Walk To Rivendell" aka "The Eowyn Challenge"

[peony_foxburr]

Well, you see, Peony was helping to clear out Bag End before the Sackville-Bagginses arrived, and Frodo was giving away all this old clothing...and, being a much better eavesdropper than Sam, she didn't get caught at it! Going to Rivendell sounded much more interesting to her than keeping house for the S-B's.

[Raefindel]

Yes Peony, I think you have the right idea. I'm sure I'm not the only female elf in breeches out there.

Tea works, but I can't wait to get to Rivendell for some coffee with elven cream.

I'll be on vacation next week so I imagine I'll be racking up the miles, though I won't be able to post them till I return. I'll miss all my Barrow-friends. Is there anyplace in Middle-earth like Yellowstone? Hmmm...

Hope you all have fun tomorrow watching Gandalf's fireworks. I'll give a full report when I return the land of boiling waters.

[Linnamalle]

Well, it's pushing 90 out here south of the Great Road. Phew, pant, mop! BUT, if I'm going to be able to see Gandalf's Fireworks (where do I find them? Weathertop??) then I'd best be on my little elvish way-- oh, wait, this is a hobbit walking party, I'd better come up with a hobbit name-- so I have time to get there. To Gandalf's fireworks, I mean.

Hilde, your company is delightful. Thanks SO much for the tea! And I think your petticoats are okay. Although today they must be awfully hot.

Hmmm, I wonder what my hobbit name should be. Maybe I'll try that name generator; anybody else have any luck with it?

[Linnamalle]

Hmm, Angelical Smallfoot from Overhill. Well, I guess it'll do. My feet are small for my height. And Overhill isn't far from Bag End, is it? And as far as being an angel... Lol! Well, I can pretend, I guess.

[peony_foxburr]

Linnamalle, could it have been Angelica (no "L" on the end)? There is an Angelica somewhere in the genealogical tables (Appendices to ROTK), and it is an herb, I believe--which would make it a logical Shire name for a hobbit lass.

Of course, I would NEVER imply that you were anything less than angelical [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]...

Concerning role playing:
It is rather challenging to imagine travel during fall weather (possibly well above sea level, too), when temperature is in the upper 80s and dewpoint in the 70s...The alter ego finds herself walking in the early evening these days, simply to avoid heatstroke!

ME-esque settings in Yellowstone Park (relying on memory):the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River; the various mountain ranges in view;the evergreen forests...almost everyplace EXCEPT the geysers, in fact. (Are there any hot springs occurring in any of the Tolkien canon? I haven't yet explored outside LOTR) And in fact, Raefindel, if you are driving, and pass through southeastern Idaho, take note of: Craters of the Moon National Monument (lava fields, no live volcanoes though) and the broad grassy plains in that part of the state--I knew I'd been someplace that reminded me of Rohan! (Lived there 76-79)

[Luinalatawen]

I just decided I'd give WtR a try. I could've started a couple months ago when I first found out about it, but oh well... I don't know how far I'll get. I walked five miles today on our treadmill. It took an hour and a half. The way I'm going about this is really productive though- instead of just sitting in my room and reading, I'm going to walk on the treadmill and read! I'll be getting two things done at once and I won't get bored! I'm just worried that I'll grab my book and sit down instead of hoppin on the treadmill... but maybe if I keep the book on the treadmill... it might work! I really hope I can stick to it because I have problems following fitness programs and such.

[Horse-Maiden of the Shire]

Aleia and the hobbits were so happy to be out of the Marshes that they practically skipped and threw flower petals as they passed the stream coming down from the Weather Hills. It gave them a chance to refill their water bottles, at least. They were approximately 13 miles from the Weather Hills, but that didn't slow their spirits any.

And of course Aleia is in breeches (even though she is a hobbit!). It is terribly impractical to go hiking in a dress, now! [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

[Gorwingel]

Well Luinalatawen you are much more lucky than me. For me to run on a treadmill I have to get up, get in my running uniform and either walk or drive to the athletic club. Good luck though, 5 miles is a really great start.

Almost to 400 miles, hopefully I will be to Rivendell soon.

Oh and Rae, have a great time in Yellowstone. That place is so wonderful. Make sure to see all the Waterfalls that you can, they are the most beautiful, and watch out for Buffalo (I don't think that is something that the fellowship ever had to worry about running into [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] )

[Linnamalle]

Raefindel, enjoy those Yellowstone sights. Oh, the activity of our hot little planet! It's inspiring but also frightening sometimes. Maybe you can find a Crack of Doom to throw your nastiest problem into... we all have one, don't we? Just don't tell the Park Rangers what you are doing! Lol!

Luinalatawen, I think it's wonderful that you are starting off on your journey. So what if you're a little late! Who cares! Good for you!

Yesterday it got very dark, here south of the Old Road East, and even though it was midafternoon the sky turned dark blue. It was so dark I thought nighttime was coming early, and then I thought that we had just gotten to a really dark part of the woods...

But then: ker-slosho! Oh, did we get rained on! And the thunder-- boom darar boom boom. LOL! Treebeard would have been impressed! Oh, I forgot, we haven't met Treebeard yet. Oopsie! Well then I guess it was Goldberry's Next Washing day. Lol!

Oh, I almost forgot. Peony Foxburr, thanks for explaining my Angelica name. So its an herb, hmmm? Interesting! So are there any female hobbits named Herb? Lol! And where are the female hobbits named Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme? Lol! Well, it's a relief I don't have to live up to being an angel. I'd never make it! Lol! Thanks, Peony! What a relief!

[ July 06, 2003: Message edited by: Linnamalle ]

[ArwenBaggins]

We're deep in the Wild south of the Great Road,(274 miles) and sweat is a constant waterfall on our heads. And Peony, Rae, you aren't the only girls in breeches. I find petticoats very hot in this 90 degree weather.
***
Linnamalle, my Hobbit name is Melilot Tussock from Oatbarton. Melilot sounds more boy-ish, but oh well.
Can anyone pronounce Melilot?

Thanks,
Fëa
Melilot Tussock

[ July 06, 2003: Message edited by: ArwenBaggins ]

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Now, now in defense of petticoats, they are rather practical really, surprisingly cooler than breeches. Nice thing is that if they are long enough you just take the back hem bring it forward and tuck it into the front of your waistband and you have pants, shorts even if you’d like, perfect for marshes and still socially acceptable for a middle aged hobbit (though perhaps a bit frightening to look at). [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

Petticoats are also preferable when sleeping. You can pull your feet up and cover them with your skirts to keep bugs off and feet warm!

[ July 07, 2003: Message edited by: Hilde Bracegirdle ]

[peony_foxburr]

Hilde, you do have a point about the cold feet. Peony brought an extra cloak along to cover hers, but misses her pet cat who used to plop herself down on her feet at night. She hopes there are some cats living at Rivendell [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img].

[Alatáriël Lossëhelin]

I'm sure I'm not the only female elf in breeches out there.

Raefindel: Absolutely! Those long gowns with trains are way too hard to hike in...not to mention being too darn hot!!

______________________________


We keep seeing fresh hobbit tracks, usually just hours old, but can't seem to catch Peony. We haven't seen or heard any sign of the Black Riders since we left Weathertop, but Strider seems to think they're not very far away. Hopefully, we'll be able to travel faster tomorrow, as Strider's poltice has almost completely healed my blister.

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

..Sam drew his sword and stood over Frodo; but Strider knelt down swiftly at his side. "I am not a Black Rider, Sam," he said gently, "nor in league with them." ..Then he got up and walked away, and called Sam to him. "I think I understand things better now," he said in a low voice. "There seem only to have been five of the enemy. Why they were not all here, I don't know; but I don't think they expected to be resisted. They have drawn off for the time being. But not far, I fear. They will come again another night, if we cannot escape. They are only waiting, because they think that their purpose is almost accomplished, and that the Ring cannot fly much further. I fear, Sam, that they believe your master has a deadly wound that will subdue him to their will. We shall see!"

Sam choked with tears. "Don't despair!" said Strider. "You must trust me now. Your Frodo is made of sterner stuff than I had guessed, though Gandalf hinted that it might prove so. He is not slain, and I think he will resist the evil power of the wound longer than his enemies expect. I will do all I can to help and heal him. Guard him well, while I am away!" He hurried off and disappeared again into the darkness.

[ July 07, 2003: Message edited by: Alatáriël ]

[ArwenBaggins]

Alas, we have finally caught up with Peony! We saw her camped this morning, and we all met for our breakfast.
***
We have walked 278 miles.
We are deep in the wild south of the Great Road (272).
It is 8 miles to the next landmark.
We still have 180 miles to Rivendell.
***
The land before them sloped away southwards, but it was wild and pathless; bushes and stunted trees grew in dense patches with wide barren spaces in between. The grass was scanty, coarse, and grey; and the leaves in the thickets were faded and falling. It was a cheerless land, and their journey was slow and gloomy.
***
-Fëa
Melilot

[Linnamalle]

Oooh! I have eleventy-one miles to go!

[Alatáriël Lossëhelin]

We finally caught up to Peony today. We stopped early and set up camp so that Strider could go hunting. While he was gone, we found some tubers growing wild in the thickets that we cut up and cooked with the rabbits he brought back. Then we finished off our meal with wild berries. Strider thinks our food supplies may run short. Although we're less than 200 miles from Rivendell, it may take us several weeks to arrive since we must go across country. We cannot travel by road and hope to elude the Black Riders.

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

As soon as the daylight was full, they had some hurried food and packed. It was impossible for Frodo to walk, so they divided the greater part of their baggage among the four of them, and put Frodo on the pony.

..They started off in a southerly direction. This would mean crossing the Road, but it was the quickest way to more wooded country. And they needed fuel; for Strider said that Frodo must be kept warm, especially at night, while the fire would be some protection for them all. It was also his plan to shorten their journey by cutting across another great loop of the Road: east beyond Weathertop it changed its course and took a wide bend northwards.

[ArwenBaggins]

We have slowed just a bit because I have jammed my finger on a tree (actually, I did it in my garage door. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]). Peony helped wrap it, but it still pains me.
***
We have walked 281 miles.
We are deep in the wild south of the Great Road (272).
It is 5 miles to the next landmark.
We still have 177 miles to Rivendell.
***
The land before them sloped away southwards, but it was wild and pathless; bushes and stunted trees grew in dense patches with wide barren spaces in between. The grass was scanty, coarse, and grey; and the leaves in the thickets were faded and falling. It was a cheerless land, and their journey was slow and gloomy.
***
Thanks,
Fëa
Melilot

[Faenaduial]

Well the long weekend here was spent in the company of several hobbits and one other elf who accompanied me on several outings through field and forest.

We spent the night of the 5th enjoying beautiful fireworks, which while not up to Gandalf's standards, were lovely none the less.

We are going out running again tonight. I quite like the forest after dark.

[Alatáriël Lossëhelin]

:trudgetrudgetrudgetrudgetrudgetrudgetrudgetrudget rudgetrudgetrudgetrudgetrudgetrudge:
This pretty much epitomizes our journey today. No sign of Black Riders (or anything else). Leftover coney stew and berries for dinner. If Strider isn't able to shoot something tomorrow, it's going to be cram again.

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

They made their way slowly and cautiously round the south-western slopes of the hill, and came in a little while to the edge of the Road. There was no sign of the Riders...The land before them sloped away southwards, but it was wild and pathless...It was a cheerless land, and their journey was slow and gloomy. They spoke little as they trudged along. Frodo's heart was grieved as he watched them walking beside him with their heads down, and their backs bowed under their burdens. Even Strider seemed tired and heavy-hearted.

[Estelyn Telcontar]

I was also away over the weekend and did some lovely barefoot walking. That sounds Hobbity, but the surroundings were pretty Elvish - sand, saltwater and sea gulls, oh my! ...and a few swans thrown in for good measure. I do love walking barefoot at the beach! (It was at the Baltic Sea, just in case anyone is interested.)

[LINZIELF]

[img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] This elf is slowly but surely making her way to Rivendell... but it seems to get further away. The weather has not been great for trudging, far too hot but it does make for pleasant Hobbit bare-foot walking along the beach. Will hopefully be finding some Rivendell-ish inspired country to walk in to finish off my trip - rivers and hills, and will find myself in the most esteemed company of elves to feast, drink and rest before contemplating the dangerous journey to Mount Doom.

[peony_foxburr]

Peony was quite glad to be overtaken by Arwen Baggins and Alatariel, not least because it made a change of company. (Her alter ego was feeling the heat lately, and had worked some extra nights, all of which was slowing Peony's progress considerably)

She knew that every mile they drew closer to Rivendell made a difference to Frodo, so she resolved to start waking the alter ego up earlier on her days off!

[Linnamalle]

Hilde, here we are at the Last Bridge! See any green stones in the mud?

[Alatáriël Lossëhelin]

the surroundings were pretty Elvish - sand, saltwater and sea gulls, oh my! ...and a few swans thrown in for good measure. I do love walking barefoot at the beach! (It was at the Baltic Sea, just in case anyone is interested.)

Esty: It's dangerous for elves to be exposed to the ocean...especially wood elves!
______________________________

:sloshtrudgesloshtrudgesloshtrudgesloshtrudgeslosh trudgesloshtrudgesloshtrudgesloshtrudge:
Another weary day's travel. The clouds gathered early in the morning, and the rain continued for most of the day. There was so much mud, I thought we were back in the Midgewater Marshes. Although it remained overcast, the downpour ceased late in the afternoon. Strider was finally able to get a fire going so that we could dry our cloaks and clothes. Unfortunately, we had nothing to cook on it...cram again! Hey Peony! How about a song to lift our spirits?

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

• Ho! Ho! Ho! To the bottle I go
  To heal my heart and drown my woe.
  Rain may fall and wind may blow,
  And many miles be still to go,
  But under a tall tree I will lie,
  And let the clouds go sailing by.

[ArwenBaggins]

It has rain all day today, not being good walking weather. Alas, I'm stuck at 289. Come on Peony, sing us a song to lift our cram-filled spirits!

-Melilot
-Fëa

[ArwenBaggins]

I know I'm double posting, but I just gotta say this. I'll be on vacation from tomorrow (7-12) 'til next Saturday (7-19).

I'll still be walking, so I'll post my milage when I get back!

[Linnamalle]

The Trollshaws. Brrr! Bones here and there, and blackened charred places, and ... "Look, Mr. Frodo! It's Mr. Bilbo's trolls! "

Troll sat alone on a seat of stone,
and munched and mumbled a bare old bone...

[Nurumaiel]

You have walked 160 miles.
You have passed Bree (152).
You are only 4 miles from Chetwood Forest.
You still have 298 miles to Rivendell.

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.

Wow, four miles today! It was a beautiful three-mile trail through the woods, all uphill in the blazing sun, but Strider pushed us on relentlessly. After that we did one more mile, but the sun, lack of water and rest, and those monstrous uphills had taken a lot out of us, and it took one hour to walk a mile.

A soup of a kind was made for lunch. We're still unsure about dinner. Strider wants us to walk two more miles before night falls. I don't think that will work, though.
__________________________________________________ ___________________________________

For all of you who haven't voted at the second house contest here, please do so, because July 13th voting ends!

And one more thing... I will be updating the mileage list once again, and if your mile record is not in your FROM: space, you will sadly be overlooked, so please do that to make the job easier.

Thank you!

[Alatáriël Lossëhelin]

A very dreary, very wet day's journey is finally done. Strider managed to find a campsite under a small cluster of trees that was only slightly damp. All the firewood we could find was very wet, so the fire is more smoke than flame. The birds and other animals in this land must be trying to stay dry, because we saw no other living thing all day. Nothing broke the silence except the rumble of thunder, the patter of rain, and the slosh and squish of our feet in the puddles and the mud.

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

• All that is gold does not glitter,
  Not all those who wander are lost;
  The old that is strong does not wither,
  Deep roots are not reached by the frost.
  From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
  A light from the shadows shall spring;
  Renewed shall be blade that was broken,
  The crownless again shall be king.

[Horse-Maiden of the Shire]

Alas! Aleia and the hobbits have been lazy, for they did no miles today. It was raining miserably, so they sat huddled under some tall bushes in a circle. Amid the thunder and lightning they tried to lighten their spirits but ended up falling asleep for most of the day. Aleia made a promise to herself that they WOULD walk more tomorrow!

[Thenamir]

Thenamir was footsore and blistered. He'd left Stock the night before, but managed to cover another six miles before having to stop for awhile. ANother 6 miles would get him to the Buckleberry Ferry and finally across the Brandywine.

Only 20 miles ahead of him now was the Barrow Wight, and while he was closing the gap, it was not fast enough for Thenamir. He must reach Rivendell before the Wight...

[Alatáriël Lossëhelin]

We spent a miserable, cold, damp night last night as the downpour continued. Strider and the hobbits are looking pretty bedraggled today. Even I (elf though I am) have not been able to maintain my normal freshly-coiffed appearance.

But...on the bright side: If this rain keeps up, fish will soon be swimming between our feet and we might have something besides cram to eat!

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

• ..As Beren looked into her eyes
  Within the shadows of her hair,
  The trembling starlight of the skies
  He saw there mirrored shimmering.
  Tinúviel the elven-fair,
  Immortal maiden elven-wise,
  About him cast her shadowy hair
  And arms like silver glimmering.
  
  Long was the way that fate them bore,
  O'er stony mountains cold and grey,
  Through halls of iron and darkling door,
  And woods of nightshade morrowless.
  The Sundering Seas between them lay,
  And yet at last they met once more,
  And long ago they passed away
  In the forest singing sorrowless.

[ArwenBaggins]

I found a computer today, so I'm posting hurriedly.
***
At 301 miles from Rivendell, this poor hobbit feels she will never make it! Strider awoke me this morning yelling "Melilot! You take Alatáriël and try to find some birds," Well, we walked, but I got lost and wandered for five miles!
***
We have walked 302 miles.
We are STILL south of the Road (300).
It is 12 miles to the next landmark.
We still have 156 miles to Rivendell.
***
Not once did they feel the sense of present evil that had assailed them before the attack in the dell.

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Linnamalle! So sorry I didn’t see your earlier post, looks like we are in the Trollshaws together. Good to have some company in this eerie place. Glad the troll’s house is still unoccupied!

[the phantom]

I just realized I hadn't checked in for quite a while.

I'm currently wondering south of the great road at exactly mile #300. I'm definitely going to reach Rivendell next week (I have more time to run now that my summer class has ended).

[Nurumaiel]

Until Mithadan can find the time to paste the list into Helen's post, I'm putting it here for all to view.

AS OF JULY 11th
Our last update was June 29th. Next to a walker’s name you will see something looking like this: (## m.) That shows how many miles they have walked since our last update. Keep up the good work!

MEMBER : MILEAGE
alaklondewen : 274 (47 m.)
Alatariel : 293 (41 m.)
Annunfuiniel : 144
Arvedui III : 136
Arafangwen : 180 (27 m.)
ArwenBaggins : 286 (33 m.)
Aylwen Dreamsong : ?
bain_edhel : 12
Bulelainwen : 108
Barrow Wight : 80 (30 m.)
Durelin : 2
Durlossiel : 105
dragoneyes : 145
Eärendil : 112 (7 m.)
Eruwen : 70
Estelyn Telcontar : 333 (53 m.)
Faenaduial : 94 (12 m.)
Firondoiel : 44
Gorwingel : 360 (50 m.)
Hilde Bracegirdle : 366 (41 m.)
Horsemaiden Of The Shire : 248 (40 m.)
Ilsanie : 5.5
Joy : 14
Kalel : 32
Keowyn : 3?
Lalaith : 214 (23 m.)
Lindolirian : 170
Linnamalle : 367 (367 m.)
Linzielf : 401 (111 m.)
LotrMaster02 : ?
Lyra Greenleaf : 229 (38 m.)
Maiden of the Dry Waterfall : ?
mark12_30 : 305
Naz : ?
Neferchoiren : 173 (30 m.)
Niluial : 264
Nurumaiel : 160 (25 m.)
peony_foxburr : 278 (25 m.)
Raefindel : 311 (18 m.)
Ranger Jewel : 35?
red : 52.5
Rochelle : 59
Salix : 11
Schmendrick : 70
Sindafalathiel : 11
Sophia the Thunder Mistress : 151 (14 m.)
SwordMaiden of Rohan : ?
Tar-Palantir : ?
Tarvasa : 43
Tefalathiel : 170
The Phantom: 28
The Real Findorfin : ?
Thenamir : 56 (56 m.)
Tigerlily Gamgee : 50 (20 m.)
Tinuviel of Denton : 170 (20 m.)
Tira O Alata : ?
Vanwalossien : 220 (33 m.)
Vardamar : 314

[Alatáriël Lossëhelin]

The clouds finally cleared out today. The sun shone, and it very quickly became hot & extremely humid. Arwen, Peony & I helped Strider hunt for food today. It was beginning to look like it would be cram for dinner again, when we finally flushed a covey of small, fat birds. Peony & Arwen were able to bring down 3 of them with stones. We made camp soon after, and Strider roasted the birds for our dinner. Very tasty!

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

• O Elbereth! Gilthoniel!
  We still remember, we who dwell
  In this far land beneath the trees,
  Thy starlight on the Western Seas.

[peony_foxburr]

Peony waved a regretful farewell to her friends Arwen and Alatariel, after enjoying their feast of roast birds cooked by Strider. She was remaining behind after coming down with a mysterious fever (which included the delusion of humid summer weather). Strider had brewed her an herbal remedy, and told her to rest for a day and drink plenty of water. But, she resolved, she would catch up to them again! She estimated they were now twelve to fifteen miles ahead of her. On the bright side, if they spotted signs of trouble ahead, they would surely leave some kind of warning for the travelers behind them!

[Nurumaiel]

You have walked 164 miles.
You have reached Chetwood Forest (164).
It is 8 miles to the next landmark.
You still have 294 miles to Rivendell.

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.
__________________________________________________ ______________________________________

We walked three miles with no problem. The soreness is finally leaving my legs, and no doubt it's the same way with Robin. We have reached Chetwood Forest, and Strider says that today he would like us to walk 4 - 8 miles, but I doubt we could do more than 5. We'll do our best, though, and try to close in on the 200th mile soon. We're making our way slowly and steadily, but recently we've been able to walk over 2 miles every day, which is a wonderful, amazing change. More free time means more walking, as my Gaffer used to say. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

[Raefindel]

Hello Everyone! I'm back and have added 35 miles to my count while on vacation.

Linnamalle, I certainly thought of things I'd like to have thrown in those cracks!

Growingel, I knew I'd see buffalo, but I had no idea they would be sitting on my doorstep one morning! [img]smilies/eek.gif[/img]

Hilde, I saw several skirted hikers and walkers while in the park.

My favorite site was theGrnad Prismatic Spring, although I can't think of a suitable middle-earth comparison.

Arwen Baggins, Have a nice vacation and tell us all about your "There and Back Again" when you get home.