The Unsent Postcards of Celefinniel in Middle Earth

The original Walk to Rivendell Challenge began on Monday, March 17th, 2003. The founder of this fitness challenge began researching the miles, milestones and time frame of the hobbits’ journey to Rivendell in Fellowship of the Ring . The group was later joined by Karen Wynn Fonstad, author of the Atlas of Middle-earth. Mrs. Fonstad provided us with very detailed charts of all the Fellowship’s journey through Middle Earth. Much of the information provided is exclusive to the Eowyn Challenge and can be found nowhere else. The challenge is very simple and flexible; anyone can develop their own variation on this basic idea.

I began my participation soon after the beginning date with the goal agreed by the group, to walk to Rivendell. To pass the time people becan to amuse themselves by sending "postcards" to the other walkers. Since I was doing it alone, I used the postcards as a reason to keep moving and over time they became a record of my travels in Middle Earth. The original postcards were set up on the Challenge site and could only be seen by fellow walkers. Over time I found that there were not enough! So I began to make up my own and the messages grew longer.

Friends who have seen one or two asked me to post them here. The story is not yet finished as I am only running about in Rohan just now. The time is approximately after the end of the War of the Ring but before Frodo sails into the West.

The journey begins.

March 26, 2003 of the current era

Dear Hobbiton Friends,

So many of you have taken to the road since Monday, March 17th that I feel rather left out. A walk in early spring from Hobbiton to Rivendell to see the elves is not to be missed. Many have all been so kind as to stop by my home near Bree on their way, and while I love my home and my work, I am beginning to feel left behind as they go their ways without me.

I have resolved to leave my garden and go to Hobbiton. If I can find any remaining group that is willing to let me join, I will set out with you seeking adventure! If everyone has already departed, then I will make it my business to catch up, but just waiting here for another group of friends to pass through will not do.

According to the map it is only 458 miles from Hobbiton to Rivendell and the Last Homely House. There have been no fell creatures seen on the roads for the last few years since the end of The Great War, and travelers do say that those who take adequate precaution can travel even further than I plan. If I cannot travel with friends, perhaps I can find a guide.

If we do not meet earlier, I will see you all in Rivendell in a few weeks.

Celefinniel