Have you ever longed to do German-style Extreme Ironing on Mayan temples in the jungle of Guatemala? Or -- possibly even more of a challenge-- to try your hand at Underwater Ironing?

While many of us could trade a few stories about Extreme Diapering, it's unlikely we could compete with "ironing legend" IronLung on the top of the temple. Head to the Extreme Ironing Bureau to see photos of his triumphs, and to delve into this new extreme sport: "The latest danger sport that combines the thrills of an extreme outdoor activity with the satisfaction of a well pressed shirt."

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Extreme Ironing

How the heck did this get started? According to wikipedia.com, the sport was born in Leicester, East Midlands, England in 1999, when resident Phil Shaw came home from work at a knitwear factory, wanted to go rock-climbing, and (--the Wiki is a bit vague on this part--) decided to combine the rock-climbing with ironing.

Soon Mr. Show-- now known by his EI nickname "Steam"-- embarked on an international tour; the 1st Extreme Ironing World Championships were held in Munich in 2002; and the rest is history.

I'm not sure about the implications for Travel With Kids: I think many parents already go to extreme lengths caring for babies and toddlers in unusual places; some might even argue that Travel With Kids is an Extreme Sport. And heaven help us if we're expected to iron clothes while we do it.

But I do admire the supreme sense of zaniness, not to mention the moxie it takes to, say, do a bit of ironing on top of the lion in Trafalgar Square. (Photo at the Extreme Ironing Bureau.}