Day 24: Home Once More

Nashville is in my rear view mirror, and home is ahead. Day 23 I left the conference to make the 600 mile journey back home. The day was long and by the time I could see the familiar lights of my town sitting on its hill, I was exhausted. There was no walking on Day 23.

Of course I could not ignore the need to walk and Day 24 saw me back on the trails around my home. My country trails seemed almost monotonous after several days in the hustle and bustle of Nashville. Still, it was wonderful to return to everyday life. All together I walked 8.42 miles (13.6 km) on Day 24.

The hobbits haven’t met any more misfortune thus far. They are enjoying a seemingly rare peaceful journey. Though Strider is taking them slightly out of their way to avoid showing where they are actually heading, their journey is also monotonous.

I have come to wonder about how the hobbits handled going from a fairly ordinary life into one of adventure and near constant peril. How did they manage to go from a life of good food, inns, and company to life on the road? As much as I like to compare myself to the hobbits on this blog, the reality is that I am still continuing my own life without much of a change. I am not facing the peril the hobbits did, nor am I even attempting this journey for some of the selfless causes the hobbits are. I fear this part of the journey will always be a mystery to me, and that’s probably for the best. After all, much of Tolkien’s profoundness and timeless work comes from an understanding of something that the everyday person could not fathom.

The Road Goes Ever On and On,
~ Daisy Buttons