A Tolkien Ranger

Middle Earth cosplayer and beginning reenactor in the Misty Mountains of Colorado

[ivonwin-blog]

When Frodo came at last up on to the flet he found Legolas seated with three other elves. They were clad in shadowy-grey, and could not be seen among the tree-stems, unless they moved suddenly.

J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

[ivonwin-blog]

“’There lie the woods of Lothlórien!’ said Legolas. ‘That is the fairest of all the dwellings of my people. There are no trees like the trees of that land. For in the autumn their leaves fall not, but turn to gold. Not til the spring comes and the new green opens do they fall, and then the boughs are laden with yellow flowers; and the floor of the wood is golden, and golden is the roof, and its pillars are of silver, for the bark of the trees is smooth and grey.’“

- J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

[ivonwin-blog]

...Frodo heard a sweet singing running in his mind: a song that seemed to come like a pale light behind a grey rain-curtain, and growing stronger to turn the veil all to glass and silver, until at last it was rolled back, and a far green country opened before him under a swift sunrise.

J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

[ivonwin-blog]

Blue Lakes - Mt. Sneffels Wilderness, Colorado

[ivonwin-blog]

But in the wild lands beyond Bree there were mysterious wanderers. The Bree-folk called them Rangers, and knew nothing of their origin. They were taller and darker than the Men of Bree and were believed to have strange powers of sight and hearing, and to understand the languages of beasts and birds. They roamed at will southwards, and eastwards even as far as the Misty Mountains; but they were now few and rarely seen. When they appeared they brought news from afar, and told strange forgotten tales which were eagerly listened to; but the Bree-folk did not make friends of them.

J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

[ivonwin-blog]

Trail Cakes

1 1/2 cups oats

1 cup flour

1 cup powdered milk

1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

1/2 cup dried cranberries

1/2 cup raisins

1/2 cup chopped dates

1/2 cup chopped almonds

1/4 cup chopped crystallized ginger

1 to 1 1/2 cups honey

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Combine ingredients (dry, then honey and vanilla), and form into palm-sized circles on parchment paper. Bake 15-20 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

My first attempt at a tasty and nutritious trail bread, and a successful one in my opinion. These cakes are very dense and very filling, and provide a lot of energy for hiking. I haven’t yet tested their longevity, but I suspect they will easily keep for several weeks or more. They are chewy, but not tooth-breaking as hard tack can be without soaking. As far as Tolkien/historical accuracy, probably half of the ingredients are a bit off the mark - vanilla and cinnamon for sure, and likely dates and almonds as well. Eventually, I would like to have a waybread that uses only accurate ingredients, but for completely experimental trail food, I’m satisfied!

*Note that flour has already been adjusted for high altitude, and the ginger can be a bit strong - so if you don’t like ginger, either reduce the amount or leave it out altogether.

[ivonwin-blog]

'Few now remember them,' Tom murmured, 'yet still some go wandering, sons of forgotten kings walking in loneliness, guarding from evil things folk that are heedless.'

J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

[remuislupin-deactivated20170406]

Lotr + The Hobbit Icon Set Masterpost

11 tolkien icons + 10 tolkien headers 

use freely, no credit needed

please like/reblog if using

don’t claim as your own ok

click below for more 

Keep reading