BAG END TO RIVENDELL

17810121315

Replies

  • AmeliaJ92
    AmeliaJ92 Posts: 586 Member
    40 miles in.
  • byrdiebee
    byrdiebee Posts: 85 Member
    Today is my first day, I'm only counting 'real' walks, not all the walking I just did at Wal-Mart, is that what you guys are doing?

    This morning- 1.5 miles
    Left Bag End and am headed south on the lane, following the hedgerows.

    Off I go to see if I can get to the plank bridge before it gets dark!
  • Jaessa
    Jaessa Posts: 122 Member
    I only count miles I walk above and beyond my "everyday" walking, but it's completely up to the individual. If someone wants to wear a pedometer and count all their miles, I say "Way to go". Maybe that motivates them to walk a little more. It's a long journey and we all get there in our own way. Keep up the good work!
  • byrdiebee
    byrdiebee Posts: 85 Member
    Thanks, Jaessa, that makes sense. I was being a little 'rules obsessed' 'Am I doing this right?!' ;)

    I LOVE your profile picture, are you a real hobbit!!!!? I only get to play one on LotRO. I thought it might be fun to post where I get to using my favorite hobbit, Byrdie.


    Here she is leaving Bag End after consulting a few maps in the study. She has her bag packed and is carrying her trusty fry pan.


    01db9c3b-ba01-4a98-9b30-fed0df20f536_zps64ee24d3.jpg



    Mile 3- Cross The Water on a plank bridge

    7dcb715a-60c4-4035-80f7-0460eef0fe73_zpsba903d9f.jpg


    Now on to the Green Hill country and beyond.
  • Jaessa
    Jaessa Posts: 122 Member
    Thanks for the kind words. I'm not a REAL hobbit, but would like to be! I love growing green things. I can also identify with being an Entwife, as they like things to grow where they put them and I'm alittle OCD about things growing where they shouldn't. I love the pictures you posted. I would think it would be so cool to live in a hobbit hole. I checked into it once and figured it would cost about a million bucks to build. As I don't have anywhere near that kind of money, I'll have to stay put. Is Byrdie a name you picked for your character in LotRO? Jaessa is my hobbit name. I have been doing Eowyn's Challenge for over four years!!! It's a good thing the people of Middle Earth were not depending on me! I am about one hundred miles from Mount Doom. I've had some back and hip problems for the last year, so have really slowed down. Hopefully things are on the mend and I can continue the journey. Keep walking!
  • byrdiebee
    byrdiebee Posts: 85 Member
    Almost to Mordor, Jaessa? Wonderful! Yes, Byrdie is my hobbit's name in LotRO. I've been playing her for years, but not so much lately. I fell in love with a hobbit hole shed/playhouse/chicken coop I found online, and really want it! IT's only a few thousand, lol. BUT, this impresses me beyond words...http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2039719/Simon-Dale-How-I-built-hobbit-house-Wales-just-3-000.html This house thrills me!

    I too like growing green things, and my little vegetable garden this year is off to a good start.

    Right after starting this challenge, I had a recurrent health problem rear its ugly head, it makes me so mad! Oh well. I will resume as soon as I can. Hopefully we will both resume walking soon. Actually, I may try for a slow mile this afternoon. I think I just talked myself in to it.

    Miles to go before I sleep.
  • byrdiebee
    byrdiebee Posts: 85 Member
    5- Cross The Great Road from the Brandywine Bridge. Enter Tookland.
  • byrdiebee
    byrdiebee Posts: 85 Member
    7.5 Look back at lights of Hobbiton from first slopes of the Green Hill Country

    When I leave my front door and head to the mail box, I am walking down a gravel road to the paved road, about a quarter of a mile. So two trips there and back again is one mile through Shire-like countryside. Of course I am listening to The Hobbit soundtrack. It's lovely.Today I had company on both my morning and afternoon walks. Not all welcome company either.

    First round my son walked with me. Second round I came around a curve and startled three turkeys. It was funny to hear them gobble and complain that I disturbed them. This afternoon's walk was more sinister. I was walking back on my first lap and I saw a dark line stretched across the road . A black snake. I was so brave, I kept walking, he kept slinking and I walked right past him as he gave me room. The only way I could manage this was to walk by without looking at him, but this put me walking down a road with my back to a snake, so I had to look back over my shoulder. That snake had turned around and had been heading back toward me! I squeaked. I really squeaked, but just kept on walking. Yes, walking a little quicker.

    But now I needed to make another round to complete the mile. No sign of the snake on my way to the mailbox, but coming back, there he is again. Sneaking!

    I named the snake Sméagol. The turkeys? Oh, they're gobble-ins of course.
  • Jaessa
    Jaessa Posts: 122 Member
    You are too funny! I love the way you look at things! Remember that Hobbits are much braver than they look and I think you proved that on your quest!
  • byrdiebee
    byrdiebee Posts: 85 Member
    Mile 9- Hobbiton hidden as slopes rise and fall.

    No sign of Sméagol, but I know he's out there somewhere.

    (Jaessa, I admit I am a goof. When I got back yesterday and told my story to the kids, my 20 year old said that he hadn't thought it possible, but my nerd factor had just increased. He has NO idea what I am truly capable of- and I will delight in showing him. Mwa ha ha!!!)
  • Jaessa
    Jaessa Posts: 122 Member
    I think we are kindred spirits. When I read your post, one of my first thoughts was how "nerdy" my kids would think it was and how much I LOVED it! Let your geek flag fly!
  • byrdiebee
    byrdiebee Posts: 85 Member
    Mile 11- Stop in a birch grove, eat a frugal supper.

    Or in my case, second breakfast.
  • byrdiebee
    byrdiebee Posts: 85 Member
    Mile 14.5 Reach Stock Road
  • byrdiebee
    byrdiebee Posts: 85 Member
    Mile 17.5 I've started singing, and apparently Pippin finds it boring for he yawns.

    I'll do another half mile this afternoon to reach camp in a firwood and sleep, but with one eye open. I want to see the fox!
  • byrdiebee
    byrdiebee Posts: 85 Member
    Mile 24.5 Road rolls up and down.

    Sméagol has a girlfriend. They slithered off together as I approached. I think I heard one say, "Precious."
  • byrdiebee
    byrdiebee Posts: 85 Member
    Mile 32- BLACK RIDER! Hide!
  • AmeliaJ92
    AmeliaJ92 Posts: 586 Member
    42 miles
  • yarmiah
    yarmiah Posts: 325 Member
    Day 1. Journey begins


    Over the hedge, through the gate, down the lane and following hedgerows South
    (walk to and from gym, 40 minute 1.7mile incline walk on treadmill) = 2 miles

    456 miles to go!
  • yarmiah
    yarmiah Posts: 325 Member
    Day 2.

    Crossed The Water and plankbridge AND Crossed The Great Road from Brandywine Bridge,
    entered Tookland. (40 minutes on stair treadmill at 60 steps per minute) = 3.19 miles

    453 miles to go!
  • AmeliaJ92
    AmeliaJ92 Posts: 586 Member
    44 miles. The area is hilly and Pippin is sleepy. Since I was working out at 5:30am and going up and down hills, I agree with Pippin.
  • byrdiebee
    byrdiebee Posts: 85 Member
    Mile 40. It's twilight and I'm singing. I tired to do one more mile "and then to bed" but the family needed dinner. Tomorrow!

    Yarmiah!!!! You started! Yay! And, hello, Amelia. I can see you just ahead of me on the road.
  • byrdiebee
    byrdiebee Posts: 85 Member
    Mile 43. Walking with elves. Heard a bird of prey call again today, I think it's the same one that flies off from the backyard some mornings when I open the blinds. I named him Landroval.
  • AmeliaJ92
    AmeliaJ92 Posts: 586 Member
    46 miles. End of Day 2.
  • yarmiah
    yarmiah Posts: 325 Member
    Day 3.

    Looking back at Hobbiton from slopes of Green Hill country, hard to see from slopes rising and falling.
    (45 minutes on stair treadmill 63-65 spr, plus 15 pullups) = 3.7 miles

    449 Miles to go
  • byrdiebee
    byrdiebee Posts: 85 Member
    Mile 46-Camp - Woody End. A green floor in the wood, roofed by boughs of trees. To the east a steep shoulder falls, and they can overlook the river valley. The lights of the village of Woodhall seen below

    Hard to accept that it took me this long to walk the distance they walked in two days.
  • nuttyengineer
    nuttyengineer Posts: 112 Member
    Believe it or not, I'm still going, albeit ridiculously slowly. I sort of quit keeping track of miles for a while as things got overwhelming with school. Based on the stuff I've done the last little while I'm at 316.2, so, not quite four days from Weathertop.
  • Jaessa
    Jaessa Posts: 122 Member
    Hey, they had nothing else to do but walk. Our lives are just a little more complicated than that! Keep up the good work!
  • byrdiebee
    byrdiebee Posts: 85 Member
    Mile 52- "Pippin realizes they've turned too far south as they are still in the trees. "
  • nuttyengineer
    nuttyengineer Posts: 112 Member
    323.8 - Continue in valley, 4th day from Weathertop
  • yarmiah
    yarmiah Posts: 325 Member
    Day 4.

    Stopped at birch grove for frugal supper. About halfway to Stock Road.
    (45 minutes stairtreadmill = 3.74 miles)

    445.3 miles to go
This discussion has been closed.