Walk To Rivendell" aka "The Eowyn Challenge"

[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.

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

"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."

[Neferchoirwen]

*yay*
I reached 59.4 km! Which makes 37 miles! And i was able to do 10km in half an hour! go me!

Tinuviel: there's a tool on the eowyn challenge site that has a tool that converts km to miles. 1km is equivalent to .68something.

Thanks for the welcome Mark...as well as for the pm [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] wish i could walk with my dog...he's the moody sort.

[ June 03, 2003: Message edited by: Neferchoirwen ]

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Helen, I actually think a 2 handed broadsword procured on the Barrow Downs might be a welcome deterrent, but than I’d have to deal with men in uniform wouldn’t I? (Whether that uniform was a nice white coat or badge and firearm wouldn’t matter much! It would delay.) Such a picture! A hobbit with a broadsword trailing behind it, dragging on the ground.

As far as dogs go…mine is a rather longhaired hand-me-down mixed breed that is molting at the moment. This is not to say she is chicken, though she may very well be, but that she is soon to be shaved. Somehow I don’t think I should take her out after she is shaved and thus damage her dignity, as she closely resembles a Dr. Suess animal after the process! I should try first to see her reaction, she might enjoy the breeze, though she might draw attention rather than discourage it.

[ June 03, 2003: Message edited by: Hilde Bracegirdle ]

[peony_foxburr]

Encounters on the Road: one day a teenager asked Peony if she had a cigarette (she refrained from giving him a lecture on the evils of smoking--too time consuming) and if she had a gun(!) under her rain cloak. When she showed him my water bottle, he giggled and said he was only joking. Another day, a group of girls stopped her and asked if she would stand in front of the Westford firestation and sing the national anthem with them, as finding a "stranger" was an item on their scavenger hunt list! Peony is trying to get her 8th cousin once removed, Pearl Millbanks from Waymeet, to join the Walk. Pearl has one leg a bit shorter than the other and is subject to muscle strain--though she knows regular exercise would be helpful! She and Peony used to do a 20 mile charity walk every May, which got them both into the exercise mode, but they got out of the habit when Peony's work weekend schedule started interfering. Age, weight gain, and laziness had NOTHING to do with it...

[Lyra Greenleaf]

So it's not only me then... [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

Today I made a HUUUUGE sacrifice for my walk. Frodo only went on a dangerous quest to the very fires of Mount Doom. I missed 15 minutes of Neighbours. (Heehee- that's going to mean nothing to most of you!) Oh and someone listened to my complaints and provided a handy cloudburst when I was a mile from home. Oh, and a Black Rider wiv orfentic Eastend accent. Fanks a bunch.

[mark12_30]

Perhaps I could gather up a collection of lyrics to good walking songs, whether LotR or not, and put them on a webpage? LotR songs, definitely, though that would be quite unnecessary, seeing as we all probably own the books; a few Irish songs, mostly walking songs; and compose a few of my own, and other walkers could as well, if they'd be willing. For newly created songs we could just apply whatever tune we liked, unless someone were thorough enough to give a tune, as well. And not just LotR, Irish, and original songs. Does anyone have any favorite walking songs, or even non-walking songs that they enjoy singing while walking?

Nurumaiel asked this a while back. Responses?

Nuru, are you still up for this? Where should we send the songs, or should we just post them here?

[ArwenBaggins]

Ahh! Rain!

Walking in lousey weather does have it's advantages.

What are they? I was walking around the school after our baseball game, and swoosh! I'm drowning in rain.

My mileage is now 137 though! I'm goin' over to see the Barrow-Wight for dinner! [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

[ June 03, 2003: Message edited by: ArwenBaggins ]

[Horse-Maiden of the Shire]

Ai! Guilt, guilt, guilt! I have been slacking off on my miles! eek! i vowed to do at least 2 per day but im not even doing that! *sob sob* Slacker!

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Walking in lousey weather does have it's advantages

It keeps down the the numbers of 2-legged pests. And gives a hobbit rainwater soft feet!

[peony_foxburr]

As they drew nearer to the Midgewater Marshes, Peony checked her backpack to be sure she still had her jar of Bug Dope handy.

[Faenaduial]

I know the hobbits had to slog through the rain on their way to Bree but it seems all we have had here in New Jersey lately is rain. Another rainy night and rain forecast for tomorrow. Arrgh!!

Guess I'll have to use the treadmill when I get off the computer.

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Hi, all you fellow walkers! I'm back home, so I'll be on the Downs more often to report my progress. I have now reached the edge of the Midgewater Marshes without even noticing any discomfort! [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

[Arafangwen]

Whistling to herself, Arafangwen once more caught sight of Sophia not far ahead of her as she crested the hilltop. Not far ahead of Sophia, she noticed another person, Tinuviel of Denton as far as she could make out. "Now wouldn't it be fun to walk with them!" she thought to herself as she unconciously sped up a little after passing the 103 mile marker.

[The Barrow-Wight]

In hobbbit disguise, I have finally sauntered out of Bag End and made it only as far as the other side of Bywater (2.09 miles). Though I have no aspirations to be like Eowyn, I thought I would join in on the traveling fun.

** NOTE* This is a continuation of the original Walk To Rivendell topic. That one had grown quite large and was a bear to load sometimes.

[The Barrow-Wight]

This thread has gotten very long, so I have continued it HERE.

[mark12_30]

Golly, BW, delighted you could join us-- good thing you're in hobbit guise. But I'll have an eye on you when you get to the Downs...

Since the other thread is now closed, I'll move the stats here. You've got a slot, BW! If you'd care to put your mileage in your profile, under FROM, I'll update it when I do the rest-- or, being a mod, you could just edit this post yourself. Power, power!

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


Thanks to Nurumaiel, who ran through the whole previous thread and updated everybody's milage!!! Nuru, you da BEST!...

Thanks again to Nurumaiel, [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] here is the updated milage list as of June 12.

Nuru thank you thank you thank you

Current mileage as of July 15, 2003:

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


[ June 12, 2003: Message edited by: mark12_30 ]

[ July 17, 2003: Message edited by: Mithadan ]

[Lyra Greenleaf]

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

Ah. How innocent you are Sophia. Your black riders must be far less hardy than the ones around here. I walk in a coat. Even when it's hot. We'll have to see if I can stand it in the summer, or just give up and walk around the garden maybe. I can't imagine Frodo had this problem. Maybe little Hobbit lasses fainting at his feet? I can't imagine they were so rude. I got a proposal a while ago, actually. Which was strange...

[Tigerlily Gamgee]

Oh dear... I fear I shall never make it there, unless I get some sort of nice contraption with wheels and pedals...

Been kinda lazy/busy, so the walking has been at a minimum... and, I haven't been keeping track [img]smilies/frown.gif[/img]

BW - glad you joined us... pretty soon you'll probably be passing me up!

[peony_foxburr]

Lyra, your Black Riders are...something else again. What about a Walkman, with headphones, and the music turned up really loud, so you don't hear them?? (Though perhaps it would be SAFER to keep your hearing) Used to happen to me in the days I was walking around in cities--construction workers were the worst. We were always told to pay no attention to them, which is like blaming the victim, in my opinion. You have my sympathy.*Peony wishes she could afflict them all with boils*
Music reviews: The Tolkien Ensemble, "A Night in Rivendell." I was disappointed, frankly. The compositions are way too artsy-fartsy to be good walking music, or even sound like the kind of music I imagine being enjoyed in Middle Earth.

HOWEVER-came upon a stash of CDs, left over from when my daughter worked for the Natural Wonders store (now out of business), and included a huge amount of Celtic/New Age and Traditional music!Gems gleaned so far: John Whelan, "Come to Dance," and Joannie Madden, "Song of the Irish Whistle." Also unearthed from my own collection: The Chieftains' "Long Black Veil," from a few years back. With a couple of exceptions, most of the tracks are quite marvelous.

Will be watching development of the upcoming LOTR music--I signed up for e-mail updates. That could be really dreadful, or a sublime experience, and perhaps some good "singable by ordinary mortals" type vocal music will come out of it as well.
Welcome to the Walk, BW! You won't cast a spell of silence on chatterbox Peony, will you? [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

[mark12_30]

Music reviews: The Tolkien Ensemble, "A Night in Rivendell." I was disappointed, frankly.

DRAT!! I just ordered all three of their CDs today at Lunchtime!! Well, I hope my taste varies a LITTLE from yours, Peony... by the way, has anybody's rascally relative (kid brother, etc) "ripped" the songs off of the Rob Inglis CDs? (I ONLY want the songs. And I bought the BBC version, for JUST the songs, and was disappointed with that too...)

Why, oh Why why why didn't Tolkien write down his own tunes??? Whywhywhywhy?

Spaeking of rascally kid brothers-- how about The Starlit Jewel? ... purely academic curiosity of course...
not.

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Yippee! I've made it to Weather Top!!! Hilde says doing a jig a top the crest.
I stumbled on it in the mist this morning. Well at least the black riders horses couldn't see me!

Look to the east tonight folks, if you see a light out there, that'll be my camp fire. Going to keep it stoked. Those Ring Wraiths aren't ta gonna catch this hobbit! Not that I'm carrying anything that would change the course of history...At least a I don't think I am.

[ June 04, 2003: Message edited by: Hilde Bracegirdle ]

[Raefindel]

Keep the fire burning, I;ll join ya soon, Hilde!

Peony, John Whelan is one of the musicians who traveled with "Riverdance". If you like his music you can get more of him in that CD or actually see him in the videos. Greycloak took me to see Riverdance once...It made me wish I played an instrument.

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

I'll keep the fire burning Raefindel!

Please accept my apologies. In my enthusiasm I was forgetting the fleet footed ones who would have to look west tonight to see see the happy fire of my unbridled joy!

[Gorwingel]

You mean I am the person who has traveled the farthest! Cool! Good luck to everyone else, and this reminds me I really need to go and run, now!

[Alatáriël Lossëhelin]

The Chieftains' "Long Black Veil," from a few years back. With a couple of exceptions, most of the tracks are quite marvelous.

Peony: I really like that cd. I'm not a Stones fan, but their version of the title cut is not too bad. "Mo Ghile Mear" with Sting & "The Foggy Dew" with Sinéad O'Connor are my favorites.

has anybody's rascally relative (kid brother, etc) "ripped" the songs off of the Rob Inglis CDs? (I ONLY want the songs.

Helen: I have those cd's, but I don't know if I'm computer-literate enough to copy just the songs. I could probably copy to a cd, but I have no idea how to download to send to you. Too bad my son's in Germany...I'm sure he'd know how. (If anyone knows how, send me a very detailed PM and I'll make the attempt.)

Though I have no aspirations to be like Eowyn, I thought I would join in on the traveling fun.

Barrow Wight: Welcome! Good to see you again. Did Goldberry stop by on her way home?

____________________

After wasting way too much time wandering in circles, I finally stumbled onto the Ranger path through the Chetwood. No sign of the Black Riders so far. I'm still about 28 miles from the Marshes, so I'm hoping Strider will catch up to me before I get there.

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

"This is where we leave the open and take to cover," said Strider.

"Not a 'short cut', I hope," said Pippin. "Our last short cut through woods nearly ended in disaster."

"Ah, but you had not got me with you then," laughed Strider. "My cuts, short or long, don't go wrong." He took a look up and down the Road. No one was in sight; and he led the way quickly down towards the wooded valley.

[ June 04, 2003: Message edited by: Alatáriël ]

[mark12_30]

Hilde, congratulations! Such a major milestone! Maybe Rae and I will catch you before you break camp...

And Gorwingel, yes, you and Linzielf are in-the-lead-out-of-sight!

It is raining here, but tomorrow should be dry enough for some more distance. It's thundering now. Say, Hilde, do you see Gandalf anywhere nearby?

[Tinuviel of Denton]

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

In 100+ weather!? I don't think so. I suppose I'll have to live with the black riders. Grrr.

Lyra: You got a proposal!? Tell me I misunderstood that.

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

[Lalaith]

Well, I've spent the last ten days clocking up my mileage, walking with a donkey in Spain, would you believe. I thought of him, in my mind, as Bill....it was very hot, I would have much preferred the leafy shades of Chetwood.
Also I lost my pedometer so I've had to do some guessing, I hope I haven't been too generous with myself. I shall have to invest in a new one.

[mark12_30]

Hilde, I'll be at Weathertop in an hour. You still there? I hope?? Rae, where are you?

Glad it's noontime, that hill looks like it could be a creepy place at night!

[ June 05, 2003: Message edited by: mark12_30 ]

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Wow, I'm a member of the over 200 mile group - not too bad!

One thing I try to do when walking is to make conscious use of all five senses. Here are my current favorite sensory perceptions:

sight - Definitely the red poppies that are growing along the edge of fields and by the side of roads

sound - Birds, different ones at various times of the day

smell - Wild roses, absolutely wonderful

touch - The soft, new-grown tips of evergreens

taste - Nothing wild and edible at the moment...

Current drawback - a touch of hayfever... Didn't allergies exist in Middle-earth? We never read of anyone sneezing, do we?

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Helen-
Just said goodbye Weather Top this morning, but left you a nice stack of dry wood for your own commemoration of the Gandalf's struggle on the hill!

We will meet soon. I'm feeling coldish and will have to travel more slowly. I've been stuck down by pollen, and must hasten to Rivendell for elvish medicine!

Estelyn-
Aren't the birds wonderful! I love to walk in the very early morning and hear them chattering!

[ June 05, 2003: Message edited by: Hilde Bracegirdle ]

[Durelin]

Hmmmmm...can I still join? I need the excersize... Oh, I'm playing softball tonight...I wonder how far it is from one base to another...

This will be fun...and probably quite interesting...

[mark12_30]

Welcome, Durelin! Glad you could join us!

Hilde, thanks so much for the firewood. It'll drive out some of this damp! I hope I catch you soon. Company sounds like a very nice idea.

Sam sneezed, I think, more than once. And Bilbo definitely sneezed. I wonder what a dwarf sneeze sounds like?

Esty, the five senses idea is great-- very Frodo-like. I can see him thinking about that! Here's m'list:

Touch: getting my feet wet when the water is deeper than my sandals are high... like today! I should have just taken my socks off and slogged through knee-deep. Next time I think I will.
Smell: The forest floor; pine needles carpeting the path; oak leaves, likewise; the smell of ponds, and little streams. Wild bloomers now: Honeysuckle, Russian Olive.
Taste: Oh, but Esty, you can taste the air when you inhale through your mouth-- try it! Near fresh water, the air tastes fresher, moister, and its easier to breathe, too. Up high, it's dryer and has a different taste. (I generally don't taste the air in swamps.)
Sound: The rushing or trickling streams; the wind in the trees or squirrels or birds making the branches rustle; the squeak of mice and other critters; birdsong.
Sight: The furthest treetops I can see; shapely or majestic trees I pass (especially pines and beeches; I think Tolkien would agree); stone walls; deer trails; and I stop and enjoy the water whenever I find it.

This morning, we startled a german shepherd, who barked, in turn startling a fine doe, who ran within forty feet of us. (Somehow, she was much prettier and lovelier than the herd of deer Chonea chased out of my garden this morning! Rotten scavengers!)

[ June 05, 2003: Message edited by: mark12_30 ]

[Nurumaiel]

First of all I'd like to say how glad I am there's a new thread! Only one page to deal with (so far). Come to think of it, I need to save the most memorable posts from thread #1 in a Word document so I can remember it all.

Only 3 miles more to the Old Forest! Yesterday I took the 2-mile trail by the lake again while rehearsing my history in the art of Irish Dance. It might be an interesting story to some people some day, so I mean to keep it. Through different Irish dances, I've found that some of them could be considered 'hobbit.' I doubt if hardshoe could be considered hobbit, however, since they don't wear shoes.

I'm glad to know I'm nearly 100 miles from home. Well, of course I'd like to be back at Hobbiton, but it means I'm getting there. I'm nearly jumping up and down with excitement to think that in just five days I'll be back with my beloved pony and we can start walking together. I wonder what will happen when I show up at the arena and start measuring it with a tape measure, however? [img]smilies/rolleyes.gif[/img] Strange looks, I'm sure, and questions. Ah well.

Recently I've been taking the dog, Frodo, on my adventures. As a matter of fact, I've been doing that for about a month now. But now after many warnings I've hooked up a leash to his collar and said regretfully, "I told you if you didn't stop barking at passers-by, I'd have to put a leash on you." But whether on a leash or not, he's could protection against the Black Riders.

Lyra, what kind of proposal do you mean? *looks rather shocked* The worst the Black Riders have ever done to this hobbit is saying, "Hello." And this hobbit timidly says hello back and quickens the pace before they realize that they were speaking to a dangerous creature and urge their black steeds after her.

[mark12_30]

...history in the art of Irish Dance. It might be an interesting story to some people some day

Me for one! Post it somewhere and put a link here!

Through different Irish dances, I've found that some of them could be considered 'hobbit.'

Which ones? Can you describe them? Some of us know what a "Rise and Grind" is... What tunes? Shall we have a Hobbit Dance? Oooo--elves would love those dances! So would hobbits!

Lindo knows some Elvish children's dances that hobbits can do... [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] Perhaps when we all get to Rivendell we'll have a dance. Or-- Hmmm, wasn't Hilde dancing on Weathertop?

Which reminds me-- has anyone actually choreographed a Springle Ring? Tolkien described it as a "Pretty dance but rather vigorous." And it can be danced on a table top. Hmmm, perhaps a little reminiscent of the Highland Fling...?