Walk To Rivendell" aka "The Eowyn Challenge"

[Lyra Greenleaf]

Yay! Hobbit dancing. I always liked country dancing although it wasn't "cool". It would be great to have a Ceili. Maybe someone would suggest it to Mithadan for next year's BDs party? ( [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] ).

Someone asked if Black Rider activity was a daily occurence- it is. Me and my friends tend to compare notes. And when we're together we gang up on them right back!

I was trying out the 5 senses today as I walked, thinking of the best and worst things about walking down city streets.

SIGHT: Litter is a big problem. It's great to see kids running around, my area has the highest birth rate in the country.

HEARING: Traffic noise is horrible, but it's nice to hear people talking in lots of different languages. I live in a truly multicultural place, as "White British" I'm officially an ethnic minority.

SMELL: Diesel fumes from busses. It was really hard to think of anything positive. I used to love the shoe repairer's shop which smelt of leather- gorgeous!- but he retired a few months ago.

TASTE: Car fumes in the back of your throat when you breathe is terrible. What is nice is Thai Sweet Chilli flavour crisps!

TOUCH: Concrete is not nice to walk on. It's nice stroking cats sunbathing in front of their doors- but then that's cheating because it's usually mine!

[Neferchoirwen]

Oh! the senses list! forgot to do that!

sight: there was this huge sky-blue truck that was stranded in the middle of the street. other than that...i decided NOT to bring sunglasses with me, thinking "my ancestors never had sunglasses, ans so maybe I can get used to the sun. The trees were gorgeous, and small and petite.

smell: miraculously, there was nearly no pollution...either that, or the cars sped by me that I hadn't noticed, or of course, there are the trees

touch: or feel, rather. The atmosphere was hardly humid, and I never had a heat stroke, nor did i faint!

hear: this bus blew its horn like wild. and condtruction sites here and there broke through concrete beyond walls my eyes couldn't reach (wow, that was poetic!)

taste: the taste of shilled ices tea was dancing in my head.

Ah, and this walk was such a feat: I walk more than 2 miles in 5 inch heels with a backpack hanging behind me!

[mark12_30]

five inch heels

*COUGH COUGH COUGH* What? Are you SERIOUS? No hobbit (nor elf either) would EVER ... EVER... oh, Nef, Nef. Don't you think Legolas' "light shoes" were more like sneakers or even like boat shoes??

Nef, PLEASE, sweetie, let go of the heels. Not good for your feets, your ankles, your legs, or your back. And trust me-- nobody in ME wears them. Nobody.

Welllll, maybe Saruman.

[mark12_30]

Nurumaiel uthe helpful hobbit updated the milage on the opening page, thank you Nuru!

[ArwenBaggins]

Bree was the chief village of the Bree-land, a small inhabited region, like an island in the empty lands round about. Besides Bree itself, there was Staddle on the other side of the hill, Combe in a deep valley a little further eastward, and Archet on the edge of the Chetwood. Lying round Bree-hill and the villages was a small country of fields and tamed woodland only a few miles broad.

Bree! I can't believe it! I've walked 155 miles! [img]smilies/eek.gif[/img] Only 303 to Rivendell!

[Alatáriël Lossëhelin]

I spent the morning adding to my LotR action figure collection, the afternoon walking on the treadmill, & the evening watching TTT again at the local discount theatre. I've almost made it out of the Chetwood...hope those darn Black Riders aren't waiting for me in the Marshes. If anybody sees Strider wandering around, tell him I said to hurry up!

--------------------

Whether because of Strider'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. The next day they began to steer a steady course eastwards; and still all was quiet and peaceful.

[Niluial]

I woke up this morning before getting into the shower, before putting my makeup on (:eek [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] I put on my shorts and a sweat-shirt and running shoes and jogged to the beach, I ran along the beach and back home! *few*!!! But I got the shower I deserved!!

I have crossed the Great Road and headed south (264). It is 4 miles to the next landmark. I only have 190 miles to Rivendell!!! [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]… Hurra!!!

[mark12_30]

Hello, Niluial! Welcome to South of the Great Road. Would you like to join Hilde and myself? Although, we walk and you run, so conversation might be a bit difficult.

*glances at the running shoes* Hilde, the elf's wearing those fancy elf-shoes. It might be tough for us to keep up. Can she walk on snow with those?

Well, elf-lady, it's good to see you anyway-- perhaps we can just catch up to you at the campsite each night. (Then, you could sing for us. Those elvish songs are pretty nice.) Oh, and you wouldn't happen to have any of that nice elvish waybread about you, would you? Or Miruvor-- might help Hilde's cold.

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Hi ho, you’re still here Helen! How nice… and nice to see you too Niluial! Lovely shoes, though I think Helen its right, we may not be able to keep up with you, being hobbits and walking.

Feeling a bit stronger today. Will try to get some walking in and see how far I get. Maybe a mile at least! [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

[Lyra Greenleaf]

Lyra, you too? One more and we'll have enough for a foursome reel.

It's not Ceili dancing but I always loved the three-hand, where the two outside people hold hands over the middle one's head. Of course it's best if you're in the middle and don't have aching arms!

Senses: SIGHT: Today I saw a hubcap fall off a car and spin on it's side for at least 100 metres. I had to stop and stare!
SMELL: The clean smell of grass directly after rain.
SOUND: People flying model aeroplanes.
TOUCH: Grass poking through my flip-flops (well at least they're not killer heels!)
TASTE: Is there anything nicer than the first mouthful of water when you're thirsty and hot?

For my fellow Hobbits- a word of advice. It may be highly irregular for our kind, and perhaps it's the dryad in me ( [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] ) speaking, but I would strongly urge you to try tree climbing. It's fun, good exercise for the upper body, and FREE! It also provides a great sense of achievement.

[the phantom]

I'm leaving for Rivendell sometime this week. I'm hoping to get there about as quick as Shadowfax would (I can dream, can't I). Actually, it depends on how much free time I have. Good luck to everyone.

[mark12_30]

Well, Phantom, glad you joined us! And welcome!

Lyra, the threesome dance sounds fun. I don't think I'm familiar with it. Tree-climbing, though-- well, some hobbits (Bolco, Gamba, even Lindo) are VERY fond of climbing trees. Our local pine isn't very well-suited. But now, with all the woods I go through, I have more options-- for instance, that LOVELY, majestic beech... Hmmm, I'll be passing it again on Tuesday... [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

[Nurumaiel]

I've walked three miles today. While walking I spotted many beautiful wildflowers, some that I would absolutely love to have in my garden. I also discovered that I could walk a mile in 15 minutes!

Tomorrow I'll be going on a long trip, but I think I'll be able to walk during that time. I was really excited about being able to spend some of my WTR time with my pony on Tuesday, but no such luck, since plans have changed and I'll be away. It makes me rather unhappy, but I can live with it... I guess. Even though I haven't seen her in over half a year. Oh yes, I forgot, she's crippled now and can't be ridden. [img]smilies/frown.gif[/img] But I can still see her and walk with her new pony pals, Tootsie and Snickers.

Miss Brandybuck is approaching Old Man Willow at 101 miles... I can already feel danger...

[Tinuviel of Denton]

Oh, my. Lyra, I empathize completely. (Well, except for the proposal part. [img]smilies/eek.gif[/img] ) I get these catcalls all the time. Except for the other day. I have a reeeeeaaallllyyyy bratty little brother. He made a HUGE mess of himself the other day at the park, so guess who had to walk him home (my mom didn't want him in the car. Not that I blame her.) I walked with him, and while I got stares, nobody wanted to come near me, not with that Gollum thing along. (I know it's way too early in the story, but I swear, he was acting like Gollum when Frodo and Sam put the hithlain rope on him.)

I went on a retreat this weekend, and what with going to and from the dorms, waiting tables (that was my job, I was a team member) and running errands for my sisters, I walked about eight miles. My feet hurt.

[ June 09, 2003: Message edited by: Tinuviel of Denton ]

[ June 09, 2003: Message edited by: Tinuviel of Denton ]

[mark12_30]

Kally from the original WtR site sent me this message, and it's really for all of you. Nice to be invited!

Helen,

I just wanted to let you know that we have added a new feature to the EC
site. I know that you have been keeping up with your walkers' miles. I
finally have my database to track miles and it is updated automatically
and can be changed daily. It can be found at http://eowyn.perceive.net/milestones/. I can even give your group their
own shield color if you like.

We have a new online Yahoo group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/walktorivendell/ that is for the walkers to
get to know one another across groups. It is not meant to replace your
thread, but to give your walkers an outlet to discuss more than just LOTR.

We are also having "House Contests" Check it out on the House Contest
page at Eowyn Challenge http://home.insightbb.com/~eowynchallenge/index.html

I wasn't sure if you guys were interested, but I wanted you to know that
you are welcome.

Cheers! Kally

I responded with a resounding "Yes", and she replied thusly:

It will take a few days to get your group added to the database, so let your
walkers know that it is coming and that I'll let you know when to start
registering. Our latest house contest - which is for glory only - will
start around Tuesday or Wednesday. They can participate in that as soon
as its up.

Cheers! Kally

As soon as Kally lets me know that the Barrow Downs group has been added to the database, I will post that here, and those who want to can start using that database.

But please-- DO keep posting your milage in your "FROM"! I find that very encouraging, and I suspect that others do too.

[ June 09, 2003: Message edited by: mark12_30 ]

[alaklondewen]

Alaklondewen is laid up in Bree with a bad back. She's taken the last several days to rest and hopes to leave Bree tomorrow. Butterbur has been very kind to her while she's lounged around, even called a local doctor to come see her.

*********************************

The Inn of Bree was still there, however, and the innkeeper was an important person. His house was a meeting place for the idle, talkative, and inquisitive among the inhabitants, large and small, of the four villages; and a resort of Rangers and other wanderers, and for such travellers (mostly dwarves) as still journeyed on the East Road, to and from the Mountains.

[ June 09, 2003: Message edited by: alaklondewen ]

[ArwenBaggins]

That sounds like it'll be fun Mark12_30! I'll sign up as soon as you are notified we're in!

With a distance of 164 miles, I am just inside of Chetwood Forest. Only 294 miles to Rivendell! [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] [img]smilies/tongue.gif[/img] [img]smilies/eek.gif[/img]
***
Whether because of Strider'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.

[Faenaduial]

This elf is extremely tired of the bad weather we have been having lately. It makes walking and running a misery (I hate the treadmill--very boring.)

The only good thing about it is it seems to keep the Black Riders away. (I guess they don't like to get wet!)

My elf shoes are drying by the fire. It looks like fine weather tonight to continue the hike. [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

[The Barrow-Wight]

Attention all walkers/joggers/runners.

I have added several landmarks between mile 0 and mile 220. I will continue to add more further along the trail. Also, I have changed the Mileage tracker a bit so that it will tell you what the next landmark is when you have covered half the distance to it. This means that if it is 10 miles between landmark A and B, when you have walked 5 miles past A, the name of B will be revealed.

Have fun!

[Lyra Greenleaf]

*Sniff* The BW is too good to us. (Or maybe I'm just emotional since getting a PT, who knows?).

I was thinking about how empty my life will be when I've finished this. I take it we will be carrying on? Walk to Lorien, Walk to Mordor etc? (Please say yes, please say yes!)

[mark12_30]

Dear, delightful Lyra, how could we not?

(Unbeknownst except to a few, there's this simple, plain, round, unadorned ring, dangling on a chain... How to destroy it? Hmmmm. "Walk to Mt. St. Helen's..." Unfortunately, they won't let you get that close. Darn. Perhaps if I fired it from a crossbow? Then again, I might get blamed for the next eruption. Justifiably so, perhaps. Any other active volcanoes in North America?)

I did whisper about continuing on beyond Rivendell in the old thread, but not too loudly, for fear of... well, you know. One way or the other, I suspect we'll keep walking. Not to fret.

[img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

And speaking of PTs, I like yours, and I LOVE the way it meshes with your wonderful sig. Flutes and little drums and happy feet, deep in the woods!

[ June 09, 2003: Message edited by: mark12_30 ]

[peony_foxburr]

Peony had rubbed goodly amounts of Bug Dope onto all her exposed skin before the Fellowship entered the Midgewater Marshes, and endured their jokes about keeping upwind of her in silence. By day's end, they had all sidled up to her and whispered in her ear: "Can you spare me a daub o' that Bug Dope, Peony?"

[Horse-Maiden of the Shire]

Tigerlily, I've been quite lazy lately as well. I've managed to get to Bree (159) but it rained all day today. Luckily, I can swim.

Has anyone heard the version of "Lukey's Boat" by Great Big Sea f. the Chieftains? Great song. Better with the Chieftains.

[EDIT] I was too lazy to read the front page, so I didn't know to do the senses.

SIGHT: My gym teacher going to the hospital, she was wearing a bright yellow jacket.
HEARING: The woman (Dr. DeKlerk) who gave me a ride home was listening to Nirvana. She's about 35 years old! Listening to Nirvana! It was so cool!
SMELL: It stank like worms and earth, for they were all out in the rain.
TASTE: The aftertaste of Ritz Bits Cheese Sandwiches in the back of my throat.
TOUCH: The rain pelting down, cold and hard, on my face, head, arms, legs, and feet. Also my cold, wet socks and rocks in my shoes poking my feet.

mark12_30, that sounds like a LOT of fun! I hope we do it soon!

Must...do...more...miles...

[ June 09, 2003: Message edited by: Horse-Maiden of the Shire ]

[Gorwingel]

Well I think I will tell you about the environment around me while I was doing my part of the journey today...

Sight: There was a firetruck that went by, and also many other people. I was in an athletic club on a treadmill. Additionally four televisions up above showing mainly news channels.
Sound: The constant shrill of treadmills, sometimes loud, sometimes quiet, depending on how many people are in the building, not that much talking.
Smell: Sweat! Is that discription enough? It was clean though.
Taste: Salty and dry, I was running
Touch: It was warm inside with a cool breeze from the fans, I was sweaty

I was very proud because I ran a full 2 1/4 miles in about 20 minutes at 5.6 miles per hour [img]smilies/cool.gif[/img]

[Alatáriël Lossëhelin]

Still no sign of Strider. I hope Butterbur didn't forget to give him my message. It could be hazardous trying to cross the Marshes without a guide, but I may have to if he doesn't hurry.

--------------------

On the third day out from Bree they came out of the Chetwood. The land had been falling steadily, ever since they turned aside from the Road, and they now entered a wide flat expanse of country, much more difficult to manage. They were far beyond the borders of the Bree-land, out in the pathless wilderness, and drawing near to the Midgewater Marshes.

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

Sophia hasn't checked in for a while, too busy gloating over her PT and enjoying the hospitality of Tom and Goldberry.

Tom danced all night, and Sophia taught him a few steps they do in Northern Maine (Sorry, Helen, Nuru, and Lyra- I don't do Scottish or Irish, but French Canadian folk dancing likely has some similar elements... I bet hobbits would enjoy it.) When they finished dancing with flushed faces, late into the night, Goldberry gave Sophia a large mug of iced tea (mmmm....) and sent her to bed in a nice soft featherbed (where she overslept and missed work [img]smilies/rolleyes.gif[/img] ). The next morning, seeiing that she had more than enough free time, Sophia spent an hour and a half walking and covered four miles (From: will soon be updated).

Sights: the kids that are on campus for soccer camp running through knee deep puddles, the blacktop going by under my feet.

Sounds: the soccer kids screeching, someone's dog howling, the fountain in the pond (which I can't see from the track) splashing.

Smells: the brewery in town (ugh).

Touch: a light rain on my hair.

Taste: water, this elf's determined to drink more of it.

Sophia

[the phantom]

I got off to a much slower start than I had hoped. I had to work from 7:30-10:30, go to class from 11:00-12:35, back to work from 1:00-2:30, and to my other job from 3:00-11:00.

I got to jog a little in the morning, but my only time to go for a long, long jog was when I got home from work, but it started storming really bad right when I started. I covered a mere eight miles today. That means that I could still see Hobbiton but one mile ago. I believe Shadowfax is beating me thus far.

[peony_foxburr]

Peony's alter ego took notes (while Peony was feeling all smug about remembering the Bug Dope) on the Senses used while walking:
Sight-deep green grass and leaves (from all the rain), blue-gray clouds (in Pacific NW they seemed much whiter, even when obscuring sun--I THOUGHT cloudy days seemed much brighter there, at least in spring), dots of color from summer flowers emerging in gardens. Friendly hobbits working in their gardens. No Black Riders of any kind spotted.
Sound--roar of lawnmowers!
Smell--pine-hemlock bark mulch [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]. Having a hay fever week, so it's hard to detect subtle scents.
Touch--SWEAT! rolling down my back, in my hair (feels good to lift off my hat for a moment and fluff it up to cool off). It was not hot, but humid that day. And the Alter Ego can sweat very easily, being at the Power Surge age. Luckily, no large populations of biting insects were out, so I didn't even need Peony's Bug Dope.
Taste--water, sour balls (for dry mouth--must remember to try to breathe through nose, must remember...err, what was it I was supposed to do?)

[mark12_30]

35 years old! Listening to Nirvana

Hmmm. I'm 41, but I prefer Creed. I think my favorite hobbits would too. (Well, I know Bolco and Lindo do.) (And Third Day, and The Holiness Project, and ... those rowdy hobbits. Lindo sings along quietly, but Bolco turns it up REALLY loud.)

Gorwingel, great time on those miles! Attahobbit!

Sophia the Thunder Mistress, aka Scent of Simbelmyne---- French Canadian steps? You're on. French Canada does have some scottish influence; there are similarities. Cape Breton-- OOOO!!! OOOOO!!!

Besides, at a Ceili, everybody brings something to play, share or teach-- you bring some french canadian dances. We'll have the most diverse Springle Ring hobbits have ever danced.

Honestly, I'm thinking of starting a Hobbit-Ceili thread. People could post dance diagrams or directions... dance tunes... song lyrics... links to MP3s or WAV files... What do y'all think? If it's good, we can turn it into a web page.

[ June 10, 2003: Message edited by: mark12_30 ]

[Lyra Greenleaf]

Sophia hasn't checked in for a while, too busy gloating over her PT

Gets you like that doesn't it?

(Sorry, Helen, Nuru, and Lyra- I don't do Scottish or Irish, but French Canadian folk dancing likely has some similar elements...

I know someone who used to do Irish and Breton, which she said are very similar, so if French-Canadian is similar... We may have enough for the fourhand now! Yay Sophia!


Oh, a Hobbit ceili thread sounds great but I think I would get confused. Hmm...let me check. If I said stamp-down-treble-in-front-treble-hop-back-treble-hop-back would that mean anything to anyone? And do you call a "drum" the same thing as me? Or do we have inter-continental difficulties?

[ June 10, 2003: Message edited by: Lyra Greenleaf ]

[mark12_30]

Hmmm, Lyra, I think you're right; we need to define terms first. We'll need an Irish list and a scottish list and a french canadien list... golly, hobbits are complicated! Elvish dances are easier! We could have links to diagrams. Or pictures. Or movies!

[img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

For the irish stuff you could do clips of appropriate steps from Riverdance. [img]smilies/tongue.gif[/img]

[Vardamar]

You have walked 246 miles.
You have reached the Weather Hills (246).
It is 12 miles to the next landmark.
You still have 212 miles to Rivendell.

246...getting there!
I wonder how many miles I'll have by the time ROTK comes out. Maybe Ill get to Lorien
[img]smilies/tongue.gif[/img]

[Lalaith]

On the subject of dance, is anyone acquainted with the dances from Arbeau's Orcesographie? They are French (obviously) dating from 1599, but a lot of folk people in the UK (and the US, I believe) use the collection as a great source of old dances. The Branles feel quite vigorous and hobbity....

[Neferchoirwen]

Not good for your feets, your ankles, your legs, or your back.

Well, they look 5-inch to me, but they're actually 4 (sheesh, as if). But I have adapted to those heels (but then again, I can choose to be myu own, happy, 5-foot, two self [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]) I planned to do same route again today, but rush hour means traffic and traffic means smoke...forgive me for doubting the refuge of trees: It may run late as I head home. But I'll be walking a mile anyway. *looks as the sneakers adorning her feet*

I've been walking around the mall anyway, so I guess that's give or take 6 miles? Maybe I'll add those miles.

[mark12_30]

The second contest is up at the Eowyn Challenge site. Read about it here. And think hard about what you're going to enter! The prize is "nothing but glory"... (and publicity for the Downs.)

We'll be receiving our own Barrow-Wight-On-Horseback logo when their artist can spare the time. I told Kally that the locally accepted Barrow-Wight was a green penguin, but we'll see what the artist comes up with.

If you want to enter your mileage in the database, you can do that too! Our shield color for the Barrow-Downs is Black (green, alas, was already taken.)

EDIT

On another "note", I have started a Hobbit Ceili Dance thread! Dancers, post your descriptions. If I cannot understand them, or someone else with a beginning level of dance experience states that they cannot understand them, I will PM you with a request to edit or clarify. But don't be intimidated by that-- the clarification will probably be a team effort, and I am willing to work with dancers on this to produce a quality result. We may end up developing a dancers' glossary: what's a cut, what's a bouree, what's a treble, etc.

So I'm hoping for entries at least from Lalaith, Lyra Greenleaf, Nurumaiel, and Sophia the Scent of Simbelmynë. ...Right?


[img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] [img]smilies/tongue.gif[/img] [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

[ June 11, 2003: Message edited by: mark12_30 ]

[ArwenBaggins]

Well, I'm signing up here as soon as our shield is up!

It's been storming all morning, so I've been restricted to my mom's treadmill. Alas, I've gotten in five miles so far today, putting me at 169: 3 miles from an abandoned robber's den.

EDIT:
If I could find me 'da's digital camera, I could record myself doing some of my Irish steps my grandma taught me and pull 'em up for everyone.

[ June 11, 2003: Message edited by: ArwenBaggins ]

[mark12_30]

ArwenBaggins, GREAT idea. You're on! (Here's hoping you find that camera.)

[peony_foxburr]

A Hobbit ceili! what a grand idea! This Hobbit requests dancing lessons, however, as she has trouble remembering steps until she's done them a lot [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] .

I'll see what I can bring in the way of Celtic dance music files.

Off to slosh through some more of the Marshes. Every time I start off, it seems to start pouring at the 2 mile mark, and me without my rain cloak!

[Horse-Maiden of the Shire]

Chetwood! Chetwood! I'm finally in Chetwood! YAY!

I have no dancing experience. Well, I sort of do. I can do a really horrible version of this Mexican dance I know. But you don't want to see it. No, no you don't.

[Nurumaiel]

On June 9th we packed our bags and it was off to visit the 4y/o in the hospital at San Francisco. That morning, before we left, I walked another mile in 15 minutes. While there I walk 4 more. 5 miles in one day! The next day I walked another five miles, and felt exceedingly proud of myself for walking 10 miles in just 2 days.

Helen, that's so great! Please let us know when the Barrow-Downs is up on the site so I can register. It will be great fun. I think I'll let the second House Contest pass me by, for that's not the kind of thing I can do at least fairly well.

Thank you so much, BW! I'm looking at earlier miles on the progress tracker and it's great to see that there won't be anymore 'being stuck in Bywater' days. Oh, wait, those days have long passed me now.

I will check out your Ceili thread, Helen. It sounds like a lot of fun.

Is it already three o' clock? I ahve to get out of here and start walking!