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Seemingly cheating death is fun – emphasis on seemingly. A rush of adrenaline meant to help us stay alive can be manipulated to make us feel alive through fast speeds, high drops, and exotic environments. If you like that feeling you get when going over a hill at high speed in a moving vehicle, then consider taking your thrill seeking to the next level. The following options can be sought almost everywhere but have “capitals” throughout the United States:
Rollercoasters
The most accessible and least-physically intensive option on the list, rollercoasters can be found anywhere and can be enjoyed by just about anyone able to fit in the seat. They also come in a wide variety so those with a fear of going upside down or who prefer smaller drops can still have a good heart-racing time. If an assortment of coasters is the goal, then Ohio is where you need to go. Cedar Point along Lake Erie has a record 17 roller coasters while Kings Island near the Kentucky border is the largest theme park in the Midwest.
Surfing
By “experience at least once” we don’t always mean a half day-long excursion. Surfing, for example, is a thrill which takes some serious practice to successfully pull off. A few days out of a vacation by the ocean ought to do it – if you’re down. The Southern California surfer culture is widespread but there is no better place to give it a try. Beginners are recommended to head to La Jolla, where the local surfers are a little more tolerant of the interloper. For safety reasons, it’s important to get a gauge on the waves. Consult the San Diego surf report before heading to the beach. It may seem safe at first sight but the surfers out there may be especially skilled and thus the waves look deceptively doable.
Skydiving
Jumping out of a plane strapped to a parachute hoping it works is what most people think of when they think of a death-defying experience. Few rushes will ever beat it, but beginners are never going to be going out alone. For your first several jumps you’re tied to an experienced skydiver. For the best places to go, the obvious choice is the plain states of the Midwest. To worry less about the weather, head for Texas. These regions of the U.S. have more options as far as skydiving schools and centers.
Parkour
I can’t officially endorse trespassing or reckless personal endangerment, but if you’re in a major city in the U.S., such as Chicago or New York then parkour is something which ought to be tried out. It can actually be done just about anywhere even in a suburban setting so long as there are obstacles to leap over and climb up. Just be careful – it’s best to get started as close to the ground as possible and work your way up for obvious reasons.
Some people are born to play it safe their whole lives. Others, however, crave a thrill now and then, if not regularly. Whether riding a rollercoaster or a big wave, jumping out of an airplane or across an alley, increased danger in our lives provides a level of excitement that can be addictive.