I'm in Rivendell :). I walked the last 3.5 miles of 458 miles today, most of it in rather heavy rain. Reached Rivendell in time to go celebrate September 22 with the rest of my "Walk to Rivendell" group, many who have been opening their exchange presents today and posting their excitement and thank yous in the WtR message board (more on that tomorrow).



Finally got to open Emerlute's gift to me this morning. She had sent me a wonderful hickory hiking staff with a leather thong hand grip. I was delighted and I used it today to walk the final two miles to Rivendell. Good thing it's water-proof!

'Lute also does very detailed work with beads (kind of like filker Kathleen Sloan) and she sent me a lovely copper and green beaded ring with my initials in Elfish script. So pretty!

Emerlute also sent me a letter in the package that really touched me, telling me how I had inspired her during the past year. She and I have much in common beyond the fact that we've walked the roads of Middle-earth together and arrived in Rivendell within a week of each other. We both grew up in Hamilton, though she lives in Nashville now, we're both musicians, we both like craftwork, and she even pointed out in her letter that my first sf con, Ad Astra V in Toronto, was also hers and that being that we both checked out the filk room that night we may have even been in the same room. I'm looking forward to the chance to meet her at "The Gathering" in December.

Here was the last paragraph of her letter:

"This stick is Tennessee hickory, which I have also come to respect. Mine is the same length, though it doesn't have the little "wow" at the lower end like this one. It has supported me through creeks and fallen trees, and swept away countless webs, and even been a defense against an unleashed dog. Yet the rubber tip means it touches the earth gently. I hope it helps you, is of use to you, as your walk- not just to Rivendell but through Life- continues ever on."

'Lute was one of several walkers who thanked me personally today both for initiating the gift exchange as well as the TORC branch of "The Walk to Rivendell". Didn't realize, six months ago, that a simple walking challenge would take on deeper meaning for me, but I guess quests often turn out to be that way.