I'll be the first to confess that I'm not the adventurous type. I don't think you'll ever find me jumping out of a perfectly-functioning airplane or attaching a bungee cord to my ankle.
Still, there are plenty of adventurous activities out there that even cautious travelers like me would enjoy. You don't even have to look far to find them, because Lois Friedland, About.com's Guide to Adventure Travel, has put together a blog carnival featuring adventure travel activities in national parks around the world. To me, national parks and adventurous activities are a perfect combination. Natural beauty in a unique setting somehow inspires me to try something - like jungle hiking or cycling - that I'd probably never do at home.
Feeling inspired? Take a look at the many suggestions for national park adventures offered by your About.com Travel Guides and start planning your next trip.
Photo © Mike Goodwin