and left Siegfried to find and awaken Brunnhilde.
Götterdämmerung – The Twilight of the Gods
------------------------------------------
And now we begin the journey back to where we began. Rejoin the path where you left it, and follow it east, then north, then east again. When you reach the wooden fences that mark the end of the loop, turn back northward, and make your way back toward Elawa Farm on the gravel path.
The conclusion of the story concerns itself with the destruction of the Ring, the fall of the gods, and the rise of the age of humankind. Brunnhilde taught Siegfried all she knew of battle, and he became a renowned warrior. He was called upon by a brother and a sister, who desired his company and his protection.
But they were treacherous. The brother, Gunther, wanted Brunnhilde for his own. The sister, Gutrune, desired Siegfried. And so they prepared a potion that caused Siegfried to forget Brunnhilde and fall in love with Gutrune. Gunther convinces Siegfried to go and get Brunnhilde to be Gunther’s wife. The ways of men confuse me, and I do not claim to sympathize with their lies and foolishness. But I let the drama unfold, knowing that it was to bring about the end of the gods.
In the end, Siegfried was killed by a wicked man, the son of Alberich. As his body was laid upon a pyre, Brunnhilde took the ring from his hand and rode into the flames of the pyre, sacrificing herself so that the Ring would be destroyed.
And that brings us to the fourth box that you seek. When you reach the point where the grassy path heads off to your left, turn and look to the black and tan bridge. Cross over the bridge, and stop just before you reach the western end. Beneath your feet, under the center of the bridge, lies the image of Brunnhilde’s sacrifice and redemption.
When you’ve stamped in and re-hidden the box, be quick! For at the end of my story the Rhinemaidens, eager to reclaim the Rheingold, drove a rushing torrent that flooded the banks of the river and cleansed the earth, purifying it so that the age of humankind might begin. Clearly, beneath the spans of a bridge is no place to be should the waters rise.
So be discrete, and be quick, and rejoin the path, avoiding the attention of other travelers. Elawa Farms will be once again in front of you. Thank you for listening to an old wanderer’s tale. I hope that you enjoy the treasures that you’ve found!
********************************************************
Note: The stamps in this series will require 4” x 6” paper, and colored inking pens. We hope that you enjoy the walk, and that you’ll drop us a note at placedenfert1@yahoo.com.