24 Dates in 2024

24 Dates in 2024 – Date #8

Raise your hand if you are today years old and understand that 7 miles on a bike at Planet Fitness is not the same as 7 miles out in the wild.

My hand is up. I mean, NOW it’s up, but when Ken asked if I wanted to park the car halfway to our biking destination last week, I asked, ” How far is the ride?”

“It’s 7 miles in one direction,” he replied.  

With the confidence of a Tour de France athlete, I said, “No need. I clock 7 miles in 30 minutes at the gym. I can do the whole thing.”

Can I please get a reality check? 

Seven miles out in the wild, there and back is 14 miles, and took an entire day with frequent stops and lunch. I mean we had to take in the surroundings and eat!  

Date # 8 of our 24 dates in 2024 happened to be our 24-year anniversary. We cruised beside the Delaware River on a 15-mile bike trail at Washington Crossing.

The ride coming back had an extra mile? I don’t understand!  The math isn’t mathing! It could have been the point when Ken mentioned he wasn’t entirely sure of certain sections of the trail and as long as we didn’t lose sight of the River, we were good.

“Ken, I don’t see the river. We good?” But, we did not get lost.

Surprisingly, the sun and blue skies remained “sunny-blue” all day. The weather in South Jersey has been more like Seattle lately. With a picture-perfect day, the peace of unrestricted time, and the adventure of the outdoors, this anniversary was 100% “us.”

The day was filled with taking in the beauty of nature. We saw a fair amount of wildlife, including turtles, ducks, geese with their fur babies, herons, goats, snakes, deer, red-tailed hawks, trout, groundhogs, and fun-loving dogs. 

Yes, we made a list of all the wildlife we saw.

With the calm rush of the Delaware River as the background music to our ride and the shade of the canopy of trees along the path, the time together was serene and quiet.

The trail was easy and accessible. The challenge was the distance, not the trail itself. No steep, get off your butt and push those pedal moments. The fun of being in New Jersey one moment, riding into Pennsylvania, and walking across bridges was uber-cool.

Speaking of bridges, the Pennsylvania side of Washington Crossing is the capital of the quaint country overpass, where we played bike limbo by riding our bikes under multiple overpasses. Of course, this “do not lose your head” game was entirely amusing for me and unnerving to Ken. 

I’m not the one over 6 feet tall.

Our Washinton Crossing date had a different vibe than other dates. It could have been the space, the weather, or, maybe us matching the earthly energy of the day. We spent the time together without the need to fill the day with much chatter about the kids, our work, household logistics, or anything.

To be in peace and quiet with the one you love is some next-level connection. I used to observe older couples in places together, not talking and thought how sad they had nothing to say to each other. Maybe that was the case, or perhaps they had leveled-up their relationship where words were not always required. 

After 24 years of marriage, Ken and I have said a fair amount, and there is alot more to say. Lord willing,  more silently sweet moments are ahead for us.

This date was definitely a ” Let’s Do It Again” and a South Jersey keeper. To learn more about Washington Crossing click here for details to plan your next date.