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: for $62, you get a four-hour introductory group lesson at Wisconsin Hang Gliding in Whitewater (a $125 value).

Wisconsin Hang Gliding gives thrill seekers the gift of flight, temporarily liberating lead-footed land bodies from gravity’s pesky embrace. The company's certified, friendly instructors bring along all the necessary equipment, from helmets and harnesses to the glider itself. Each intro class takes off with lessons in ground-based essential skills such as glider set-up, handling the craft on the ground, and how to maneuver around jealous ostriches.

With a feel for basic terrestrial fundamentals, students learn to run with the glider on flat earth into the wind, and finally, down the bunny hill and into the air for some short flights, giving stratosphere-craving cerebellums a taste of soaring heights to come. Rated in advanced and tandem hang-gliding, foot launching, and tug piloting, owner-operator Rik Bouwmeester has been taking wing for 30 years. Lessons are available from sunset to sundown, seven days a week, by appointment.