The Hobbit is a book written by J. R. R. Tolkien, for his children as a bedtime story, published on September 21, 1937, The plot is about the hobbit (a small race of people invented by Tolkien) Bilbo Baggins who goes on an adventurous quest with a group of dwarves and the wizard Gandalf, in order to fight the dragon Smaug, which has stolen the treasures and home of the dwarves. Although Tolkien borrowed (for example names and background) from his own Middle-earth storyline, The Hobbit was at first not intended to be part of it. Only later, when Tolkien wrote The Lord of the Rings, did he integrate the story of both Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings into his Middle-earth world. the story takes place before The Lord of the Rings. The book The Hobbit was the predecessor of The Lord of the Rings. Now, after three Lord of the Rings movies, two Hobbit movies will follow in 2011 and 2013.
The Hobbit Bilbo Baggins is hired as a burglar by Gandalf and thirteen dwarves led by their king Thorin Oakenshield on a quest to reclaim the Lonely Mountain and its treasure from the dragon Smaug. The adventure takes Bilbo through the wilderness, to the haven of Rivendell, through the Misty Mountains and the black forest of Mirkwood, to Lake-town in the middle of Long Lake, and eventually to the Mountain itself. Here, after the dragon is killed and the Mountain reclaimed, the Battle of Five Armies takes place.
In his journey, Bilbo encounters other fantastic creatures, including trolls, elves, giant spiders, a man who can change shape into a bear, goblins, eagles, wolves and a mysterious, murderous creature named Gollum. Underground, near Gollum's lair, Bilbo finds a magic ring of invisibility, which he uses to escape from Gollum.
While Bilbo comes across initially as a timid, easily-flustered bumbler, he grows wiser and more confident as the story progresses. In several of the plot's tight situations, he is the one who saves the day. He rescues the dwarves from giant spiders with the magic ring and a short Elven-sword he acquired. He uses the ring to sneak about hostile areas, and uses his wits to smuggle the dwarves out of the elves' prisons. He is able to hold his own in conversation with the wily Smaug. When tensions arise over ownership of the recovered treasure, he unsuccessfully tries to bring the opposing sides to compromise, using a stolen heirloom jewel as leverage. This strains his relationship with Thorin, but they are reconciled at Thorin's death. Bilbo impresses leaders of men and elves, as well as Gandalf, who knew all along that there was more behind the easily-flustered hobbit of the opening chapter. At the end of the tale, Bilbo finds that he has traded respectability for experience and wisdom.
Find the 5 Hobbit caches to obtain the coordinates to The Misty Mountains Cache GC2BYX8
Wizard Gandalf GC2BWZ1, The Hobbit ~ Bilbo Baggins GC2BWYN, Smaug GC2BWYX, Gollum GC2BWZ2, King Thorin GC2COEN
THE MISTY MOUNTAINS CACHE COORDINATES:
N40 41. BILBO BAGGINS / GOLLUM / SMAUG
W074 26. WIZARD GANDOLF/ THORIN
PLEASE NOTE: There are no trails in this scenic park which runs along the Passaic River. To search for the Hobbit caches. You will be hiking through fields, woodlands and marshlands, as well as crossing some small streams.
The NNJC is about promoting a quality caching experience in Northern New Jersey. For information on The Northern New Jersey Cachers group you can visit: www.nnjc.org
