“Our goal for Wandering Waters is to get people out and exploring our parks, either on a stand up paddle board, a kayak, or a canoe and seeing our parks from a different perspective. You can go to a park like Hungry Mother and hike up to the top of Molly's Knob and get that giant panoramic scenic view. But then you can come back down and either rent a boat or bring your own and get out on the water and see that park from a whole different view.” -Sammy Zambon, Virginia State ParksThe wanderin...
“For us to get to Grey’s Point campground, we had to pass through Urbanna. So one day I made a left just to explore and I was like, 'Wow! It’s so beautiful!' The boats and the waterfront, dining and nice houses. It’s this vibe that you just have to experience for yourself.” – Rivah Sistah Patricia ClementWelcome to the charming port town of Urbanna, in the heart of Virginia’s river realm. Step aboard as we navigate Urbanna’s river lifestyle with Rivah Sistah Patricia Clement. ...
"Everybody has a favorite place in Virginia like a trail, a sunset, a beach, a lake, or a river. Everyone has a place that's special to them and everyone is invested in trying to make sure that it's there for their kids and their grandkids. And that's such a unifier. When you're on the trail with people, you're not talking about politics, you're talking about the joy that you're taking in from the surroundings and that is so powerful. That is something about Virginia and Virginians - the unif...
“Sarah and I want folks to gain some confidence recreating in the outdoors, especially in our Virginia State Parks, and gain some knowledge on how to recreate safely. That's our big two takeaways. Making sure folks can leave our programs feeling confident enough to do it on their own or tag along with their friends and try to share those experiences and make some memories.” – Diego Riffle, Virginia State ParksHave you ever longed to conquer the great outdoors but felt a need to brush up on ou...
“For almost 200 years we didn't have this native animal. It was because of volunteers and people like Jackie with Virginia DWR and their combined efforts with Breaks Park who worked together to restore the area that elk have returned. Visitors are amazed at how big and how majestic the animal is. It's like an entire rainbow of emotions - excitement, joy, I've even had people cry.” – Avery Rose, Breaks Interstate ParkThe mountains of Virginia’s Appalachian Plateau echo with a sound not heard i...
“As part of the change in economy, we reforested the eastern part of the United States. We have a lot of forests now that are about 100 years old. As the trees came back, the deer came back, as the deer came back, the ticks came with them. And then the pathogens, of course, come along for the ride as well. I think about it from an ecology perspective, that what we did not bring back was also those top predators. So we end up with this ecology of weedy species, like deer, that do replication r...
“There's a real excitement about Farmville, a steady progression, where we sit on this cusp of what we all think is an opportunistic moment for Farmville to shine. It's a great place to live, work, and recreate. That is our new tag for the town and I think it fits us well.” – Mayor Brian Vincent Welcome to Farmville in the heart of central Virginia. Our guest, Mayor Brian Vincent, takes us on a journey through Farmville, where college town vibe meets small town charm. From our dynam...
“I couldn't be more proud. My staff and I have a lot of pride in taking care of these areas and this landscape, because there are so many things to love and there is so much uniqueness. But part of management is balancing the use these areas receive and trying to figure out ways to work with the public, or work with the partners, or work with a volunteer group to help support the sustainability of these areas over the long term.” -Ranger Beth Christensen, George Washington & Jefferson Nat...
“The best way to describe how I got into this journey is that in the past, I've hiked the Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail, and I've done bike tours from Mexico to Canada, and those journeys always gave me faith and they renewed my spirit, and they breathed new life into me. Those challenges always put me in a very positive and happy place.” - Kevin Conley, Wildland Firefighter and Author of Above the AshesWhen darkness looms, is it possible for nature's light to guide us back? K...
“My husband and I traveled out west and saw wonderful, amazing sights. My favorite thing was coming back into Southwest Virginia, seeing our mountains and knowing that I was home. It was so beautiful. There's nothing like it being here in the coalfields and the small towns. You know, it's gorgeous out there. But being back here, it's a comfort. I just love it.” – Maddie Gordon, Clinch Life Outfitters Welcome to the Town of St. Paul in the heart of Appalachia. Our guest, Maddie Gordon, ow...
“One of my favorite things about Virginia summits is I love going up there and being able to stare out, getting lost in the views. Virginia has so many beautiful views - Appalachian Mountain, Shenandoah Mountains, Blue Ridge Mountains - we've got them all and being able to look out at the mountains, out at the farmlands, it's just amazing.” – Erin Gifford, Go Hike Virginia Every hiker knows the thrill and sense of accomplishment that comes with reaching a mountain’s peak. Epic views and ...
“The James River runs 340 miles through the heart of Virginia, from the Blue Ridge all the way to the beautiful Chesapeake Bay. The river’s watershed is roughly 10,000 square miles and it supplies drinking water for 2.7 million people. It also provides opportunities to relax, adventure, and enjoy the great outdoors.” – Charles Johnson, James River AssociationRich in history and culture, the mighty James meanders over 340 miles through verdant forests, picturesque valleys, and rushing rapids f...
“I've taken a boogie board out in just the tiniest little waves breaking right on the shore and had a blast. I've taken a surfboard out in waves that were almost as tall as I was and had a blast. There’s such a variety of waves that anybody at most any skill level can have a good time in Virginia.” - Drew White, Coastal Plant Ecology Lab at VCUGet ready to ride the waves as we explore surfing, boogie boarding, and body surfing with ocean enthusiast, Drew White, from the Coastal Plant Ec...
“Once those tires hit the dirt, it's a completely different experience. It's about getting out and having a great adventure, freeing your mind, freeing your soul, and reconnecting with nature.” - Shawn Van Der Poel, Terra OverlandImagine yourself behind the wheel of a fully equipped Jeep Wrangler Rubicon designed to conquer any terrain, traversing the majestic George Washington National Forest, as you embark on an unforgettable expedition. Virginia has an extensive network of overlanding trai...
Following Episode 44, Beginner Backpacking with Alison Wata of Exploration Solo, I received a lot of requests for additional information about trail food and meal prep. So this week I decided to share a Bonus Episode from the past about how to pack food for outdoor adventures. Virginia Outdoor Adventures has quadrupled since last summer when this Bonus Episode first aired, so if you’re a new listener since then, you may have missed this information-packed conversation. I asked Aaron Owen...
“I love everything about waterfalls. I love their energy. I love the sound they make in the otherwise quiet woods. I love the mist that forms at the base of the falls. If sunlight hits it just right, you can see a rainbow in the air. They're just plain pretty and photogenic. It's not a living creature, and yet it's animated. I think of it as an animated force in nature that always has life-like qualities even though it's not alive. And I just love that about waterfalls.” - Ranger Kevin Moses,...
“Teaching others how to backpack takes being confident in your own skills, knowing what you can handle, and a desire to help other people love the outdoors.” -Alison Wata, Exploration SoloThe experience of a backcountry trip immerses us in nature in a way that a day hike just can’t match. Backpacking can build confidence, provide a true sense of independence, and foster a love of the great outdoors. But maybe the idea of packing up and heading into the wilderness is overwhelming or even...
“The Appalachian Trail is thought of as a trail for thru hikers but it's just not true. Three to four million people will hike on the Appalachian Trail this year. A couple thousand of those will be thru hikers. They're less than one half of one percent. Thru hiking 2,198 miles is an amazing accomplishment and so they kind of suck up all the media attention. The real story of the trail is not the story of the thru hikers, it’s the story of the person who does a five-mile loop hike on a Saturda...
“You get this intimate view of something that you don't get to see too often, and you kind of get to know the birds and what to expect from them. You get sucked in. It's like nature documentaries and I think it has the same appeal. You get that here in downtown Richmond, which is probably the last place people expect to see it.” - Meagan Thomas, Virginia Department of Wildlife ResourcesImagine taking a peek at aquatic life below the surface of the James River or watching Peregrine Falcons hat...
“As I stared at the cloud, I realized it wasn’t really a cloud. Those were all stars. It was very humbling for a 12-year-old to be looking up at the Milky Way. It really set me back on my feet to realize how small I was on this planet, and how little our planet was compared to all those stars up in the sky.” - Jayme Hanzak, Chapel Hill Astronomical and Observational SocietyWhen was the last time you looked up at the night sky? There are few experiences quite like stargazing that can help us r...