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All in a Day's Play Bored? Jump into one of these seven great adventures that require only a day -- and a whole lot of nerve
By Deborah Moss
Spring has sprung, and you're craving an adrenaline rush -- you deserve a
reward for making it through the winter. Trouble is, adventures take time and
money, and you're a little short on
both.
We have the answer, a way to satisfy your craving without breaking the bank:
day-tripping. All you need is a day, an I'll-try-anything attitude and a little
coin.
You can hit new heights (skydiving and rock climbing) or go below the surface
(caving and scuba diving). You can ride the rapids (white-water rafting) or the
trails (mountain biking and all-terrain skating). All these trips are
beginner-friendly, so pick your pleasure. If you don't live near our chosen
spots, we've provided Web sites so you can find a place near you to raft, climb
or fly.
So why are you still sitting there? Get going.
Wild Cave Tour See if spelunking is as fun to do as it is to say. At Mammoth Cave National Park, the world's most extensive cave system, you'll crawl, climb and squeeze through five of the more than 300 miles of charted passageways. Bonus view: crystal-covered walls. If you want to explore even farther down under, try visiting the Web site of the National Speleological Society, at www.caves.org/info/grotto. Skydive
Arizona Sprout some wings, or come close anyway: Leap into thin air. First, you're strapped to an instructor (first-timers usually jump tandem), and then, after the plane climbs to 13,000 feet, the doors open and you and your instructor topple out, free-falling 7,000 feet in about a minute. Then you pop the chute and enjoy a peaceful, five-minute float to terra firma. For a state-by-state drop-zone directory, log on to the U.S. Parachute Association's Web site, www.uspa.org/GroupMembership/DropZone.htm. Dirt Camp Resorts Program Whether you want more clearance on your bunny hops or have never even hopped onto a mountain bike, Dirt Camps are for you. In the morning you're fitted on a bike (your own or a rental) and instruction begins. Afternoons are devoted to everyone tearing it up on single-track trails (in groups according to skill level), with instructors riding along to give tips on techniques. Vertical Adventures Rock Climbing
School
Spiderman will have nothing on you once you finish a day hanging from your fingertips. However, novices must start on the ground, where they learn everything from climbing lingo to rappelling techniques. (Advanced climbers are welcome too; they'll dive right into more challenging instruction.) Then it's time to climb, starting with face-climbing on low-angle rocks then going vertical. If you can't make it to California, you can find a certified guide near you by visiting the Web site of the American Mountain Guide Association, at www.amga.com/guides/rock.htm. Discover Scuba Diving After learning the basics (such as how to clear your mask and equalize the pressure in your ears) in the comfort of shallow water, you'll descend 40 feet under the waves to hang with the sea anemones. If you're ready to change your name to Jacqueline Cousteau after your dive, ask PADI about its limited-certification program, which allows students to dive to 100 feet with an instructor. Holiday Expeditions White-water
Rafting
Skim along the river's surface as you paddle solo in an inflatable kayak. Or let the guide work while you admire the scenery. Your group picks the way you want to see the river: in a kayak, oar-powered boat (the guide rows) or paddleboat (both guide and guests paddle). To find where you can go white-water rafting nearby, log on to Riversearch, www.riversearch.com. Rollerblade Blade Cross
Cross mountain biking with downhill skiing and in\!line skating, and you get
ballistic all-terrain skating. Intrigued? We thought so. At events this spring
and summer, Rollerblade is offering free lessons (with equipment) to teach you
how to cruise over roots and rocks, bomb downhill -- and still make it home in
one
piece.
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