24 Miles, 12 Months: Celebrating Our Digital‑Paper Anniversary on the Falling Waters Trail

1. Roll‑out from Concord: Upright vs. Confident

I straddled my café‑cruiser Ride1Up (upright & laid‑back). Kellie clipped into her Ride1Up 500 (confident on two wheels)—no small thing after her tumble in Cincinnati less then a week ago. Quiet determination replaced small talk for the first few miles; I was proud just watching her spin back into rhythm.

2. Trail Mood Check

• Weather: 75 °F, blue‑bird sky, 2 p.m. start—prime spring.
• Scent Track: Wave after wave of lilacs perfuming the corridor.
• Us: Loving, comfortable, quietly counting on each other.

3. Metal Art & Click‑Worthy Moments

The new metal pieces near Jackson stole the show. Photos can’t capture the light shimmering off that mirrored duo—or the rusted‑link giraffe craning for leaves—but my Meta Glasses sure tried. Each sculpture felt like a checkpoint saying, “Yep, you’re moving forward together.”

4. Jackson Turnaround & Back to Concord

No Lime Lake picnic this time—momentum > charcuterie. We hit the Jackson Trailhead, reset odometers at 12 miles, exchanged a quick confident look, and pointed the bikes home. Same views, new gratitude.

5. Albion Stop: Charlie’s Tavern Celebration

With our bikes secured, we drove approximately 20 minutes southwest to Albion and pulled into the parking lot of Charlie’s Tavern (Since 1944). The familiar paper menu bag from last year’s Fermilab trip still hung by the door, its graphic “Charlie’s Tavern • Restaurant and bar” logo greeting us like an old friend.

Inside, the tavern exudes mid‑century charm: wood‑paneled walls, neon beer signs, and a black‑and‑white photo gallery of Jackson and Albion landmarks. We slid into a booth, and Kellie ordered the Chicken Salad Sandwich ($7.00), piled high with crisp lettuce. I went for Charlie’s Famous College Burger ($10.00), topped with hot pepper cheese, bacon, green olives, and mayo. We couldn’t resist adding smothered fries for $1.99—golden fries drenched in cheese sauce and diced onions, perfect for sharing.

Moments later, our meals arrived. Kellie’s sandwich was creamy and tangy; my burger was rich and spicy. We split the fries and toasted with iced tea to our first year of marriage—messy, indulgent, and utterly satisfying.

Gear We Packed & Affiliate Recommendations

• Meta Smart Glasses: Hands‑free photos & nav cues on the fly – https://amzn.to/432mQws
• Water Bottles: HYDAWAY Collapsible Water Bottle (25 oz) – https://amzn.to/4m5QObB
• Backpack: MATEIN Travel Backpack (40 L Carry‑On) – https://amzn.to/3GL7Ewo
• Portable Power: Anker PowerCore 10000 – https://amzn.to/4d5twOV
• Action Camera: GoPro HERO9 Black – https://amzn.to/3GLWyaj
• Safety & Repair: Bell, front/rear lights, multi‑tool, spare tube, mini pump
• Clothing: Padded shorts, moisture‑wicking tee, lightweight windbreaker

Trail Etiquette & Safety Tips

• Stay Right, Pass Left: Announce “on your left” and give adequate space.
• Yield to Pedestrians: Slow to walking speed around families and hikers.
• Observe Signage: Respect speed limits and any temporary closures.
• Plan Breaks: Use designated benches and parking‑lot restrooms.
• Carry Essentials: ID, emergency contact, small first‑aid kit, and cash/card.

Reflections on Our First Anniversary Ride

24 miles felt like 24 reasons we’ll keep choosing each other. Kellie’s confidence after that Cincinnati spill reminded me why I married her: grit wrapped in kindness. The mirrored sculpture showed us our reflections; Charlie’s photo wall showed a legacy. Next spring we’re eyeing the Great Lake‑to‑Lake Route—because mileage, like marriage, only gets better with forward motion.

Future‑Forward Footnote: Here’s to year two—more trails, fewer spills, and maybe arriving on time for our anniversary post. Love you, Kellie.