Walk To Rivendell" aka "The Eowyn Challenge" - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Nurumaiel · 03-16-2005, 02:39 PM

Anorial, good to hear from you again. I was wondering just today where you had gone off to.

Tomorrow is March 17, the day on which the Eowyn Challenge site had hoped to gain 225,000 miles in all on their database. Looks like they got that and more besides!
________________________________________

133 miles, just past the Barrow Downs
Many odd things have been happening since I learned of the real reason Frodo left the Shire. I had not been intending to pass through the Old Forest, but it it became necessary if I wanted to stay with the hobbits. Queer things happened there, but we had a brief rest at Tom Bombadil's House. It was a sorrowful thing to bid him farewell, but now we are once again in his company, as he has rescued us from the stranger things that happened.

The Barrow Downs were sheerly terrifying, the terror that comes not when you come face to face with some hideous creature, but when you have the overwhelming sense that there is something there, and you cannot see it. The fog was thick and seemed to wrap around me, trying to clutch me and smother me in its waving folds. I had not expected it to be as it was, for as we approached we were on green rolling hills, with a fair sky above us.

The terror of the thing that had us entrapped I cannot think to describe. The only other thing that has ever sent such a cold chill to my heart was the strange cry we heard in the woods when we were still in the Shire. If it had not been for good old Tom, I tremble to think what would have become of us.

Bree is not far off now. We have begun to move more swiftly as we feel danger pressing on us, going at an average of about five miles every day, and sometimes six or seven. Rivendell is now only a little over three hundred miles away... how glad I will be to get there!

Garen LiLorian · 03-16-2005, 07:15 PM

Though my journal entries have been few and far between, I have still been traveling a bit every day except when the weather precludes (all too often, I'm afraid)
We have reached Buckland! The fires of Crickhollow burn brightly, and the mushrooms gifted by the inestimable Madam Maggot are boiling as I try to bring my journal up to date. I can hear several companions snicker in the other room; I wonder if they have a surprise in store?
As thrilled as I am to be under a roof again (out of the rain that has been falling steadily for the last few days) I know that it cannot last. Tomorrow I shall have to brave the Old Forest, likely alone as I do not think my friends are up to such a challenge. But that will wait. Already I hear the clear voices of my friends as they call me to supper.
According to maps, I have gone 73 miles. It seems like such a small ways when placed against the entirety of my trip, and thus far I have only been walking through the tame little woods and rivers of my beloved Shire. The Wild still lies ahead. Tomorrow!

-Garen

Estelyn Telcontar · 03-19-2005, 10:53 AM

I just found out (on the Éowyn Challenge site) that Karen Wynn Fonstad passed away a week ago. For more about that, see this thread. I am shocked and saddened; she was one of the Rivendell Walkers, and her Middle-Earth Atlas was an invaluable resource for determining our routes. She has now gone on ahead, charting the paths westwards over the Sea. May we meet her there some day.

elfearz1 · 03-27-2005, 01:46 PM

Not much time to post but I thought I'd pop in to say hi and wish everyone who celebrates it a happy easter.

Quote:

You have walked 550 miles.
You have passed Barren Hills.
It is 20 miles to the next landmark.
You have 372 miles to reach Caras Galadon.

Gandalf walked in front, and with him went Aragorn, who knew this land even in the dark. The others were in file behind, and Legolas whose eyes were keen was the rearguard. The first part of their journey was hard and dreary, and Frodo remembered little of it, save the wind. For many sunless days an icy blast came from the Mountains in the east, and no garment seemed able to keep out its searching fingers.

Also since I didnt join this thread or the eowynchallenge.net site until I had already started for Lorien I will tell you that I have walked 92 miles from Rivendell.

Estelyn Telcontar · 04-02-2005, 01:12 PM

I have added something new to my customary walking - walking sticks! Not the traditional kind, not just one, but two modern, lightweight Nordic walking sticks. I don't know if that variation is as popular in the rest of the world as it is here, but I have heard so much about the added benefits that I decided to try it. At first I thought it looks rather silly, since it's a summer version of cross-country skiing to all appearances, but if I can get more benefits out of my walking time, and that with a reasonable investment, it's worth it!

As to my location, I suppose I'm on my way from Mt. Doom to Minas Tirith, but I'll have to look up the distance and figure it out backwards to know just where I am...

Anorial · 07-06-2005, 01:28 PM

Hi everybody *waves* it's been ages since I posted but I thought I'd pop in and let y'all know I'm still a-walking!

The Anduin has been very slow for me

. Still nursing the hip. Working on bringing up my weekly mileage. Happy summer to you all and I hope all is well!

Cheers,
Anorial

elfearz1 · 07-26-2005, 10:23 AM

I thought I'd pop in with an update!

It's been 117 miles since I left Rivendell.

You have walked 575 miles.
You have passed Misty Mountain Foothills.
It is 40 miles to the next landmark.
You have 347 miles to reach Caras Galadon.

Anorial · 08-01-2005, 01:21 PM

Hi everyone! I'm still paddling down the Anduin and had some time to stop in. Pretty quiet in here!

Estelyn, I clicked on your blog link....if books were drinks, what would they be? Interesting! I shall ponder it on my walk this afternoon but my first reaction would be coffee! I have a somewhat dramatic off and on again affair going on with coffee but I find it a celebration, bracing, and a boon companion, all of which books can be

How are those walking sticks working out for you? Any difference noticed?

Anyway, I hope y'all are doing well.

Cheers, Anorial
1030 miles (does this darn river ever end?)

Estelyn Telcontar · 08-02-2005, 02:10 AM

Hi, Anoriel and elfearz! It's nice to have you checking in and to hear that you're still walking! No, I can't say that I've really noticed any difference walking with the "ski poles", so I'll just have to take the experts' word on the additional benefits...

By the way, the current "Crazy Captions" picture inspired me to use a Rivendell walkers caption - you can see it here.

Anorial · 12-16-2005, 08:15 PM

Hi everyone, I'm still walkin'! Are you?! I wish you all the best of the season!

Anorial
1397 miles

Estelyn Telcontar · 12-17-2005, 03:19 AM

Hi again, Anorial! You're doing well! Yes, I'm still walking, though this thread has faded somewhat from its former glory, as has the original Éowyn Challenge site. I assume it's still functioning, though I haven't checked in for awhile. I should update my mileage and see how many shields I have now...

03-16-2005, 02:39 PM	#1
Nurumaiel Vice of Twilight Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: on a mountain Posts: 1,121	Anorial, good to hear from you again. I was wondering just today where you had gone off to. Tomorrow is March 17, the day on which the Eowyn Challenge site had hoped to gain 225,000 miles in all on their database. Looks like they got that and more besides! ________________________________________ 133 miles, just past the Barrow Downs Many odd things have been happening since I learned of the real reason Frodo left the Shire. I had not been intending to pass through the Old Forest, but it it became necessary if I wanted to stay with the hobbits. Queer things happened there, but we had a brief rest at Tom Bombadil's House. It was a sorrowful thing to bid him farewell, but now we are once again in his company, as he has rescued us from the stranger things that happened. The Barrow Downs were sheerly terrifying, the terror that comes not when you come face to face with some hideous creature, but when you have the overwhelming sense that there is something there, and you cannot see it. The fog was thick and seemed to wrap around me, trying to clutch me and smother me in its waving folds. I had not expected it to be as it was, for as we approached we were on green rolling hills, with a fair sky above us. The terror of the thing that had us entrapped I cannot think to describe. The only other thing that has ever sent such a cold chill to my heart was the strange cry we heard in the woods when we were still in the Shire. If it had not been for good old Tom, I tremble to think what would have become of us. Bree is not far off now. We have begun to move more swiftly as we feel danger pressing on us, going at an average of about five miles every day, and sometimes six or seven. Rivendell is now only a little over three hundred miles away... how glad I will be to get there! __________________ In the fury of the moment I can see the Master's hand in every leaf that trembles, in every grain of sand.

03-16-2005, 07:15 PM	#2
Garen LiLorian Wight Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: The frigid white wilderness of the Midwest Posts: 235	Though my journal entries have been few and far between, I have still been traveling a bit every day except when the weather precludes (all too often, I'm afraid) We have reached Buckland! The fires of Crickhollow burn brightly, and the mushrooms gifted by the inestimable Madam Maggot are boiling as I try to bring my journal up to date. I can hear several companions snicker in the other room; I wonder if they have a surprise in store? As thrilled as I am to be under a roof again (out of the rain that has been falling steadily for the last few days) I know that it cannot last. Tomorrow I shall have to brave the Old Forest, likely alone as I do not think my friends are up to such a challenge. But that will wait. Already I hear the clear voices of my friends as they call me to supper. According to maps, I have gone 73 miles. It seems like such a small ways when placed against the entirety of my trip, and thus far I have only been walking through the tame little woods and rivers of my beloved Shire. The Wild still lies ahead. Tomorrow! -Garen __________________ This is my quest, to follow that star; no matter how hopeless, no matter how far. To fight for the right, without question or pause. To be willing to march into Hell for a Heavenly cause! -Man of La Mancha

03-19-2005, 10:53 AM	#3
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	I just found out (on the Éowyn Challenge site) that Karen Wynn Fonstad passed away a week ago. For more about that, see this thread. I am shocked and saddened; she was one of the Rivendell Walkers, and her Middle-Earth Atlas was an invaluable resource for determining our routes. She has now gone on ahead, charting the paths westwards over the Sea. May we meet her there some day. __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...'

04-02-2005, 01:12 PM	#5
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	I have added something new to my customary walking - walking sticks! Not the traditional kind, not just one, but two modern, lightweight Nordic walking sticks. I don't know if that variation is as popular in the rest of the world as it is here, but I have heard so much about the added benefits that I decided to try it. At first I thought it looks rather silly, since it's a summer version of cross-country skiing to all appearances, but if I can get more benefits out of my walking time, and that with a reasonable investment, it's worth it! As to my location, I suppose I'm on my way from Mt. Doom to Minas Tirith, but I'll have to look up the distance and figure it out backwards to know just where I am... __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...'

07-06-2005, 01:28 PM	#6
Anorial Wight Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Walking with Frodo and Sam back to Rivendell! (2869 miles) Posts: 125	Hi everybody waves it's been ages since I posted but I thought I'd pop in and let y'all know I'm still a-walking! The Anduin has been very slow for me . Still nursing the hip. Working on bringing up my weekly mileage. Happy summer to you all and I hope all is well! Cheers, Anorial __________________ Home is behind, the world ahead....And there are many paths to tread.

07-26-2005, 10:23 AM	#7
elfearz1 Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Mirkwood Posts: 259	I thought I'd pop in with an update! It's been 117 miles since I left Rivendell. You have walked 575 miles. You have passed Misty Mountain Foothills. It is 40 miles to the next landmark. You have 347 miles to reach Caras Galadon. __________________ I didn't eat Merry, i just ate his waistcoat!-Horse maidens dream 915/920 miles. On my way to Lothlorien! ^^Elfearz^^

08-01-2005, 01:21 PM	#8
Anorial Wight Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Walking with Frodo and Sam back to Rivendell! (2869 miles) Posts: 125	Hi everyone! I'm still paddling down the Anduin and had some time to stop in. Pretty quiet in here! Estelyn, I clicked on your blog link....if books were drinks, what would they be? Interesting! I shall ponder it on my walk this afternoon but my first reaction would be coffee! I have a somewhat dramatic off and on again affair going on with coffee but I find it a celebration, bracing, and a boon companion, all of which books can be How are those walking sticks working out for you? Any difference noticed? Anyway, I hope y'all are doing well. Cheers, Anorial 1030 miles (does this darn river ever end?) __________________ Home is behind, the world ahead....And there are many paths to tread.

08-02-2005, 02:10 AM	#9
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	Hi, Anoriel and elfearz! It's nice to have you checking in and to hear that you're still walking! No, I can't say that I've really noticed any difference walking with the "ski poles", so I'll just have to take the experts' word on the additional benefits... By the way, the current "Crazy Captions" picture inspired me to use a Rivendell walkers caption - you can see it here. __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...'

12-16-2005, 08:15 PM	#10
Anorial Wight Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Walking with Frodo and Sam back to Rivendell! (2869 miles) Posts: 125	Hi everyone, I'm still walkin'! Are you?! I wish you all the best of the season! Anorial 1397 miles __________________ Home is behind, the world ahead....And there are many paths to tread.

12-17-2005, 03:19 AM	#11
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	Hi again, Anorial! You're doing well! Yes, I'm still walking, though this thread has faded somewhat from its former glory, as has the original Éowyn Challenge site. I assume it's still functioning, though I haven't checked in for awhile. I should update my mileage and see how many shields I have now... __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...'

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