Walk To Rivendell" aka "The Eowyn Challenge"

[Tarvasa]

ooo, i am only just getting on my bike for my extra mile! its 7 pm now. I reached Bywater, i need a pint at the green dragon.

[Horse-Maiden of the Shire]

Hey, Tarvasa. I am also in Bywater, shall we meet for a pint at the Dragon?

1. Which of the four hobbits (Frodo, Sam, Merry, Pippin) do you identify with the most?
Pippin
2. Why?
Pippin is the one that is most like me. We are both loud, annoying sometimes, funloving, and dimwitted at times.
3. Is there another hobbit besides those four that you identify with more?
Aleia, she is basically myself if I was a hobbit. What are you talking about, I am a hobbit!
4. Where did that hobbit come from? (Fanfic? RPG? Tolkien?)
Aleia is my RPG character for everything.
5. What's your favorite walking song?
Um, whatever song is stuck in my head
6. What's your favorite Middle-Earth walking song?
"The Road goes ever on and on" and "Hey, ho! to the bottle I go!"
7. Do you sing it to a tune? Which one/where did you get it?
The tunes from the movie.
8. What's your primary method of getting to Rivendell? (Walking, running, biking... etc.)
Walking/jogging so far.
9. Secondary method of getting to Rivendell? (walking running etc.)
Biking and horseback riding.
10. If you had a Shire-pony what would you name him or her?
Skeet! (My RPG pony...heh heh)
11. Besides the usual camping & travel stuff, what single special item is in your hobbit-knapsack and why?
A book, because although walking is fun, walking in another world is funner.
12. Are you travelling alone or with other Rivendell walkers, and do they have hobbit-alter-egos?
With one other. She doesn't have a hobbit-alter-ego, but she has a ranger-alter-ego.
13. Many of you have or will post quotes from the book about walking-- but for this quiz, pick one that stands out the most in your mind, and then tell us why you like it or what it means to you.
No idea. There are too many!
14. In hobbit-society, have you come of age yet (33) or not?
Nope.
What you can/cannot tolerate/enjoy about the Shire that we're leaving behind:
15. Pipes: yes or no?
Yes!
16. Ale: yes or no?
Yes!
17. Gardens: Yes or no? If yes, would you rather walk through, or weed & dig?
Yes--but for walking through.
18. Living below ground: yes or no?
In a hobbit-hole? Sure, if it's that kind of below ground.
19. Dancing the Sprinkle Ring: yes or no?
Yes!
20. Huge parties: yes or no?
Hell yes!
21. What you like the least about The Shire?
Nothing!
22. Where you would want your summer cottage (or smial)?
Um...probably Buckland/Tookland.
23. Where you would settle in for the winter?
Probably Bywater.
24. What would your hobbittish proffession be?
Stable-person. Oh yes. Stable-person.
25. Are you going to try walking barefoot?
Of course! What real hobbit wouldn't? [img]smilies/rolleyes.gif[/img]

[Raefindel]

Not far from the road-meeting they came on the huge hulk of a tree: it was still alive and had leaves on the small branches that it had put out around the broken stumps of the long-fallen limbs; but it was hollow, and could be entered by a great crack on the side away from the road. The hobbits crept inside, and sat there upon a floor of old leaves and decayed wood. They rested and had a light meal, talking quietly and listening from time to time.

I would love such a place. Does anyone have one? Do you use it as the Hobbits did? Is it on your walking-route?

[Tarvasa]

That would be most enjoyable! Three miles on my first day! not bad...i don't normally excercise so three miles is big. lol.

[Faenaduial]

Raefindel,

In answer to your question I am a very amature artist and writer. I love doing both in my spare time.

Now if I had just a little more time and a lot more talent...

But truthfully I get great joy out of sketching and enjoy doing landscapes and animals, especially birds.

Do you have an interest in art?

[Raefindel]

I'm not an artist myself but I enjoy and appriciate art. My Daughter is an artist. I often visit the online Tolkien art sites.

[Niluial]

* Gasps for breath, looking tired, exhausted and miserable * Remind me to NEVER go swimming again! We went to this lake today for a picnic to have fun and of course my boyfriend went with. We were having fun and he said “Come lets go swim”. So I put on my costume and we went swimming, we decided we were going to swim to the island on the other side. It didn’t look far but boy was it far! About an hour later we actually made it to the island, I was in pain! So it started to get dark so we had to swim back, half way there I felt like I was dying! I couldn’t go on I was about to just stop swimming but ‘Super dad to the rescue’ came speeding down the river to fetch us. I was so happy! But now it feels like I have been hit by a train!

[mark12_30]

Before this thread gets closed: if you can't think of anything else Tolkien-related to put in your post (and we really should be able to, since we're tracking Frodo's journey) then (RPG-like) at least write as af you are an elf or a hobbit (or dwarf or...) I'd hate to see this thread closed, but the Barrow-Wight has given us two warnings already. That can't be good, folks. So:-- hobbits, elves, or closure. Our choice.

The Road Goes ever ever on
But this thread might not.

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

I think Tolkien must have been a person who liked to walk. Has anybody read anything to support this?

Kept thinking yesterday how awful it would be to be out in the wilderness in the cold pouring rain. I expect it happened to Strider quite often! Builds character I suppose! [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

Can't deny the fellowship were a heathly lot! The only cold I can remember reading about belonged to Bilbo!

[Estelyn Telcontar]

I finally took the time to fill out the walking questionnaire:

1. Which of the four hobbits (Frodo, Sam, Merry, Pippin) do you identify with the most? Frodo
2. Why? His tendency to give up hope while carrying a burden and his wish to escape his earthly bonds to heal…
5. What's your favorite walking song? Hmm, I don’t sing much while walking, but whatever song is on my mind – probably not related to walking at all.
6. What's your favorite Middle-Earth walking song? The Road goes ever on and on…
7. Do you sing it to a tune? Which one/where did you get it? No tune as yet, though the movie tune might come to mind, since it’s the only one I know. (I’d like to get the Swann/Tolkien song cycle of that name to try out those melodies.)
8. What's your primary method of getting to Rivendell? walking
9. Secondary method of getting to Rivendell? biking
10. If you had a Shire-pony what would you name him or her? Falafel (name of Merisu’s horse from my RPG… [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] )
11. Besides the usual camping & travel stuff, what single special item is in your hobbit-knapsack and why? Notebook and pencil – I get my best ideas while walking and don’t want to forget them before I get home!
12. Are you travelling alone or with other Rivendell walkers, and do they have hobbit-alter-egos? I usually walk alone or with my dog, who is not hobbity at all.
13. Many of you have or will post quotes from the book about walking-- but for this quiz, pick one that stands out the most in your mind, and then tell us why you like it or what it means to you. Frodo says to Gildor and the Elves: “We seem to be going the same way as you are. I like walking under the stars. But I would welcome your company.” I also like walking under the stars…
14. In hobbit-society, have you come of age yet (33) or not? Yes; as a matter of fact, I'm hoping for a wizard and some dwarves to knock on my door any day now...
What you can/cannot tolerate/enjoy about the Shire that we're leaving behind:
15. Pipes: only for soap-bubbles!
16. Ale: I’d prefer a nice Dorwinion wine – or do they make champagne too?!
17. Gardens: Yes, the kind that give maximal enjoyment with minimal work…
18. Living below ground: only if there’s lots of light
19. Dancing the Springle-ring: yes!
20. Huge parties: Depends on my mood and the kind of people that would be there; I’d usually prefer a smaller, comfortable group.
21. What you like the least about The Shire? The restricted, rather small-minded view of life
22. Where you would want your summer cottage (or smial)? At the seaside
23. Where you would settle in for the winter? Minas Tirith, because of the nice big library!
24. What would your hobbitish profession be? Seamstress – I love handling and working with fabrics and am always interested in clothes and style.
25. Will you try walking barefoot at some point, and what is your plan for doing it safely? I absolutely love to walk barefoot in the sand at the seaside in the summertime, and I hope I get there this summer to be able to do it.

[ April 06, 2003: Message edited by: Estelyn Telcontar ]

[Tarvasa]

Ooo, I think I shall be a hobbit, Taravsa is my elven name, but my hobbit name is Amarantha Roper! I am from Bree. (not yet there in walking, lol) I only have time for three miles today on my hobbit bike. Still in Bywater.

[Lyra Greenleaf]

I'm gonna do it! I know it's mad, and I've left it late, but I will. I WILL! here's my questionnaire:

1. Which of the four hobbits (Frodo, Sam, Merry, Pippin) do you identify with the most? Pippin
2. Why? He is so young and silly and I feel like that some (OK most) of the time, despite being an ancient 18 now! 18 and 2 days, to be precise
3. Is there another hobbit besides those four that you identify with more? Ellie Took
4. Where did that hobbit come from? (Fanfic? RPG? Tolkien?) She is my Hobbit from the Green Dragon, and because that is free playing she is completely me!
5. What's your favorite walking song? Don’t know- I haven’t started yet
6. What's your favorite Middle-Earth walking song? To Rivendell, Where Elves yet dwell…
7. Do you sing it to a tune? Which one/where did you get it? From the BBCs Lord of the Rings radio
8. What's your primary method of getting to Rivendell? (Walking, running, biking... etc.) Walking
9. Secondary method of getting to Rivendell? (walking running etc.) Cycling
10. If you had a Shire-pony what would you name him or her? Elanor
11. Besides the usual camping & travel stuff, what single special item is in your hobbit-knapsack and why? A book, for breaks
12. Are you travelling alone or with other Rivendell walkers, and do they have hobbit-alter-egos? Alone, unfortunately. People think I’m nuts!
13. Many of you have or will post quotes from the book about walking-- but for this quiz, pick one that stands out the most in your mind, and then tell us why you like it or what it means to you.
14. In hobbit-society, have you come of age yet (33) or not? Nope
What you can/cannot tolerate/enjoy about the Shire that we're leaving behind:
15. Pipes: yes or no? Don’t smoke
16. Ale: yes or no? Don’t drink
17. Gardens: Yes or no? If yes, would you rather walk through, or weed & dig? Like gardens, not so keen on gardening!
18. Living below ground: yes or no? Not too keen…
19. Dancing the Sprinkle Ring: yes or no? It’s fantastic!
20. Huge parties: yes or no? Brilliant!!!!!
21. What you like the least about The Shire? Nothing, I love it all
22. Where you would want your summer cottage (or smial)? Ithilien
23. Where you would settle in for the winter? The Great Smials, I love the adventurous Tooks
24. What would your hobbittish proffession be? I want to be a teacher
25. This one is for Dragoneyes: Will you try walking barefoot at some point, and what is your plan for doing it safely? No, sorry. Not in London!

[Tarvasa]

Ooo, fun questions!

1. Which of the four hobbits (Frodo, Sam, Merry, Pippin) do you identify with the most? Pippin
2. Why? He is hilarious and so funny!!
3. Is there another hobbit besides those four that you identify with more? The Bullroarer
4. Where did that hobbit come from? (Fanfic? RPG? Tolkien?) Tolkien
5. What's your favorite walking song? Don’t know
6. What's your favorite Middle-Earth walking song? dunno
7. Do you sing it to a tune? Which one/where did you get it? If I had one, it would be to the tune of something in the movie.
8. What's your primary method of getting to Rivendell? (Walking, running, biking... etc.) Walking
9. Secondary method of getting to Rivendell? (walking running etc.) Spinning(does that count?) also some swimming
10. If you had a Shire-pony what would you name him or her? Elanor(I named a white calf that)
11. Besides the usual camping & travel stuff, what single special item is in your hobbit-knapsack and why? A chocolate bar
12. Are you travelling alone or with other Rivendell walkers, and do they have hobbit-alter-egos? Sometimes my parents, sister, brother, friends. I'm the only one so far walking to Rivendell, they just walk.
13. Many of you have or will post quotes from the book about walking-- but for this quiz, pick one that stands out the most in your mind, and then tell us why you like it or what it means to you.
can't think of one.
14. In hobbit-society, have you come of age yet (33) or not? Nu huh
What you can/cannot tolerate/enjoy about the Shire that we're leaving behind: mmmm, love the scenery. its still good, but nothing beats the shire.
15. Pipes: yes or no? noooooo
16. Ale: yes or no? Cola
17. Gardens: Yes or no? If yes, would you rather walk through, or weed & dig?
Forced to garden for school, would rather walk through.
18. Living below ground: yes or no?
Maybe....
19. Dancing the Sprinkle Ring: yes or no? Never tried
20. Huge parties: yes or no? Oo, yes!
21. What you like the least about The Shire? Love it
22. Where you would want your summer cottage (or smial)? The shire
23. Where you would settle in for the winter? Gondor
24. What would your hobbittish proffession be? stable hand
25. This one is for Dragoneyes: Will you try walking barefoot at some point, and what is your plan for doing it safely?
I'll answer this anyway, in a wood or by a stream I would, i'm sure i'll do that some time soon, and I'll pick a path that's glass shard-free.

[Nurumaiel]

Walking was going well until Tuesday night, when it began to snow. I was thinking of trudging through the snow, but the road was covered, not to speak of the wilderness! It snowed hard for a couple days and then I was amazed at how much time I had to spend on Friday and Saturday! Now the weather is nice and sunny, and though the snow lingers on the ground, the road is clear.

1. Which of the four hobbits (Frodo, Sam, Merry, Pippin) do you identify with the most? All of them, at some times
2. Why? Frodo, because there are just times where I can relate to him entirely. Sam, mainly because of a pony I'm completely in love with. Merry and Pippin, because I can be just like them sometimes.
3. Is there another hobbit besides those four that you identify with more? Robin Brandybuck and Donnamira 4. Where did that hobbit come from? (Fanfic? RPG? Tolkien?) Robin is from the Long Winter, I can identify with her greatly, and Don, because, even though she's just a child, her personality is much like mine.
5. What's your favorite walking song? Any old Irish song
6. What's your favorite Middle-Earth walking song? Upon the hearth the fire is red...
7. Do you sing it to a tune? Which one/where did you get it? From the BBC Lord of the Rings radio... show... thing
8. What's your primary method of getting to Rivendell? (Walking, running, biking... etc.) Walking
9. Secondary method of getting to Rivendell? (walking running etc.) Biking
10. If you had a Shire-pony what would you name him or her? I already have (well, not own) one... little Tinker!
11. Besides the usual camping & travel stuff, what single special item is in your hobbit-knapsack and why? A map of the road from Hobbiton to Rivendell
12. Are you travelling alone or with other Rivendell walkers, and do they have hobbit-alter-egos? About three others
14. In hobbit-society, have you come of age yet (33) or not? Not yet...
What you can/cannot tolerate/enjoy about the Shire that we're leaving behind:
15. Pipes: yes or no? Don't smoke
16. Ale: yes or no? Don’t drink
17. Gardens: Yes or no? I find little gardens of wild flowers everywhere I go.
18. Living below ground: yes or no? I think it would be an interesting experiment.
19. Dancing the Sprinkle Ring: yes or no? I admit I've never done it before.
20. Huge parties: yes or no? I prefer small parties with the family
21. What you like the least about The Shire? The Sackville-Bagginses! Am I ever glad to say goodbye to them!
22. Where you would want your summer cottage (or smial)? Tuckborough
23. Where you would settle in for the winter? Tuckborough again
24. What would your hobbittish proffession be? A stablemaster or a groom
25. This one is for Dragoneyes: Will you try walking barefoot at some point, and what is your plan for doing it safely? It wouldn't be safe here.

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Happy belated birthday Miss Lyra Greenleaf!

[LINZIELF]

[img]smilies/cool.gif[/img] [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] walked barefoot for 1 mile today - how did the Hobbits get their feet clean? walked along reading poems from TLOTR but kept walking into the sea!!Glad to report that the south coast of uk is free from black riders but also lacking in the likes of the Green Dragon. tomorrow I will be walking over Nine Barrow Down and shall eat second breakfast on top of Long Barrow. Glad I bought pedometer but very adictive to keep walking and racking up miles!

[Lyra Greenleaf]

Happy belated birthday Miss Lyra Greenleaf!

Thank you! I still can't believe I'm an adult...

Anyway, I just walked 3 miles, and so have officially started my Walk to Rivendell. I'm quite impressed with myself!

Can we have another list of participants please? I want to see who else is doing this thing and I hope seeing my name on the list will give me even more motivation!

[ April 06, 2003: Message edited by: Lyra Greenleaf ]

[dragoneyes]

Just out of interest, but where would the hobbits be about now if they started the same time as we had? We've been going a week or so now?

It amazes me that I've done in a week what they did in a day.

[mark12_30]

It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door!

Here is the (rather impressive) list of hobbits.

I am reminded of a custom we have in my old town: teeming hordes, some dressed as minutemen and some playing fifes and drums, retrace the 7-mile route of a certain revolutionary hero who died first in the war.

But here, instead of The Isaac Davis Trail, we (playing Pennywhistles to the tune of Concerning Hobbits, and humming The Road Goes Ever On and On) march our furryfooted progress along The Frodo Baggins ReMarch. Our re-enactment spans not hours but months-- and timezones, too.

It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door! We are, indeed, being swept off to we know not-quite-where.

(edit: for the list of walkers please check the opening post.)

[ April 22, 2003: Message edited by: mark12_30 ]

[Lalaith]

I make that 33. We've come of age, hobbit-wise...

[Tarvasa]

OOo, I am so disapointed in myself! I didn't walk or bike at all today! I can't walk any where without an adult, and everyone I knew slept the afternoon away...what lazy hobbits. [img]smilies/confused.gif[/img]

[Raefindel]

Gift of the Elves

When they came to make their meal, they found that the Elves had filled their bottles with a clear drink, pale golden is colour: it had the scent of a honey made of many flowers, and was wonderfully refreshing. Very soon they were laughing, and snapping their fingers at the rain, and at Black Riders. The last few miles,they felt, would soon be behind them.

This passage always made me laugh, and yet it also made me wonder...Why would the Elves give to the Hobbits such spirits that would lessen their fear and release their inhibitions? It's like they intentionally put them in danger.

[Horse-Maiden of the Shire]

I slept until 1:00. Then I walked along the path around my village in the Shire and got myself a suitable walking-stick. I conquered three miles today. I did five yesterday! It was my first day, and I was on a roll! But i start school tomorrow, so it shall become more difficult. Hobbits shouldn't have to go to school!

[Faenaduial]

Well I finally walked out my door and started the walk to Rivendell. This elf didn't make much progress on Saturday (2 miles) as the weather was cold and rainy but today finished a four mile hike.

It is supposed to snow tomorrow. If it does we will see if this elf can tread atop the snow.

This passage always made me laugh, and yet it also made me wonder...Why would the Elves give to the Hobbits such spirits that would lessen their fear and release their inhibitions? It's like they intentionally put them in danger.

I don't believe the elves would intentionally put the hobbits in danger. Rather they may not have know the affect their drink would have on the hobbits.

Um...First of all, I would LOVE to join in on this...but could I perhaps BIKE instead of WALK? I mean, as long as everyone's ok with that, you know. It's just that I bike alot, so it would be good for me to have a REASON so I bike with a PURPOSE you know? [img]smilies/cool.gif[/img]

Anywho, that's my ?.

Perlanthiriel (aka Rosie)

[mark12_30]

Hi, Perlanthiriel (aka Rosie)-- sure, bikes are fine-- as long as you give your bike a Shire-pony name, refer to yourself by your hobbit (or elf) name, and tell all your progress stories in terms of Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin's journey! That, by the way, is the idea for all of us at this point.

Speaking of the which: I am, indeed, most like Frodo out of all the hobbits; I went on my morning journey, and apparently lost a treasure: a diamond earring. (I thought those threaded posts were supposed to be secure??) I retraced my four-mile-walk looking for it, so it turned into an eight-mile walk, but "treasure"-wise no luck. For all I can locate the thing, it may as well have fallen into the Sammath Naur.

So if I am found next year in delirium holding a white gem (the other earring!) and groaning, "It is gone forever and now all is dark and empty", you'll just have to send me west.

[Raefindel]

Oh my goodness, Helen! How many carats? Bet you're crying crocadile tears!

[mark12_30]

Rae, RedhairedElf, you are the best companion. Thank you. I thought of you this morning when I was feverishly hunting through Bag-End for Something Precious (what was it again?...) and I found the envelope you sent me that LOTR videotape in! Did I ever ask you to thank your honey for doing that?

Carats-- oh, it wasn't the Arkenstone or anything like that. The pair totals 1/3 carat. But they are pure and white, high-q, and most importantly a Christmas present from my honey.

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Actually, it was a bit of a lesson...

he who cannot cast away a treasure at need, is in fetters.

Perhaps she who searches ALL DAY LONG for a lost treasure is also in fetters...

[Raefindel]

He was happy to dub those off for you. I did tell him you thanked him.

Hey, am I the only Elf on this walk?

[alaklondewen]

Don't forget me, Raefindel!

During today's journey, we stopped and had a small meal when we reached Frodo's first campsite. My pack was heavy, so I was glad for the rest.

I have entered Green Hill Country, and it's beautiful. But I can't stay here long, my eyes are now fixed on Woody End. Who knows I may run into a Black Rider tomorrow.

[Horse-Maiden of the Shire]

My goodness! It is taking me forever to get out of Bywater! I walked four more miles today--hopefully I will be somewhere else by the end of the week. Maybe I should stop going back to visit the Dragon... [img]smilies/rolleyes.gif[/img]

[Raefindel]

That's right alaklondewen. I can't forget about you. [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

[Joy]

This sounds cool! I was just about to begin my walking program again, as I am now out of work and just got over a sprained ankle (torn ligiment).

I can do that. I will be walking 5 miles a day 3 times a week. I hope I can complete the challenge by then.

[Schmendrick]

"Frodo felt a soft touch on his face. He put out his arm and saw the dim white flakes of snow settling on his sleeve. ---
They went on. But before long the snow was falling fast, filling all the air, and swirling into Frodo's eyes."

Well, with this quote I just want to say that the weather has not changed here in Fin...I mean, Bywater [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]! I hope there will be a change soon - I'm getting discouraged! I have so much catching up to do, now...
p.s. I hope you'll find your Precious, Helen! [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

[mark12_30]

Joy.... Joy??? Kingdom Warrior, Is that you? I haven't bumped into you "in, like, forever"; wow, it's good to see you? I'm so glad you found this thread! At fifteen miles a week you should do fine. But after what you've been thru if you get to Bree you'll be a champ in my eyes. Weathertop, and I'll celebrate! You go, girl!

Thank you, Schmendrick ! Much appreciated... It'll either show up or not, at this point. And Spring will come, hang in there; we just got a thick layer of snow, too (thick for us anyway, looks like 4 or 6 inches to me). But it's not Caradhras, and it'll melt.

Rae and alaklondewen, I can occasionally morph into LinGalad as necessary. He's m'new alter-ego. I need to get used to him anyway.

Y'know, it occurs to me that some of us are likely to arrive at Rivendell at about the same season that Frodo did. How many of you have rivers you can ford? [img]smilies/tongue.gif[/img]

On horseback? [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

With nine creepy people chasing you? [img]smilies/frown.gif[/img]

On black horses? [img]smilies/eek.gif[/img]

The worst part is falling off and fainting at just the right time. [img]smilies/rolleyes.gif[/img]

[ April 08, 2003: Message edited by: mark12_30 ]

[Rochelle]

Watch out Mark12_30! Bucklebury Ferry is crawling with black riders! *lol* (Or if you're looking at this from the actors perspective...be careful of splinters!)

[Lyra Greenleaf]

Walking Guidelines for Hobbits:
For those of us more used to the leafy lanes and green hills of the Shire, here is some advice for coping with twenty-first century city walking.

• If you want to sing rousing songs (for example, the road goes ever on...) be prepared for funny looks
• Walking over tarmac and concrete is never as fun as through grass. It also takes longer!
• Bare feet: not a good idea! (trainers are quite useful)
• Watch out for black riders...

#

I have to report a black riders sighting. Walking to the library I found three odd people standing staring at nothing among the gorse bushes. They were all seperate, and all looking in the same direction. On my way back I found two different. Where the other four are, I do not know... I know they were black riders as they took no notice of anyone passing. I had to take a detour as one would not get out of my way. They are obviously looking for something. They also all had their heads covered with hats and hoods. You think fake burberry fools me? No way!

[Joy]

Yeah, it's me Helen - still a living-dead [img]smilies/tongue.gif[/img]

That's what I felt like for a while earlier this year! I had to disappear for a while as work was hetic (I was doing tech support for Bellsouth's DSL Internet access).

Because of that job (and the sprain which happened at work), I wound up in a Crohn's flare and had to quit work. Now I have to take the Remicade treatments every 2 months, just had my last one on March 25. The treatment is similar to chemo, but doesn't have as many side effects.

One plus though - I now weight almost 40 lbs lighter than I did last summer when I started walking (and Weight Watchers). I feel good! I can do this! Going to buy a pedometer today! [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

[Schmendrick]

Lyra, your description of the "black riders" was hilarious!!"Where the other four are, I do not know..." it made me laugh aloud! [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]
People are so strange...

[Bulelainwen]

I'm defintly going to join! I was planning already to go walk a little bit in about 20 minutes or so. Now all i need is a walking stick. All that walking around school and during track really does add up. Good Luck everyone!