Traveling doesn’t always mean having to fly half way around the world to gain a new experience. I have been home for a few weeks and I got to experience something new, a travel adventure if you will, so close to home.
For the second year in a row, REI had closed its doors on Black Friday to encourage people to #OptOutside. This year they partnered with Skedaddle to give free rides in cities to National Parks so that those who wanted to #OptOutside would have a ride to do so.
Skedaddle is this amazing app that I had never known about. What REI and Skedaddle did was put in a public route, which is simply a ride to the destination and a ride back on a luxury coach. I was able to select the route I wanted to be on and it gave me all the details about dates, pick-up and drop-off points, times and even a map that shows the distance between your starting and ending point.
The opening screen of Skedaddle
You can pick a route you would like to join
Details of your selected route
When I arrived at my pick-up point, there was a luxury coach waiting for all the riders. The driver was professional and extremely kind. He explained once we arrived to Great Falls Park where he would be dropping us off and that he would pick us up at the exact same spot, just so there was no confusion.
Skedaddle couch to Great Falls Park
What is really nice about the Skedaddle app is that you can log in and see public & private routes that are available, some for free, and you can see routes that other people have created that are looking for like minded people to split the cost with. Think festivals, outdoor adventures, winery tours, even cross country road trips!
For example, I live in the Northern Virginia area and about 3 hours outside of the city is skiing and snowboarding resorts. I could create a ride for people to go to one of those resorts on a certain set of date(s) and the cost is split across the passengers. This allows people not only to do a ride share but to save money on doing it with others.
Bonus: You make new friends!
Current routes being offered from Washington, D.C.
Great Falls Park
I love that I was able to enjoy a new experience so close to home. I live about 45 minutes away from Great Falls and I had not spent any time out that way. I felt in my element as a traveler and loved being able to get outside and explore new areas.
Fall is in its last stages right now so the park is still showing the some of the amazing colors it offers. The park has a visitors center where you can learn more about the wildlife, the park itself, a gift shop, restrooms, and a theater for showings.
The park also offers a plethora of hiking options. If you don’t want to hike but still want to see the falls, it is very easy to walk. Riding with Skedaddle gave us 6 hours to explore as many trails and waterfall views as we desired.
Remnants of fall left
Kayaks braving the waterfall
Overview of the falls
Light hiking
Stunning scenery
Overall, the concept of both #OptOutside and Skedaddle are excellent. I had never participated in an #OptOutside event or used the Skedaddle app. Now I am sold on doing this every year.
Additional Information:
- You can download Skedaddle for free
- Skedaddle works on both iOS and Android
- Currently only offered in North America
- You can join a route or create your own
- When you create your route, you get to ride free (as long as enough people have joined your route)
- You get to explore new places, meet new people and do new things!
Disclaimer: this was written in partnership with Skedaddle and REI. As always, opinions are my own.
I love platforms like these! I am all about meeting new people, saving money and finding ways to reduce my environmental impact. I like the fact that is a ride sharing app which means that instead of multiple people taking their own cars, you car pool which is way better!
Author
That is exactly what drove me to this app. I will use it all the time when I am home now <3
What a great idea! I love REI generally so this makes me support them anymore. Also, I’ve been to Great Falls park – I have friends who are majorly outdoorsy living in nearby Potomac. WE took the kids there ln the fall.
How cool is that!? I love REI and the way they’re partnering up and encouraging what they stand for! I just love it and it’s better for the environment because of the ride-sharing! So cool! Thanks for sharing more about this service. It’s one I’ll have to try!
Author
Thanks for reading. Definitely check out Skedaddle – it is an awesome app
That is a great concept for an apt. It would be perfect for doing a day at the Long Island wineries.
Author
You just described what I want to do next summer!
Wow, what a cool concept! I love what’s coming out in the digital world that supports travelers. Actually, in the Philippines, I found out they have a sharing option for their Uber cars! It kinda seems like that! This is legit so great for foreign tourists headed to the States wanting to cover more ground. I’m gonna recommend this to my friends when the come visit me in Boston! 🙂
Author
I love the Philippines!! I used Uber to get around everywhere there .. although when I go back I want to ride in a Jeepney
This is a pretty legit app. I did not know about it though I was aware of the #optoutside movement. I am very much for people go outside and explore and having actual face to face social networking. Thanks for this. I will definately check out this app.
Author
Great to hear! Let me know what you think
Very cool! I live right near Great Falls, and absolutely LOVE going there. It is so pretty there. 🙂 Just followed your blog! <3
Author
Thanks so much! I live pretty close to the Falls as well and really enjoyed my trip there
Oh wow this is so awesome. I love the campaign message and the emphasis of experiencing the world over buying product. I’ll be downloading Skedaddle for sure.
Author
Awesome. Let me know if you take any trips!
First time to your blog and got to say, we love your design. Skedaddle looks like a wonderful app, are you aware if its has geographical restrictions?
Author
Thanks for visiting! I know it works in North America currently.
If you are in this region and download the app, you can browse/search areas you are interested in
Wonderful app for people who don’t drive. Shame its only offered in North America.
Author
Maybe they will expand it 🙂
This is a really cool idea! Unfortunately I don’t think I live close enough to any major parks for this to work out for me. But I would definitely share with others!
Author
The nice thing is that it’s not just to go to Parks – it can be for most anything. Give it a try 🙂
What a great idea, I loved the way they teamed up to encourage people to opt out of Black Friday shenanigans. Hopefully, the app just grows, a great way to meet like-minded people. Thanks for sharing.
Author
Thanks for reading! I think partnering with REI was a great idea and I realize more and more people are opting outside on Black Friday.
what a fantastic idea and app, I will definitely check this out, many thanks for the recommendations, I really enjoy your blog keep up the great content, if you get a chance take a look at mine https://mrpaulblog.com/2016/08/24/jet-lag/
Skedaddle sounds fantastic! I’ve never heard of it, but I can definitely see it being useful for taking groups from Los Angeles up to Big Bear Mountain, or out to the desert, or to the big concerts nobody wants to go to because parking is such a nightmare. Plus, there are so many national parks within a couple of hours of here, I’m betting it would be hugely popular with people just looking for a more economical way to get out of the city. I’m going to check into it. Thank you!
I love the OptOutside movement! We skip shopping and go outside every Black Friday, this year was no exception! I love the ride share addition. Now go outside!
This is such a cool app, both for travellers and locals.. when is it coming to the UK?!
First of all, I’ve never heard of this app, but sounds awesome! I’ll have to see if it’s in Europe since that’s where I am now. But I’m originally from an hour west of DC myself and have never been to Great Falls either! Meanwhile, a former intern of mine seems to be there every other weekend. Looks beautiful and peaceful and the kind of place I would have enjoyed spending time. I enjoyed reading, so thanks for sharing!
This is such an awesome idea! Embarrassingly enough, we didn’t try ride sharing apps until a few months ago. We loved it! We have been wanting to do more exploring and sight seeing throughout the National Parks in the states, this sound perfect since we sold our car before moving abroad!
That’s pretty awesome you got to do this with such great brands! I have never heard of Skedaddle but I will download it and test it out! Love your photos too, looks like fall is still around in your area.
I’ve never heard of this! I need to give this a go! I’ve really only tried Uber.
This is SO COOL!! I have never heard of this app. Checking it out right now to see what I can do here in NYC 🙂
Skedaddle sounds like a cool app. At least when one is in the States. I will try and see if it works other places too.
I’m not a big user of this type of transport but it’s always great to know about this stuff for those “just in case” moments. Thanks for sharing.
This is what we need here at home. I hope that this app soon works here. This will surely save you money and meet new people along the way.
What a great idea! It’s easy to see just why so many have touted this platform lately. Great stuff… great photos too, let’s not overlook that!