The Bahamas are nice. Hawaii is so hula. And Disney, magical at any age. But how many romantic beaches and pictures with Goofy can you stand before wanting a little bit more out of a vacation? Paradise is a nice place to visit, but no one would really want to live there. We humans are surprisingly durable. We can take a fall, a dive into cold water, a punch in the face. We can handle all that, and so much more. So why not take a vacation that offers more? Instead of a walk along a quiet and pristine beach, how about a noisy splash in the mud? Here are a few vacation ideas for which you are going to need to pack a helmet:
Hatfield McCoy Trails
At Hatfield McCoy Trails, there are no pristine beaches anywhere in sight. This is not romantic. And no one will be playing sultry ukulele music for your delight. By night, you will be staying in a rustic cabin. By day, you will be bouncing your way through some of the roughest nature trails around, in your ATV.
ATVs have come a long ways since the early days of four-wheelers. Kids and dads used to enjoy four-wheeling together. These days, ATVs have become so complicated and expensive as to be the exclusive domain of grownup kids.
Fortunately, there are places online you can still find ATVs for kids. Splashing through the mud should be a family affair. Just remember that the shopping list does not stop with a cool ride. You will also need protective gear. So if you are going to Hatfield and McCoy Trails, take this message from their website to heart:
Remember, all Hatfield McCoy Trail riders are always required to wear a helmet and protective eyewear. Over the ankle footwear and gloves are also strongly encouraged for ATV riding. These basic items, along with a jersey and riding pants or water-resistant pants, not only offer greater protection than ‘everyday’ clothes, but also make riding much more comfortable.
West Virginia River Gorge
Not a land-lover? How do you feel about water? West Virginia has some of the most beautiful scenery in all the world. And one of the best ways to enjoy it is from a raft briskly floating and skipping atop the swiftly moving currents of an untamed river.
Of course, rafting is not the only thing you can do there. You can also enjoy canopy touring, fishing, rock climbing, zip lining, and white water kayaking. West Virginia River Gorge offers the freedom to stay for hours or weeks. You can lodge in a cabin or vacation home. You can eat home-style or gourmet. Feel free to choose your own adventure. Just don’t forget to bring a helmet. Just about everything there that makes your heart skip a beat will require one.
Myrtle Beach
When it is time to take a vacation with just you and your special someone, it is tough to beat South Carolina’s Myrtle Beach. The sand, the waves, the… Oh, who are we kidding? You don’t need a helmet for that. You don’t even need a helmet for taking in the beauty from an arial view. The helmet is for when you jump out of that perfectly good plane for no better reason than the thrill of it.
At the time of this writing, there is a vacation package that includes 2 nights in a 2 bedroom condo, along with 2 tandem skydives for $525. Some conditions apply, including:
” – Skydiver must be 18 years old or older.
” – You must not weigh over 230 lbs.
” – All skydivers may be evaluated by an instructor.
It’s not for the faint of heart. No, seriously, you need a strong heart. to fully participate in any of these vacations. Many people visit Disney every year of their lives. I can’t say I blame them. But these vacations fall in the category of, “you only live once”. So take a ride, a wave, and a dive into a great adventure that will be with you for a lifetime.
…And don’t forget the helmet.
