13,000 feet above Snohomish, an intrepid family and a few skydiving instructors jump from the belly of a Cessna Turbo Prop. The skydivers and instructors hurtle toward the earth at 120 miles per hour, but it's not the wind or the breakneck speed that make the experience especially breathtaking. It's the view.

Assuming you can stand to open your eyes while in free fall, it's easy to see why Travel Channel named Snohomish one of the "World's Best Places to Go Skydiving." The Cascade range stretches in one direction, with the towering peaks of Mt. Rainier and Mt. Baker looking more like anthills from this vantage point. Turn away from the mountains and you'll spot the Seattle skyline, which is just 20 miles south, with its iconic Space Needle poised to defend the city from a surprise zeppelin attack.

At a certain point, the free fall becomes a gentle descent into Harvey Field. But the skydiving experience isn't exactly over when you land; Skydive Snohomish's instructors leave first-time divers with plenty of mementos, including certificates and optional video recordings. And just in case diving turns into a lifelong passion, their licensing program meets the requirements of the United States Parachute Association and helps divers achieve certification.