The first parachute was invented when Jack, tumbling haplessly from his titanium beanstalk, used a purloined pair of giant underpants to steady his fall. Glide to earth safely with today's deal. For $109, you get a tandem skydive from Skydive Midwest, up to a $189 value. Divers must be 18 and weigh 250 pounds or less to plunge from the Sturtevant, Wisconsin dropzone, a 75-minute drive north of Chicago and accessible by Metra. Jumps are available seven days a week.

Skydive Midwest's staff is full of adrenaline and safety addicts. Each staff fall-pro has completed an average of 4,000 jumps and is licensed by the United States Parachute Association. Prior to soaring above the private, closed airspace, you'll receive a half-hour briefing on the jump process and landing technique. Then you and your fellow skynauts will take to the 14,500-foot-high skies in the impeccably-safe King Air turboprop. When the door opens, it's nothing but sky.

Depending on the day's viscosity of the air and the presence of cottony clouds, you'll freefall for up to a minute, whooping like a fool the entire way, snuggly secured to your instructor. The gentle tug of the chute switches you from rush to awe as you drift slowly down to earth while admiring the magisterial flatness and the skyline of both Chicago and Milwaukee.

A tandem jump is an easy way to experience skydiving for the first, second, or even 204th, time. Removed from the pressure of pulling your shoot and managing your falling form, you'll be able to simply enjoy the thrill of being strapped to a shirtless skydiving surfer with lust for life and tendency to spout opaque, Zen-like platitudes.

Jumps are contingent on weather. Bring your own lunch, preferably a giant, sloppy sandwich to eat during freefall.

Reviews

Skydive Midwest gets four stars from Yelpers and 4.5 stars from Dropzone reviewers:

• The instructors and staff are wonderful, and will answer any questions you have. I just felt good being there and can't wait to get back! – Jules3, Dropzone
• You are welcomed with open arms by all the staff members. The facility is kept clean and very respectable. The people go out of their way to assist visitors and there's always a smile! – TwinCam, Dropzone
• Great staff, easy going atmosphere... Right off of 94. Go there and have a great time! – 0verfiend