Walk To Rivendell" aka "The Eowyn Challenge"

[ArwenBaggins]

The rain was heavy this morning, but we trudged on for about two miles. (I walked around the block with an umbrella...)
Strider assures us Rivendell will be soon, just over one-hundred miles.
***
You have walked 322 miles.
You are still south of the Road (314).
It is 6 miles to the next landmark. You still have 136 miles to Rivendell.
***
-Melilot

[Arafangwen]

It's so good to see others joining our walk! Welcome Sirithheruwen!

Arafangwen has taken less time than she imagined to calculate the remainder of her milage for the weeks and has discovered that she is now at another camp in the Trollshaws. Feeling as if the hills were closing in around her, Arafangwen suddenly wished that she had a companion to walk with her and began searching for one in the ever shortening distance of sight around her.

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Estelyn turns around and, borrowing Merisuwyniel's sharp (and gorgeous! [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] ) Elven eyes, sees Arafangwen only a few miles behind her. She waves enthusiastically but, determined to get her next shield tomorrow, walks on briskly. Borrowing the Elven heroine's Osanwe abilities as well, she sends a message of welcome to Sirithheruwen. There's still plenty of time to make it to Rivendell or at least find a nice spot on the road to settle down.

[Alatáriël Lossëhelin]

We're finally on our way again. We've been beseiged by Black Riders at the Ranger camp for the past four days. Strider is not sure why, but they departed during the night and there was no sign of them in the area this morning. We decided to make a run for it, and hurriedly continued our journey.

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

• Still round the corner there may wait
  A new road or a secret gate,
  And though we pass them by today,
  Tomorrow we may come this way
  And take the hidden paths that run
  Towards the Moon or to the Sun.

[Raefindel]

I have lost track of the mileage tracker. Can anyone post a new link, please?

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Here it is, Rae - Walk to Rivendell. You can always find it on the site's main page (not forum), under Fun and Games.

[ArwenBaggins]

Aragorn seems to be waking us up earlier and keeping us up later the closer we get to Rivendell. We didn't get to sleep until almost midnight last night, and we got up at six this morning. My legs are tired of walking, yet alone in the rain!
***
We have walked 325 miles.
We are still south of the Road (314).
It is 3 miles to the next landmark.
We still have 133 miles to Rivendell.
***
-Melilot

[Raefindel]

Thank You Estelyn. And Congratulations on your motto. I voted for yours.

I've taken to walking at night. I don't know know if the hobbits cared for the weather, but I'm finding it exceedingly HOT here in Trollshaw.

[Arafangwen]

Arafangwens hopes rose as her elven eyes spotted Estelyn waving enthusiasticly towards her. Only a few miles to catch up to her, mabey I can be camping with her tonight.


Hip, hip, horray! I have fourteen shields now! And congratulations on your motto Esty! I like it the best.


I can hear my fellow elves singing....

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

The weather has been simply outrageous! (Not a good time to be between 2 rivers I assure you.) Streets are so flooded in some areas the manhole covers are popping off. I suppose I could scale these here stone trolls if it gets too bad. And plenty more rain in the forcast. On the brighter side, I think that the Nazgul will get washed away long before I see them!

[ July 22, 2003: Message edited by: Hilde Bracegirdle ]

[Horse-Maiden of the Shire]

The weather has been gorgeous, but hot. Sunny skies as far as the eye can see, but Frodo is steadily worsening. Aleia and the hobbits have just passed the Great Road and are headed south. They are encouraged by the thought of less than 200 miles to go! Woo-hoo!

[Iarwain]

23 miles after a 3.5 mile rune yesterday, and a five mile run today. At this rate, I'll never make Rivendell by december, but perhaps I'll be to Bree.

Iarwain

[Alatáriël Lossëhelin]

The skies remained overcast all day, but the rain only fell sporadically. Though we saw neither sight nor sound of Black Riders throughout the day, Strider continued to push us onward as fast as our tired legs would go.

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

All that day they plodded along, until the cold and early evening came down. The land became drier and more barren...A few melancholy birds were piping and wailing, until the round red sun sank slowly into the western shadows; then an empty silence fell. The hobbits thought of the soft light of sunset glancing through the cheerful windows of Bag End far away.

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Congratulations to Aerowen, the first Barrow-Downer to reach Rivendell!! You can see her name on the
Rivendell Page of the Éowyn Challenge site. A triple hurray for Aerowen!!

[ArwenBaggins]

The skies are still overcast, but Strider kept us going in fear of the Black Riders. Rain poured when we started our walking today, but it has slackened and stopped now.
***
We have walked 328 miles.
We are still south of the Road (328).
It is 14 miles to the next landmark.
We still have 130 miles to Rivendell.
***
At the end of the fifth day the ground began once more to rise slowly out of the wide shallow valley into which they had descended. Strider now turned their course again north-eastwards, and on the sixth day they reached the top of a long slow-climbing slope, and saw far ahead a huddle of wooded hills. Away below them they could see the Road sweeping round the feet of the hills; and to their right a grey river gleamed pale in the thin sunshine. In the distance they glimpsed yet another river in a stony valley half-veiled in mist.
***
-Melilot

[Nurumaiel]

Hurray for Esty! Congratulations on the win! To tell the truth I can't remember which mottos I voted for, excepting one... I should read them all and try to remember.

On vacation I walked 22 more mile, and I'm only 8 away from the 200 mile mark!

You have walked 192 miles.
You have passed the eastern edge of Chetwood Forest (180).
You are only 4 miles from the western edge of the Midgewater Marshes.
You still have 266 miles to Rivendell.

The next day they began to steer a steady course eastwards; and still all was quiet and peaceful. 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 Midge-water Marshes.

[LINZIELF]

[img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]If I look hard I can see Rivendell!!As this elf cannot walk on water I have slightly damp feet from paddling through the Fords of Bruinen! Only 7 more miles and then I shall rest and write my elfish journal and maybe write a song to celebrate my safe arrival. I shall seek the wise advice of Elrond regarding the safest and most direct route to Mount Doom and then depart on my way. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

I think im going to join this walk..it seems like a nice little challenge. Im setting up to go for a run today and i thought hey why not! ill take the Eowyn Challenge.

Ill update later with how far i walked

.:*Buttercup*:.

[peony_foxburr]

Peony is not certain whether her clothing is drenched with perspiration or rain. Either way, she feels as though she walked through steam baths this morning. [Hot, but less humid, in Raefindel's territory in the Northwest, is more to her taste] Peony plans to spend her time at Rivendell writing an account of her walk, for the benefit of her yet-unborn descendants. This will allow her alter ego to stay in training by "walking to Rivendell" again (at the present rate, should get there the first time in early September) with a new set of M-E characters! (and in the present season, rather than that of Tolkien's narrative)

My start from hobbiton was easier then I thought..it was strange because the halflings were almost used to seeing strange folk, when they saw me they nodded and pointed me in the correct direction and even gave me some provisons that I might need becaise of this horrible weather. It feels as if it mite rain any second but it wont and just stays humid and 90 degrees. After a mere 5 miles the heat is unbearable and decide to camp out for the night and get a fresh start tomorrow morning.

.:*Buttercup*:.

[Alatáriël Lossëhelin]

Esty: Congratulations on winning the motto (and acquiring points for the Barrow Downs)!! [img]smilies/cool.gif[/img]

Helen: Are you lurking? I saw on the mileage update page that you were now at 382 miles!! I'm glad to see you're still moovin' and groovin'...I miss your posts! [img]smilies/tongue.gif[/img]

______________________________

It rained all night last night, and our blankets were soaked through by morning. The thunderstorms continued throughout the day. We are cold and miserable...and thoroughly wet. To add misfortune to misery, we're back to eating cram again. Strider, help me! I can't get this fire started.

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

They stood for a while silent on the hill-top, near its southward edge. In that lonely place Frodo for the first time fully realized his homelessness and danger. He wished bitterly that his fortune had left him in the quiet and beloved Shire. He stared down at the hateful Road, leading back westward--to his home.

[Horse-Maiden of the Shire]

Congrats to Aerowen and Esty on the motto!

Still headed south. Frodo is still steadily worsening, and Aleia and the rest have all become more alert and jumpy. The Black Riders seem to be everywhere; it is because of this that they no longer light fires at night. Their whole journey has become exceedingly uncomfortable!

[Linnamalle]

Yesterday there was a lovely breeze. But I don't think Bilbo's stone trolls enjoyed it much! Lol! But I did. Time to get marching again... I'm slowing down!

[ArwenBaggins]

It has finally stopped raining! It's nice and cool this morn, with a nice breeze. (It's 73 degrees F.) I tried to kill a squirrel with my slingshot, (I did try this morning, on my walk. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]) but I hit Alatáriël in the back of the head. Maybe she won't figure out 'twas me...
***
We have walked 333 miles.
We are still south of the Road (328).
It is 9 miles to the next landmark.
We still have 125 miles to Rivendell.
***
-Melilot
-Fëa

[Galenfea of Mirkwood.]

Galenfea looks up at the thretening clouds and sighs. She can see the road snaking on ahead and wishes she hadn't chosen to wear these particular boots. They seemed comfortable enough at first, but within a few miles blisters had started to form. "Walking for pleasure? Why did I get in this mess?" She shrugs her backpack on and starts off again.

[Alatáriël Lossëhelin]

The cooler, dryer weather today was a welcome change. I like rain as well as the next elf, but I prefer it in moderation. Now if we could just have a change in the provisions as well as the weather...

I hit Alatáriël in the back of the head. Maybe she won't figure out 'twas me...

That was you??? Ooops! I yelled at Strider for that. Maybe I should apologize to him? Naaah! You know Arwen, if you manage to hit that squirrel, we could have something besides cram for dinner! [img]smilies/rolleyes.gif[/img]

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

"Certainly it reminds me very much of Bilbo in the last years, before he went away. He used often to say there was only one Road; that it was like a great river: its springs were at every doorstep, and every path was its tributary. 'It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out of your door,' he used to say. 'You step into the Road, and if you don't keep your feet, there is no knowing where you might be swept off to. Do you realize that this is the very path that goes through Mirkwood, and that if you let it, it might take you to the Lonely Mountain or even further and to worse places?' He used to say that on the path outside the front door at Bag End, especially after he had been out for a long walk."

Yesterday besides the fact that the weather was no good i managed to get a good 7 miles in and today the weather was *beautiful* and so far have gone about 3 miles..but i am far from done. I did see Legolas from afar dont really kno what hes doing around here and was to nervous to confront him for he looked alittle distressed, maybe gimli stole his conditioner again. Ill try later [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]


.*Buttercup*>

[peony_foxburr]

It seemed too much to hope that the Riders had already lost their trail again. Perhaps they were waiting to make some ambush in a narrow place?

The autumn days were ever shorter, and their marches ever longer. Peony had never before spent so much time in darkness. And although she half expected the dreadful Riders to re-appear at any moment, she also found herself drinking in the hush which descended upon the earth after the sun set, and anticipating starlight and moonlight more eagerly than she would have believed possible. Most curious of all, she had no trouble staying awake during the night watches--unlike her fellow hobbits, who sometimes required a gentle nudge to remain alert.

[Neferchoirwen]

They spent a miserable day in this lonely and unpleasant country. Their camping-place was damp, cold, and uncomfortable; and the biting insects would not let them sleep. There were also abominable creatures haunting the reeds and tussocks that from the sound of them were evil relatives of the cricket. There were thousands of them, and they squeaked all round, neek-breek, breek-neek, unceasingly all the night, until the hobbits were nearly frantic.

The weather's been nasty, with the typhoon and all, and the a/c at work has just been working just fine---at the cost of my poor nose---caught a sore throat yesterday, and I feel really bad.

I haven't been walking lately, save for a mile on the elliptical, and a walk all around the mall with my brother last night.

And bit of confession: the family had a buffet dinner last night---one that crosses over three restaurants...I am gaining rotundity, but I've been having buttered hot corn *erp* and salad for lunch everyday (I skip rice as much as possible for lunch--we're Asian [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img])

But my goal on the elliptical is 5 miles a day...Weathertop, here I come.

[Nurumaiel]

Hello, Neferchoirwen! It seems we're stuck together, at least for a little while. I hope you don't mind?

You have walked 200 miles.
You have passed the western edge of the Midgewater Marshes (196).
You are only 1 miles from Neekerbreeker Pond.
You still have 258 miles to Rivendell.

The ground now became damp, and in places boggy and here and there they came upon pools, and wide stretches of reeds and rushes filled with the warbling of little hidden birds. They had to pick their way carefully to keep both dry-footed and on their proper course. At first they made fan-progress, but as they went on, their passage became slower and more dangerous. The marshes were bewildering and treacherous, and there was no permanent trail even for Rangers to find through their shifting quagmires. The flies began to torment them, and the air was full of clouds of tiny midges that crept up their sleeves and breeches and into their hair.

EDIT: Forgot to add that once again I'll be going through and creating an updated list, so if you don't have your mileage in your FROM: space please put it there so you can be counted in our list. Thank you!

[ July 26, 2003: Message edited by: Nurumaiel ]

[Arafangwen]

Walking all through Tennesee, Arafangwen has found the three stone Trolls from Bilbo's adventure! This week has been an exciting one for the elf maiden, sleeping at the Hermitage after an exausting ten mile walk was probably the most memorable moment though.

I was thinking of you guys the whole time, mainly because I was completly surrounded by Peony plants, I'm sure you know where my mind trailed off to at that time....

Arafangwen peered ahead in the distance looking for Esty wondering where she should camp tonight.

Off to update my milage elsewhere....

[Nurumaiel]

AS OF JULY 26th
Our last update was July 11th. 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! I apologize if I left out any of our newer walkers, and my excuse is that sometimes when you?re a new walker but your mileage is not in your FROM: space, I overlook you, not realizing that you aren?t on the list. If you wish make certain that you will be displayed on this list with your correct mileage, please put your mileage in your FROM: space. Thank you!

MEMBER : MILEAGE
alaklondewen : 302 (28 m.)
Alatariel : 332 (39 m.)
Annunfuiniel : 144
Arvedui III : 136
Arafangwen : 391 (211 m.)
ArwenBaggins : 333 (47 m.)
Aylwen Dreamsong : ?
bain_edhel : 12
Bulelainwen : 108
Barrow Wight : 108 (28 m.)
Durelin : 2
Durlossiel : 130 (25 m.)
dragoneyes : 145
Eärendil : 150 (38 m.)
Eruwen : 70
Estelyn Telcontar : 379 (46 m.)
Faenaduial : 125 (31 m.)
Firondoiel : 44
Galenfea of Mirkwood : 18 (18m.)
Gorwingel : 414 (54 m.)
Hilde Bracegirdle : 407 (41 m.)
Horsemaiden Of The Shire : 294 (46 m.)
Ilsanie : 5.5
Joy : 14
Kalel : 32
Keowyn : 3?
Lalaith : 230 (16 m.)
Lindolirian : 170
Linnamalle : 389 (22 m.)
Linzielf : 451 (50 m.)
LotrMaster02 : ?
Luinalatwen : 57 (57 m.)
Lyra Greenleaf : 335 (106 m.)
Maiden of the Dry Waterfall : ?
mark12_30 : 305
Naz : ?
Neferchoiren : 200 (27 m.)
Niluial : 264
Nurumaiel : 200 (40 m.)
peony_foxburr : 319 (41 m.)
Princess*Buttercup*Of*Rohan : ?
Raefindel : 363 (52 m.)
Ranger Jewel : 35?
red : 52.5
Rochelle : 59
Salix : 11
Schmendrick : 70
Sindafalathiel : 11
Sophia the Thunder Mistress : 151
SwordMaiden of Rohan : ?
Tar-Palantir : ?
Tarvasa : 43
Tefalathiel : 170
The Phantom: 28
The Real Findorfin : ?
Thenamir : 110 (54 m.)
Tigerlily Gamgee : 50
Tinuviel of Denton : 180 (10 m.)
Tira O Alata : ?
Vanwalossien : 256 (36 m.)
Vardamar : 314

Today was once again beautiful and managed to get 8 miles in. I did confront Legolas and we decided he would walk with me to keep me company. I non-chalontly asked him why he looked alittle miffed and indeed, gimli had stole his conditioner..very touchy elf but no doubt he is good company. Now I must help set up camp.

You have walked 20 miles.
You have passed Green Hill Country (18).
It is 7 miles to the next landmark.
You still have 438 miles to Rivendell.

[LINZIELF]

[img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] In a last spurt of energy this elf finally staggered into Rivendell and looked hopefully round for a drink [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] Many elves were there to meet her and they looked curiously at her as she was an unusual elf being neither slender or over 6 foot tall!! [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] however she proved herself up to the challenge of getting to Rivendell and proceded to join in with the music making and general revellery surrounding her (she also made friends by sharing the large bar of chocolate she was carrying!). Now I shall rest and regain my strength before attempting the long and dangerous journey to Mount Doom. [img]smilies/eek.gif[/img]

[TheLadyAerowen]

Congratulations to Aerowen, the first Barrow-Downer to reach Rivendell!! You can see her name on the
Rivendell Page of the Éowyn Challenge site. A triple hurray for Aerowen!!

Thankee Esty and Horse-maiden :-)

Yes yes, I know I haven't posted in a near forever, but that doesn't matter. I always lurk.

Now, how did I do it, you may ask. Mostly walking or running, but some biking as well. I'm on the track and cross-country team at school and we were 'required' (more like asked, but if you wanted to get better, and stay in shape over the summer..) to run/jog/walk 6 miles for each sport (a total of 12 miles per day for myself) and in the end, it just all added up with the track meets we had, the training, the practices, etc. Plus, I was determined ;-)

Now, how that one Wizard person wants to walk 1000 miles, well, that's amazing. But now, I'm still running/walking/jogging...around a track, it seems. :-P

You have walked 535 miles.
You have reached Rivendell! (458)
You have been jogging around the Hidden Valley running track for 77 miles!

Frodo woke and found himself lying in bed. At first he thought that he had slept late, after a long unpleasant dream that still hovered on the edge of memory. Or perhaps he had been ill? But the ceiling looked strange; it was flat, and it had dark beams richly carved. He lay a little while longer looking at patches of sunlight on the wall, and listening to the sound of a waterfall.

Good luck to the rest of you! You still have 143 days left. If you're going to be like Esty and I (attempting to walk to Rivendell twice) you have to walk 916 miles. I'm 381 miles away from that, lol. It's possible, but hey.

And congrats on the Motto, Esty. Sorry I couldn't end up contributing. We're close on the House Contests, as well :-D

Once again, good luck and happy walking.

-The Lady Aerowen

[Iarwain]

26.5 miles after last thursday, I've passed green hill country. Still a ways to go...

Iarwain

[peony_foxburr]

Psst, Nurumaiel and Neferchoirwen! Check around for a stash of Peony's Bug Dope, next to the Rangers' woodpiles! Works great against the midges (but you're on your own for drowning out the Neekerbreekers).

[ July 27, 2003: Message edited by: peony_foxburr ]

[Alatáriël Lossëhelin]

The dryer, cooler weather was very short-lived and the storms have returned to the Lone-lands. Strider says we will have to head back towards the Road soon, as we are getting close to the River Hoarwell, and we can only cross by the Last Bridge. We must be very wary, as the Black Riders may be waiting to ambush us there.

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

"How far is Rivendell?" asked Merry, gazing round wearily. The world looked wild and wide from Weathertop.

"I don't know if the Road has ever been measured in miles beyond the 'Forsaken Inn', a day's journey east of Bree," answered Strider. "Some say it is so far, and some say otherwise. It is a strange road, and folk are glad to reach their journey's end, whether the time is long or short. But I know how long it would take me on my own feet, with fair weather and no ill fortune: twelve days from here to the Ford of Bruinen, where the Road crosses the Loudwater that runs out of Rivendell. We have at least a fortnight's journey before us, for I do not think we shall be able to use the Road."

"A fortnight!" said Frodo. "A lot may happen in that time."

"It may," said Strider.

[Horse-Maiden of the Shire]

Aleia and the hobbits are still headed south. They are all still extremely paranoid. Frodo is still steadily worsening. Same ol' same. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

[Nurumaiel]

Hurrah! Thanks, Peony. What a great relief that is! As for those Neeker-breekers... Ugh, almost as bad as Tom Bombadil!