Walk To Rivendell" aka "The Eowyn Challenge"

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Been seeing quite a few rabbits on the morning walks. I wonder if the hobbits saw as many. I counted 8 in 1 mile! No wonder Tolkien didn’t mention a food shortage at this point! Also have been hearing those “hidden birds”. One of them sounds like a cross between a crow and a badly played high note on a cello. Hear it first thing in the morning. Pretty eery.

The certificate sounds like a good idea!

The tattoo sounds good too, but only if it temporary. I could put it next to the eye on my right ankle. This is not exactly true, but any Lemony Snicket fans might find it amusing. No, I am not a follower of Sauron!
[img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] [img]smilies/eek.gif[/img] [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

[ May 27, 2003: Message edited by: Hilde Bracegirdle ]

[Arafangwen]

I'm now at Crickhollow and am at 74 miles right now. I have recently been in Mississippi(Bucklebury Ferry) walking all over in the forests and around the lakes with my cousins. I also permenantly impressed The road goes ever on and on.... in their minds.
*walks off singing to herself* The road goes ever on and on, out from the door...

[Vardamar]

Vardamar had heard of the Great Barrows, and the green mounds, and the stone-rings upon the hills and in the hollows among the hills. Sheep were bleating in flocks. Green walls and white walls rose. There were fortresses on the heights. Kings of little kingdoms fought together, and the young Sun shone like fire on the red metal of their new and greedy swords. There was victory and defeat; and towers fell, fortresses were burned, and flames went up into the sky.

Hehe…I ran 18 miles in 5 days(3 5mile runs, and 3 1mile runs) just to get away from the infernal racket that some call Tom’s singing. I’m up to 134 miles now, and am wandering the Barrow-Downs! Tomorrow I start my cycling, for I must be ready for the local triathlon this fall…

On a side note, I am now a Wight with 101 posts!

[Raefindel]

Way to go, Vardamar!

How Hobbit-like of you Arafangwen; walking with cousins. [img]smilies/cool.gif[/img]

[mark12_30]

Zounds, I am being left in the dust! Some of you hobbits and elves are traipsing along at amazing speeds. I have updated the list (in the first post) as best I can. Please put your miles in your profile, it makes it MUCH easier for me! Thanks to those of you that are already doing that.

[Lindolirian]

I've been forgetting to tell you all my progress! I have now biked 170 miles. Hoorah! Hm, I wonder how my TREK would really hold up in Chetwood.

[Alatáriël Lossëhelin]

I have created a certificate of recognition for all those who complete the Walk to Rivendell.

alaklondewen: What a great idea!! [img]smilies/cool.gif[/img] I like the idea of e-mailing them to us with our names already printed in. Of course, you know you'll need to do another one when we reach Mt. Doom....

____________________

What a relaxing weekend!! Goldberry and I just lazed around the campsite, chit-chatting and having a pint or two. We did take a short hike down to the river and bathed our feet in the water, but that's about it. I saw a gold ring lying on the side of the path, so I picked it up and put it in my pocket. (Don't tell Gollum!!) Only 6 more miles to go before we get to the East Road, and then it's on to Bree!! [img]smilies/tongue.gif[/img]

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While they were eating Tom went up to the mound, and looked through the treasures. Most of these he made into a pile that glistened and sparkled on the grass. He bade them lie there 'free to all finders, birds, beasts, Elves or Men, and all kindly creatures'; for so the spell of the mound should be broken and scattered and no Wight ever come back to it. He chose for himself from the pile a brooch set with blue stones, many-shaded like flax-flowers or the wings of blue butterflies.
...For each of the hobbits he chose a dagger, long, leaf-shaped, and keen, of marvellous workmanship, damasked with serpent-forms in red and gold. They gleamed as he drew them from their black sheaths, wrought of some strange metal, light and strong, and set with many fiery stones.

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Somehow I always thought Goldberry the white wine type.

[peony_foxburr]

Peony begins to wonder if the logo on her sneakers stands for "Nazgul Balance" as that pesky blister on one heel WON'T go away!!! And the Elvish medicine doesn't seem to keep it from opening up [img]smilies/frown.gif[/img]...Back to lots of big Bandaids over the heel...She does have to walk very fast for her short hobbit legs to keep up with that Longshanks Strider fella. As it began raining quite hard in the Forest today, she walked even faster and estimates she was cruising along at 1 mile in 14 mins. Go Peony!

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Go Peony, go! Wow a 14 minute mile...I have been averaging in at 3 miles an hour even in the rain!

I figured that if I were trying to walk 17 miles a day, like our friends, it would take close to 6 hours or more with out any breaks. Then one would have to set up camp, cook, break up camp and so on in there too. Sounds like a realistic distance to me. Barring blisters and other unscheduled events of course! Hope yours will heal quickly!

[ May 29, 2003: Message edited by: Hilde Bracegirdle ]

[Rochelle]

Hi all!

I've been a bit aloft lately due to the continuing education. However summer is at my door, and I hope to be able to run my way to Rivendell before winter sets in! I have a few miles to add to my total...but I'm sure I'm way behind the rest.

I'm like that little hobbit who always ends up dawdling at the back of the pack [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

[Nurumaiel]

Glad to see you're still around, Rochelle, even if you haven't had time to walk.

I'm taking a rest at Crickhollow, I suppose. Since there is absolutely no time to walk and nowhere to go, I've been counting the miles walking around the small cabin and retrieving ping-pong balls for the kids. Now I understand how Frodo must have felt when he arrived at Crickhollow. Everything was being done to make it comfortable and like home, but it isn't home just the same, and you wish you were back. But home is 75 miles away.... (or, if I were to be realistic, 25 - 30 miles). I am also missing my garden, so I can sympathize with Sam as well.

Needless to say, I am still walking, though I haven't had the time to post here.

[Alatáriël Lossëhelin]

Wow, it sure took a long time to reach the Road. But now we're only 8 miles from Bree...I think I'll join Goldberry at the Butterbur Day Spa & have a massage too.

Somehow I always thought Goldberry the white wine type.

That's just a front she puts on in public. She likes a pint of beer as well as (or better than) any hobbit I know.

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...at last they saw a line of tall trees ahead, and they knew that they had come back to the Road after many unexpected adventures. They galloped their ponies over the last furlongs, and halted under the long shadows of the trees. They were on the top of a sloping bank, and the Road, now dim as evening drew on, wound away below them.
...They rode down the bank and looked up and down. There was nothing to be seen. 'Well, here we are again at last!' said Frodo. 'I suppose we haven't lost more than two days by my short cut through the Forest!'
...only now when it lay beneath their feet did they remember the danger which pursued them, and was more than likely to be lying in wait for them upon the Road itself. They looked anxiously back towards the setting sun, but the Road was brown and empty.

[Tarvasa]

Took a break, but the last time I was out on the road I kept stumbling, which is way too much for this fat hobbit. I met some high elves, and I am now staying at thier home for a while, I don't want to leave! But, there is that other lovely elven home farther away, I must reach it! Now at 43 miles....Now I am going to go curl up and read the Silmarillion.

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

Sophia finds herself trudging and trudging. She's still in the Bonfire Glade, though she's come seven miles since her last post. Fortunately with the weekend coming up she should get in a big old hike (around an amusement park).

Stopping to peer into the distance Sophia thinks she spots Alaklondewen a good thirty miles up the road. She hauls up her pants (which aren't noticeably looser, but it seems that they should be with all the running about she's been doing) and sets off in the wake of the quickly vanishing Alak. She has a long way to go if she's to catch up by Bree.

[Gorwingel]

Hey Helen I finally added my milage to my location. I estimated that with all my running, warming up, and races for track, my walking to and from school, walks with my Mom and the dogs in the evening, the work outs on the treadmill, and the two 12 km races that I have completed, that I have probably traveled about 289 miles. Better than I thought I could have done.

[ May 30, 2003: Message edited by: Gorwingel ]

[Nurumaiel]

Journeying on through the Bonfire Glade, Miss Robin Brandybuck caught sight of Sophia, walking only ten miles ahead of her. Maybe if Miss Brandybuck hurries, the two can walk together for a ways!

Yesterday I took a three mile walk and it was absolutely beautiful. I walked along the lakeside on this beautiful, completely empty trail well-worn from the horses that have passed over it through the years. It took my breath away, especially when me and the young hobbit lad walking with me came to what I call a 'sand-cliff' -which is basically the trail atop the sand which slopes down a long way into the water- with spider plants all over it, making me feel just as though I were on a mysterious and abandoned isle...

[Arafangwen]

Rushing to leave Crickhollow(she hated crickets) Arafangwen passed through Bonfire Glade and saw Nurumaiel not far ahead but running quickly away. She decided to try and catch up with her and walk with company for a change(even though the urge to stay at the excitingly large fires was extremely tempting). She had decided that walking with her cousins was meriting her as a hobbit, and this she did not like(she was an elf after all [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] ). *walks off singing, what else!?* (82 miles! Yeah me!)

[Niluial]

Hey.. Ok I am still walking... beeing dragged out of bed by my boyfriend.. running, ice-skating and going to the gym... does it ever stop? Ok I worked it out I have done 138 miles.. not bad [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

[Alatáriël Lossëhelin]

Hey look, Goldberry!! There's Bree-hill off in the distance. We'll be there tonight. It's a good thing I called Mr. Butterbur yesterday for reservations. He also promised to have supper ready in our rooms when we get there. I don't think I'll go into the Common Room with this ring in my pocket.

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"I am sorry to take leave of Master Bombadil," said Sam. "...But I won't deny I'll be glad to see this 'Prancing Pony' he spoke of. I hope it'll be like 'The Green Dragon' away back home!" ..."It may be all we could wish," said Frodo; "but it is outside the Shire all the same. Don't make yourselves too much at home! Please remember--all of you--that the name of Baggins must NOT be mentioned. I am Mr. Underhill, if any name must be given."

They now mounted their ponies and rode off silently into the evening. Darkness came down quickly, as they plodded slowly downhill and up again, until at last they saw lights twinkling some distance ahead.

Before them rose Bree-hill barring the way, a dark mass against misty stars; and under its western flank nestled a large village. Towards it they now hurried desiring only to find a fire, and a door between them and the night.

[Tinuviel of Denton]

Just to let everyone know, Durlossiel and I are still walking. I've about 100 miles, and Durlossiel about 90. (I do more walking than she does.)

I hope swimming counts.

[Vardamar]

Whether because of Vardamar's skill or for some other reason, they saw no sign and heard no sound of any other living thing all that day: neither two-footed, except birds; nor four-footed, except one fox and a few squirrels.


164 miles, boy you travel much faster on the bike then on foot [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

[peony_foxburr]

Peony was very curious about all the strange new flowers and plants they had passed in the Chetwood Forest, but no one had time to identify them to her (even if she hadn't been nearly breathless keeping up with the rest of the party!). When they camped for the night, she spied a beautiful vine, as colorful as the autumn leaves, climbing a tree, and pointed it out to Strider. "Don't touch it!" he warned her, and she snatched her hand back. "It is poisonous, and you would break out in a terrible rash of boils that would itch until you scratched yourself bloody."

"Mercy me!" said Peony. "I never saw that growing in the Shire. Only the Enemy would make such an evil plant so beautiful." And she busied herself smearing more ointment on her blistered foot.

[Nurumaiel]

Having just walked 4 miles, Nurumaiel spots Sophia only that many miles ahead. She begins to hurry forward, stopping for a moment to let the misty spray from the large waterfall hit her in the face, marvelling at the beautiful sight. Then onward she hurries towards Rivendell, and, at a closer goal, Sophia.

[Tefalathiel]

I made it through the Old Forest and the Barrowdowns [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] . But I still have a long way to go. And the upcomming exams are surely not going to help!
Well, even if I have to slow down for a while, the holliday will arrive. Just wait for it!

[Arafangwen]

Arafangwen watched as the scenery passed by at a much slower, but more peaceful pace than normal, the Century plants had only just begun to bloom on the path she was taking and she wanted to enjoy the sweet fragrance of them as long as she could. On the other hand, she had just sighted Nurumaiel only a mile or so ahead of her, mabey if she sped up only a little.....

[Alatáriël Lossëhelin]

Aaah!! What a great massage! I didn't realize how many sore muscles I had...I feel much better now. Mr. B had our rooms ready when we arrived, with bread & butter, cheese, mushrooms and a wonderful onion soup for our dinner. And, of course, The Pony's excellent beer. Goldberry was going to do some shopping this morning before heading home, so I left on my own just after breakfast. Even with my new elf slippers, there's still a mighty long way to go. I heard some sniffing outside last night, so I'll cut across country to hide from the Black Riders.

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It was dark, and white stars were shining, when Frodo and his companions came at last to the Greenway-crossing and drew near the village. They came to the West-gate and found it shut, but at the door of the lodge beyond it, there was a man sitting. ..."What do you want, and where do you come from?" he asked gruffly.

"We are making for the inn here," answered Frodo. "We are journeying east and cannot go further tonight."

..."We are hobbits from Buckland, and we have a fancy to travel and to stay at the inn here," put in Merry. "I am Mr. Brandybuck. Is that enough for you?"

..."All right, all right!" said the man. "I meant no offence. But you'll find maybe that more folk than old Harry at the gate will be asking you questions. There's queer folk about. If you go on to 'The Pony', you'll find you're not the only guests."

[Raefindel]

After Helen and I hiked we both checked our pedometers; Her's said 3 1/2 miles Mine said 2 1/2. Now, a week later mine just bit the dust- stupid thing!

I'm now in the Weather Hills and I see Weathertop in the distance. My injury is slowing me but not stopping me. I guess I'm just too stubborn.

[ArwenBaggins]

Hi Again Guys!
My life's overwhelmed me the last couple of months, so I haven't posted. Never Fear, Fëa is here! I haven't quit walking!

My total so far is approx. 120 miles after a 3 1/5 mile hike this morning. Yay! I've finally made it just past Tom Bombadil's House!

I will try to post more often, with this week being the last week of school. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

-Fëa

[ June 01, 2003: Message edited by: ArwenBaggins ]

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

Sophia pauses, from the top of the bald hill and looks back. Robin Brandybuck is hurrying along not too far from her. She grins and hopes Miss Brandybuck will catch up soon. Sophia's tired of walking alone.

But, she's found out that a day at the amusement park is good for a whole lot (10) of miles... especially a day in the rain where the waits are minimal. [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] This elf's discovered she loves rollercoasters...

[Neferchoirwen]

*phew!*

I'm still walking!
I haven't been going online, but I've been loyal to my treadmill...so far, I've got around 30 plus km on my mileage, which makes about 21.5 miles...long way to go, but i've got some more walks that i haven't added up.

Plus...it's raining...no afternoon walks for me for about two more weeks [img]smilies/frown.gif[/img]

[ June 02, 2003: Message edited by: Neferchoirwen ]

[Faenaduial]

The elf looked back at the twinkling lights of Hobbiton with fond thoughts of the merry hobbits snug and safe behind their doors.

Sorry for not posting regularly. Unfortunately lifes unexpected happenings have gotten in the way of both posting and walking but I am getting back on track. I've posted the 30 miles I walked before things got crazy.

It's a beautiful day here today and I can't wait to get out late this afternoon and sing some walking songs!

[mark12_30]

Good to see so many of you returning to the thread and/ or to the road! Welcome back, you've been missed!

I'm glad to leave those neekerbreeking marshes behind! Is that lightning on the horizon? I wonder where Gandalf is.

[Lyra Greenleaf]

It's been lovely weather here in London. In fact, just a little too lovely. I may have to start complaining about British weather in reverse. At least it hasn't been headachey since the thunderstorm...
The problem with good weather is it attracts every Black Rider for miles around. And take my word for it there are many more than 9 around here! They all seem to be topless men who think I'm only going for a walk to be wolf-whistled at, or asked out in an Eastern European accent. Not that I have a problem with Eastern European accents, (it's the idiots their attached to that I mind), it's just...Aaargh! [img]smilies/mad.gif[/img] . I don't WANT to have to walk around the streets instead to get away from them! Why do so few women walk around here? Maybe it's them...

So, I think I've fgured out why the Nazgul King thought he was safe from women. He was a sexist piG!

[Tinuviel of Denton]

Well, Lyra, I seem to have the same problem (minus the accents. I get Texas/Mordor drawls.)

Anyway, does anyone know what 1500 km translated into miles is?

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Here I thought I was the only one! Walking in lousey weather does have it's advantages.

In my corner of Middle Earth they are scruffy and toothless ruffians (read rednecks) asking if you are a damsel in distress. One doesn't generally like to discourage geniune concern, but in these cases the sincerity and sobriety is a bit doubtful. [img]smilies/frown.gif[/img]

[mark12_30]

I heartily recommend a large ferocious dog. Wolf, Fang, Grip... mine is named Chonea-- what can I tell you, she smeared her mascara-- but the black riders keep their distance anyway.

Oh, and don't forget Killer, The Terror Of Richmond. Look out, Wargs, you don't have a chance.

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

LOL! Walk in a sweatshirt, it helps, if you can stand the heat.

Around here the Nazgul have a generic midwest sort of accent and yell from cars parked at stoplights. They're generally much younger than the undead version, around 17, I'd guess, and they think they're real cool if the rap music emanating from their car is louder than the next guy's engine. And since the next guy is likely another Nazgul, it's a real contest at times. *Sighs* Why can't I live in Rohan, where cars haven't been invented yet and there's not really anyplace to go in them anyway? (Since I don't go anywhere anyway it wouldn't be much of a loss on that count [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]).

Sophia

I love your various Stitch Avatars, Helen!

[Horse-Maiden of the Shire]

Hoo dogey! I've been on the lam for a few weeks, for the crebain have been following me and they just wouldn't let up! Luckily I shook them off in the Old Forest. Heh heh heh. And then I spotted a Black Rider. Which was scary. I've made it to the Great East Road, however--not far to Bree! Good ol' Barley.

Luckily, in my corner of M-E there are NO Nazgul like that. The one I spotted was a real Nazgul, and it was at night, and I took off running like Sauron himself was after me. And I do have a large dog. Unfortunately, she isn't ferocious. Sticklebats.

[ June 02, 2003: Message edited by: Horse-Maiden of the Shire ]

[Alatáriël Lossëhelin]

They all seem to be topless men who think I'm only going for a walk to be wolf-whistled at, or asked out in an Eastern European accent.

I get Texas/Mordor drawls.

...scruffy and toothless ruffians (read rednecks) asking if you are a damsel in distress...

Fortunately, I don't have that problem. There is no place to walk or bike-ride out where I live (in the middle of Wilderland), unless you want to take your life in your hands. Only a narrow two-lane blacktop with no shoulder, people who drive like maniacs and packs of roaming dogs. No beautiful hikes through the woods or along the beach. I have to do all my walking on my treadmill.
____________________

These woods around Bree are much prettier than the Old Forest (and much friendlier too). Unfortunately, Strider wasn't in Bree this weekend so I'm on my own right now. Which means I got lost and went in circles for a while. I left a message for him with Mr. Butterbur, so I hope he catches up to me soon. I don't want to have to navigate the Marshes on my own.

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"Well," said Strider, "with Sam's permission we will call that settled. Strider shall be your guide. We shall have a rough road tomorrow. Even if we are allowed to leave Bree unhindered, we can hardly hope now to leave it unnoticed. But I shall try to get lost as soon as possible. I know one or two ways out of Bree-land other than the main road. If once we shake off the pursuit, I shall make for Weathertop. ...After Weathertop our journey will become more difficult, and we shall have to choose between various dangers."