The Great American Pin-Up Series: Evangeline LbNA #46094
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Add Location| Owner: | Adoptable |
|---|---|
| Plant date: | Jun 22, 2013 |
| Location: | Gander Mountain Forest Preserve |
| City: | Fox Lake |
| County: | Lake |
| State: | Illinois |
| Boxes: | 1 |
| Planted by: | Lock, Shock & Barrel  |
|---|---|
| Found by: | SkyGal48 |
| Last found: | Dec 19, 2018 |
| Status: | FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF |
| Last edited: | Jun 22, 2013 |
Letterbox Name: The Great American Pin-up Series: Evangeline
Location: Fox Lake, IL
Distance: Approximately 2.0 miles
Once upon a time, there were eight lovely sisters. They were born in Lake County, Illinois, and were raised in an old farmhouse. They grew tall and strong and, though they loved the home in which they’d been raised, each knew that there would come a time when she would need to go out and find her place in the world.
One of those sisters, Savannah, had settled in the woods just west of the home in which they’d all grown up. She had always loved green, growing things, and her heart leapt with joy in the spring, when flowers dotted the open fields near the forest that she now called home. And so it was that, on a lovely spring day, Savannah went for a hike, noting the budding of the trees, and emergence of daffodils from the moist, dark soil. She was lost in the scent of new life on the warm breeze, when she turned the corner to see a lovely young woman, sitting on a bench, her head in her hands.
Among her sisters, Savannah had always been the nurturing one, the one with an intuitive grasp of what was weighing on another’s mind. As with the plants that she so loved, she had a passion for healing, for taking what was broken and helping it to grow back stronger. And now, she found her heart reaching out to this beautiful stranger.
“Are you all right?” asked Savannah.
The stranger looked up, and quickly wiped tears from her eyes. “Yes, I’m fine. Thank you for asking,” she said politely, but dismissively.
Savannah smiled. “Do you mind if I sit down, then? I’ve been hiking for a while, and could use a break.”
“Oh…sure,” the stranger said, shifting to one side of the bench.
They sat in silence for a few minutes before Savannah leaned over and introduced herself. “My name’s Savannah.”
“I’m Evangeline,” replied the stranger, her dark eyes still gleaming with tears. “I’m not from around here. I guess I’m not really from around anywhere anymore.”
“That’s a beautiful name. Always been a favorite of mine. Ever since I heard that Emmylou Harris song when I was a little girl.”
Evangeline smiled for the first time since Savannah had sat down. “My mom loved that song. Rest is history, I guess.”
“So where was home? I mean, before you traveled here?”
“New Orleans,” replied Evangeline. “I moved there to be with a guy, and then he decided he didn’t want to be with me. I didn’t even have anywhere in mind when I left. I just took the train north to Chicago, and I’ve been wandering since then.”
“How long has that been?,” asked Savannah, her voice full of concern for her new friend.
“A couple of weeks, I guess. You kind of lose track after a while.”
“Well, let’s get you inside. I live just near here. I can make us up some mushroom stew, and you can borrow some fresh clothes.”
Evangeline’s eyes welled up with tears again. “Thank you,” she said simply, sincerely. Then she leaned over toward Savannah, who wrapped her arms around her and let her cry.
“It’s okay, Evangeline. Just let the tears come.”
And they sat there for a while, until Evangeline was ready to get up and walk with Savannah back to the hollow tree that she called home. There she changed into a white cotton dress that Savannah lent to her, and eagerly waited for the stew to be ready.
For her part, Savannah realized how much she had missed taking care of her sisters. It had been a little over a year since they’d left the old farmhouse, and it felt good to help someone again. To dry someone’s tears. She’d spent the last year caring for plants, and she’d learned to notice the first signs of sickness and trouble. That little bit of drooping that came before a flower wilted. She knew the difference between the sickness that stole a flower’s vibrance and sweetness in the height of spring, and the natural ebb and flow of life that led the world from autumn, to winter, and back to spring. As she looked at Evangeline, Savannah saw the kind of droop for which there was no season. Heartbreak had dimmed the energy of a young woman who, she could tell, was meant for happier times and greater things.
And so they ate, and they talked, and Evangeline told Savannah her story. How she’d met her boyfriend in college, and how she’d loved living in the South. Savannah pressed Evangeline to tell her all about the Garden District in New Orleans, and the beautiful private courtyards. And Evangeline talked about the parties, and the people that she met from all around the world, and the stories that they told that made her dream of far-off places. They talked late into the night, and when they were done, Evangeline drifted off into a contented sleep for the first time since she’d left New Orleans.
In the weeks that followed, Evangeline worked alongside Savannah, harvesting seeds that would help to encourage the growth of native plants throughout Lake County. She also helped with the hard work of cutting away invasive species to let those native plants grow. And she was happy to work alongside her new friend, Savannah, and to learn from her.
Savannah enjoyed that time as well, for it was like having a younger sister around again, and it gave her a renewed sense of purpose. She was happy to see Evangeline happy, but knew in her heart that Evangeline would need to eventually find her own way. For while Savannah was contented to live among the trees and flowering plants of Lake County, she new that, deep down, Evangeline’s heart wanted to wander and see the world.
So one day, while they were working near the creek, Savannah sat looking into the water. Evangeline walked over and sat next to her.
“What are you looking at?” asked Evangeline.
“I’m watching the water move. I think that water is the most amazing thing out here, because it’s always moving. No matter how still the plants or the earth, or even the wind become, the water still moves.”
“I guess, so. I never really thought about it.”
Savannah continued. “Any drop in this creek could have seen anything around the world. It could have been to the peaks of the Himalayas, or into the depths of the ocean. Any one of these drops could fall one day on the Eiffel Tower, or the ruins of Machu Picchu.”
“Or the Oracle at Delphi, or the Great Wall of China,” add Evangeline excitedly.
Savannah smiled a bittersweet smile. “Yes. That which is meant to move needs to move on its way. It’s the only way that it can be whatever it’s meant to be.”
Evangeline turned to look at Savannah. “I know where you’re going. And I know you’re right. I just don’t feel like I’m ready to be on my own.”
Savannah smiled reassuringly. “You are. You will be. And I’ll help.”
Evangeline leaned into Savannah’s arms, comforted by her embrace, and by Savannah’s faith in her. And so the next day, they made plans. Savannah knew the Lake County Forest Preserves better than most, and she’d picked out a spot at a preserve called Gander Mountain.
They made their way to Gander Mountain, entering off of Wilmot Road, and walking all the way along the path from the parking lot to the top of the mountain. When they reached the geological survey marker at the top of the mountain, they looked out across the valley to the east. Savannah and Evangeline turned to take a path at 40 degrees from the spot of the survey marker. They walked a ways, then came to a fork in the trail. At that point, they took a compass bearing of 20 degrees, and followed that trail to yet another fork, where they proceeded at 62 degrees, walking down the very steep trail. They eventually reached felt the trail level out, and they continued until they rounded a bend and saw large fallen logs on their left. Shortly thereafter, they saw a piled of stones, also on the left. Then, just a few steps further down the path, they spied a large tree with two metal posts leaning against it. The base of the tree was hollow, and it was in that cozy place that Evangeline made her new home.
As Savannah prepared to leave, Evangeline stopped her. Tears filled her eyes, but a smile was on her lips. “Thank you so much,” she said, then she laughed. “It’s just like the day we met.”
“No, it’s not,” replied Savannah, returning Evangeline’s smile. “You’re not alone anymore. And even if you were, you’d be just fine. I want you to come see me. Promise me that, okay?”
Evangeline nodded, then threw her arms around her friend. They stood there for a long time like that, then Savannah, wiping away her own tears, turned and walked away.
Before returning to the cozy hollow in the base of the big tree that was her new home, Evangeline took a look around. There, off to the east, was a nice little creek. Each spring, that creek would be full of millions of drops of water that had seen the wonders of the world. And perhaps for the first time, Evangeline believed in her heart that one day she would see those wonders as well.
******************************************************
The Great American Pin-up series is, first and foremost, a celebration of the style, femininity, and fun of pin-up art over the years. While great care was taken to select images that would not offend, it’s worth noting that some letterboxers, including those traveling with younger children, might find the images to be “rated PG”. That said, we hope that you enjoy the images as much as we’ve enjoyed selecting and carving them.
Please note: The stamps are a bit large, and will require a 4”x 6” space for stamping. This stamp will only require black ink, and can be colored in using the yellow, green and purple colored pencils that are included in the box.
Location: Fox Lake, IL
Distance: Approximately 2.0 miles
Once upon a time, there were eight lovely sisters. They were born in Lake County, Illinois, and were raised in an old farmhouse. They grew tall and strong and, though they loved the home in which they’d been raised, each knew that there would come a time when she would need to go out and find her place in the world.
One of those sisters, Savannah, had settled in the woods just west of the home in which they’d all grown up. She had always loved green, growing things, and her heart leapt with joy in the spring, when flowers dotted the open fields near the forest that she now called home. And so it was that, on a lovely spring day, Savannah went for a hike, noting the budding of the trees, and emergence of daffodils from the moist, dark soil. She was lost in the scent of new life on the warm breeze, when she turned the corner to see a lovely young woman, sitting on a bench, her head in her hands.
Among her sisters, Savannah had always been the nurturing one, the one with an intuitive grasp of what was weighing on another’s mind. As with the plants that she so loved, she had a passion for healing, for taking what was broken and helping it to grow back stronger. And now, she found her heart reaching out to this beautiful stranger.
“Are you all right?” asked Savannah.
The stranger looked up, and quickly wiped tears from her eyes. “Yes, I’m fine. Thank you for asking,” she said politely, but dismissively.
Savannah smiled. “Do you mind if I sit down, then? I’ve been hiking for a while, and could use a break.”
“Oh…sure,” the stranger said, shifting to one side of the bench.
They sat in silence for a few minutes before Savannah leaned over and introduced herself. “My name’s Savannah.”
“I’m Evangeline,” replied the stranger, her dark eyes still gleaming with tears. “I’m not from around here. I guess I’m not really from around anywhere anymore.”
“That’s a beautiful name. Always been a favorite of mine. Ever since I heard that Emmylou Harris song when I was a little girl.”
Evangeline smiled for the first time since Savannah had sat down. “My mom loved that song. Rest is history, I guess.”
“So where was home? I mean, before you traveled here?”
“New Orleans,” replied Evangeline. “I moved there to be with a guy, and then he decided he didn’t want to be with me. I didn’t even have anywhere in mind when I left. I just took the train north to Chicago, and I’ve been wandering since then.”
“How long has that been?,” asked Savannah, her voice full of concern for her new friend.
“A couple of weeks, I guess. You kind of lose track after a while.”
“Well, let’s get you inside. I live just near here. I can make us up some mushroom stew, and you can borrow some fresh clothes.”
Evangeline’s eyes welled up with tears again. “Thank you,” she said simply, sincerely. Then she leaned over toward Savannah, who wrapped her arms around her and let her cry.
“It’s okay, Evangeline. Just let the tears come.”
And they sat there for a while, until Evangeline was ready to get up and walk with Savannah back to the hollow tree that she called home. There she changed into a white cotton dress that Savannah lent to her, and eagerly waited for the stew to be ready.
For her part, Savannah realized how much she had missed taking care of her sisters. It had been a little over a year since they’d left the old farmhouse, and it felt good to help someone again. To dry someone’s tears. She’d spent the last year caring for plants, and she’d learned to notice the first signs of sickness and trouble. That little bit of drooping that came before a flower wilted. She knew the difference between the sickness that stole a flower’s vibrance and sweetness in the height of spring, and the natural ebb and flow of life that led the world from autumn, to winter, and back to spring. As she looked at Evangeline, Savannah saw the kind of droop for which there was no season. Heartbreak had dimmed the energy of a young woman who, she could tell, was meant for happier times and greater things.
And so they ate, and they talked, and Evangeline told Savannah her story. How she’d met her boyfriend in college, and how she’d loved living in the South. Savannah pressed Evangeline to tell her all about the Garden District in New Orleans, and the beautiful private courtyards. And Evangeline talked about the parties, and the people that she met from all around the world, and the stories that they told that made her dream of far-off places. They talked late into the night, and when they were done, Evangeline drifted off into a contented sleep for the first time since she’d left New Orleans.
In the weeks that followed, Evangeline worked alongside Savannah, harvesting seeds that would help to encourage the growth of native plants throughout Lake County. She also helped with the hard work of cutting away invasive species to let those native plants grow. And she was happy to work alongside her new friend, Savannah, and to learn from her.
Savannah enjoyed that time as well, for it was like having a younger sister around again, and it gave her a renewed sense of purpose. She was happy to see Evangeline happy, but knew in her heart that Evangeline would need to eventually find her own way. For while Savannah was contented to live among the trees and flowering plants of Lake County, she new that, deep down, Evangeline’s heart wanted to wander and see the world.
So one day, while they were working near the creek, Savannah sat looking into the water. Evangeline walked over and sat next to her.
“What are you looking at?” asked Evangeline.
“I’m watching the water move. I think that water is the most amazing thing out here, because it’s always moving. No matter how still the plants or the earth, or even the wind become, the water still moves.”
“I guess, so. I never really thought about it.”
Savannah continued. “Any drop in this creek could have seen anything around the world. It could have been to the peaks of the Himalayas, or into the depths of the ocean. Any one of these drops could fall one day on the Eiffel Tower, or the ruins of Machu Picchu.”
“Or the Oracle at Delphi, or the Great Wall of China,” add Evangeline excitedly.
Savannah smiled a bittersweet smile. “Yes. That which is meant to move needs to move on its way. It’s the only way that it can be whatever it’s meant to be.”
Evangeline turned to look at Savannah. “I know where you’re going. And I know you’re right. I just don’t feel like I’m ready to be on my own.”
Savannah smiled reassuringly. “You are. You will be. And I’ll help.”
Evangeline leaned into Savannah’s arms, comforted by her embrace, and by Savannah’s faith in her. And so the next day, they made plans. Savannah knew the Lake County Forest Preserves better than most, and she’d picked out a spot at a preserve called Gander Mountain.
They made their way to Gander Mountain, entering off of Wilmot Road, and walking all the way along the path from the parking lot to the top of the mountain. When they reached the geological survey marker at the top of the mountain, they looked out across the valley to the east. Savannah and Evangeline turned to take a path at 40 degrees from the spot of the survey marker. They walked a ways, then came to a fork in the trail. At that point, they took a compass bearing of 20 degrees, and followed that trail to yet another fork, where they proceeded at 62 degrees, walking down the very steep trail. They eventually reached felt the trail level out, and they continued until they rounded a bend and saw large fallen logs on their left. Shortly thereafter, they saw a piled of stones, also on the left. Then, just a few steps further down the path, they spied a large tree with two metal posts leaning against it. The base of the tree was hollow, and it was in that cozy place that Evangeline made her new home.
As Savannah prepared to leave, Evangeline stopped her. Tears filled her eyes, but a smile was on her lips. “Thank you so much,” she said, then she laughed. “It’s just like the day we met.”
“No, it’s not,” replied Savannah, returning Evangeline’s smile. “You’re not alone anymore. And even if you were, you’d be just fine. I want you to come see me. Promise me that, okay?”
Evangeline nodded, then threw her arms around her friend. They stood there for a long time like that, then Savannah, wiping away her own tears, turned and walked away.
Before returning to the cozy hollow in the base of the big tree that was her new home, Evangeline took a look around. There, off to the east, was a nice little creek. Each spring, that creek would be full of millions of drops of water that had seen the wonders of the world. And perhaps for the first time, Evangeline believed in her heart that one day she would see those wonders as well.
******************************************************
The Great American Pin-up series is, first and foremost, a celebration of the style, femininity, and fun of pin-up art over the years. While great care was taken to select images that would not offend, it’s worth noting that some letterboxers, including those traveling with younger children, might find the images to be “rated PG”. That said, we hope that you enjoy the images as much as we’ve enjoyed selecting and carving them.
Please note: The stamps are a bit large, and will require a 4”x 6” space for stamping. This stamp will only require black ink, and can be colored in using the yellow, green and purple colored pencils that are included in the box.