Thrillseekers have never had more to choose from if they're looking for some R&R and lounging around on the beach spells boredom.

Colorado's roaring rivers, for instance, are a vacation destination for white water rafting enthusiasts. The Cache-LaPoudre River near Fort Collins is a good place to start. From gently flowing waters to roiling rapids, the river can be navigated by novices to those comfortable with more challenging terrain. River outfitters will assess your skill level and plan your down river trip accordingly.

Colorado boasts a wide variety of Rocky Mountain snowmelt-fed rivers and streams. Visit the Colorado Rafting Association site, (www.coloradoraftingassociation.com), for a complete listing of the state's rivers and their degree of difficulty. Many other states also offer white water adventures. A word of warning: Don't take with you on the raft anything you would hate to lose - including expensive sunglasses. Not uncommon is for rafts to capsize. Loose objects are all too often lost forever.

Maybe rock climbing is your thing - or you think it could be. In California's Sierra Mountains, the Sierra Rock Climbing School offers courses for teens and older, and climbs for all skill levels at Mammoth Lakes and Joshua Tree National Park. To learn more, visit the school's website at (www.sierrarockclimbingschool.com).

If you consider yourself to be an expert backpacker, you might be ready to trek up Washington state's Mt. Rainier. Those seeking the peak can expect a challenging climb, surrounded by some of nature's most spectacular sights. You'll need a permit from the National Park Service to climb the mountain. A word of caution: Pack baggies for picking up after yourself on the trail. No outhouses at higher elevations. For more information, visit (www.nps.gov).

If you're a scuba diver whose idea of a good time is getting up close and personal with sharks, you can dive Cozumel Island's Punta Sur. Located off Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, Cozumel also offers cave and night dives. Punta Sur, a deep dive (90 -130 feet) reef off the island's southern tip, is for experienced advanced divers only. There you may see a variety of large sharks, such as black tip and lemon sharks, as well as rays and giant sea turtles. For a complete listing of Cozumel's reefs and dive shops, visit (www.scuba-diving-cozumel.com).

Traveling with the kids? Then snorkeling at Grand Cayman Island's Stingray City may be for you. In shallow water, visitor-friendly rays enjoy being gently stroked as snorkelers of all ages marvel at the velvety texture of their skin. Eagle, manta and stingrays have become habituated to human interaction. For more information on snorkeling with the rays, visit (www.cayman.org).

And of course there are the tried and trues. Skydiving, bungee jumping, drifting across the countryside in a hot air balloon. Driving cattle. Participating in a genuine archaeological dig. Exploring the ocean's depths in a single person submersible, or even, for the very wealthy, tagging along on a trip to outer space. Whatever your pleasure, adventure vacation operators can connect you with a trip that's sure to satisfy even the most descriminating thrillseeker.