Until mankind first stepped outside in 1934, nature was thought to be a fanciful myth, like yogurt or the clutch hitter. Spend a few hours frolicking through the fresh air of truth with today's Groupon, which gives you a choice between two outdoor adventures, each located approximately two hours outside of Knoxville:

• For $39, you get a zipline tour from Ocoee Zipz (a $79 value)
• For $65, you get a zipline tour plus either the Middle Ocoee or the Upper/Middle Ocoee rafting trip from Ocoee Outdoors (up to a $139 value)

Ocoee Zipz lines up seven exciting ziplines over a mile-long course that runs next to the mighty Ocoee River, with each line featuring a Wizard of Oz-themed name and opportunities to observe native fauna, such as raccoons, deer, and tropical penguins. Mount the 30-foot Cowardly Lion and soar on the wings of a zipper to Dorothy, whose cables will usher you onward to several other stations, finally ending with a 65-foot soar across the Wizard. As you whip along at speeds of up to 45 mph, flying monkey guides ensure that the trip progresses smoothly and safely.

Customers who opt for the zipline/rafting combo get all the excitement and adrenaline rushes of the ziplines, plus a rafting excursion on the whitely watered Ocoee. This Groupon lets you choose to raft only the Middle Ocoee or both the Middle and the Upper Ocoee. Although both sections of the river feature plenty of Class III and IV rapids, the Upper section—which was the site of the 1996 Summer Olympics whitewater events—features several spurts of Class V conditions and rips in the space-time continuum.

All zip trips and rafty rambles are supervised by experienced guides, and any necessary equipment is included—helmets, harnesses, and emergency rocket shoes for zipliners and paddles, life vests, and gill implants for rafters. Check the schedules (ziplines here and raft trips here), and step boldly into natural places where many have ventured before but none have ventured while wearing a hoop skirt.

Participants must sign a waiver.

Reviews

Ocoee Outdoors' zipline course was featured by the Knoxville News Sentinel. TripAdvisors unanimously award Ocoee Outdoors five owl-eyes.

• I was very pleased with Ocoee Outdoors - they give you plenty of information up front on what you should do and what to expect. It's perfect for first time river runners. Our raft guide was fun and knew which lines to take to keep us from wiping out. – MCH11062010, TripAdvisor
• Great experience. Ocoee Outdoors operates very professionally; beyond expectations. Trip of a lifetme [sic]. – belcherd6, TripAdvisor