Date Night Adventures with REI

This post is sponsored by REI but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

When Eric and I look back on some of our fondest memories, they almost always include some kind of adventure– the time we biked all over Paris looking for falafel (I was pregnant and had a craving), when we island hopped in Croatia (on a speedboat that felt like a roller coaster), kayaking in Costa Rica (which didn’t last long because we were afraid of sharks), or when we did an obstacle course in Whistler (I’m especially fond of this one because I beat Eric 😉 ). Dinner and a movie is great, but I find that Eric and I connect more when we do something that’s a little out of our comfort zone. But you don’t even have to get on a plane to find adventure, it’s closer than you think with REI and their outdoor experiences.

We just had a great date night adventure through REI. Eric and I signed up for a Sunset Stand Up Paddle Boarding and S’mores outing and it was awesome! REI provided the paddle boards, the paddles, life vests, and pretty much all the equipment, we just needed to show up. Neither of us have a ton of experience with paddle boarding, so we were a little nervous, but the instructors were SO knowledgeable and have a clear love of the outdoors. They also gave everyone in the group a quick paddle boarding lesson before we went out.

We got out on the water just as the sun was setting and saw the most beautiful pink and purple sky. We paddled all around the harbor as we chatted with our instructors and other group members. We then got to another side of the harbor and our guides set up a fire and pulled out all the fixin’s for s’mores. It was the perfect treat before we got back on the water and headed back to our original starting point.

^^How amazing is this picture?! We went under a bridge and as I was coming out from the other side I nearly fell off my board as I scrambled to get my camera to take this shot! Absolutely no editing, just an amazing sky!

I wasn’t really sure what to expect going into this experience, but Eric and I loved it! It was a fun adventure, it was a workout, it was something we have never done, and now it’s a great memory for us. We have already started looking at all the other experiences and outings that REI has to offer, there are seriously SO MANY! There are things to do in our area that I didn’t even know existed–everything from kayaking to hiking to biking to camping to rock climbing! And there are options for adults, children, and families. All you have to do is click HERE, type your zip code, and find experiences near you! The fees for the experiences are very affordable and if you become an REI member then you get a discount on the experiences (in addition to other benefits) and a lifetime membership is only $20!

So next time you and your significant other (or friend, sibling, mom/dad) are looking to plan a fun outing, spice it up and try something a little different with REI.

XO,

L