On October 8, my husband and I are celebrating our third wedding anniversary. We love biking, hiking, kayaking—pretty much anything outdoors—followed by a good meal and a cold beer. Got any advice for an unforgettable Ann Arbor date night?
Congratulations on your three years of marriage—your leather anniversary! You’ve achieved durability, flexibility, and, a goal all lovers dream of realizing, high resistance to abrasion and wind. It’s a big deal.
It’s well-known that couples who adventure together, stay together, so I’m particularly excited about supporting your co-wanderlust. Buyer beware however, your mention of biking, hiking, and kayaking immediately became a package deal in my mind—a true love triathlon, a Treetown Trifecta! Saddle up, we’re going big.
In true WSS fashion, I’ve abandoned Reddit, Google Maps, and AllTrails in favor of consulting a local expert: Becky Hand, Ann Arbor Parks & Rec’s Natural Area Preservation supervisor.
“For starters… you’re going to need more than just an evening,” Hand advises. “I’d recommend setting aside a full day and packing a lunch!”
Per Becky’s curated route, first stash your bikes at Gallup Park, near the canoe livery, before driving up to Argo Park. From there, rent a kayak and paddle downstream, through the Argo Cascades and back to Gallup, where you’ll return your boat and hop on those bikes.
“Grab the Border to Border Trail (B2B) just south of the wooden vehicle bridge and go west, following the trail through Gallup Park, Fuller Park, and Riverside Park, before hitting the Argo Cascades again,” Hand continues. “At the south end of the Cascades, take a detour to Traver Road, following it northeast a little less than a mile to the Leslie Science & Nature Center. Behind LSNC is your hike, through the Black Pond Woods Nature Area.
“Hit the loop trail, which will take you through a high-quality oak-hickory forest and a floating boardwalk over Black Pond itself. Watch for pond critters along the way and maybe check out the LSNC’s raptor enclosures! You can then hop back on your bikes, making your way back to the B2B and your car at Argo.”
As you’ll likely be very ready for a proper meal and frosty bev or three, let’s keep the rest of your evening breezily close, walkable even. Kerrytown is just minutes away, where you can catch a free happy hour concert on October 8 by “soulful Americana” duo Jaded Ravins at North Star Lounge, before ending your day with a leisurely, calorically appropriate, and always celebratory dinner at Miss Kim.
If you harbored any doubts about making it another three years, dear reader, you’ll surely know by the end of this date.
Need advice about something Ann Arbor-ish? Email [email protected].