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 Owens Mayhew, registered dietician and founder of Backcountry Foodie, to give us a brief introduction to p ..read more

“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, Shenandoah National Park What is it about waterfalls that draw us in? Perhaps it’s the mesmerizing sig ..read more

“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 Solo The 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 intimidating. Alison Wata, backpacking guide and owner of Exploration Solo, addresses the most c ..read more

Hi Friends, Just popping on to let you know that there won’t be a new episode of Virginia Outdoor Adventures this week. I’m on a 16-day, action-packed road trip across the Commonwealth where I’ll be touring new state parks, attending festivals, exploring Wildlife Management Areas, meeting new podcast guests, scouting local dining and lodging options, collaborating with park advocates, and even giving a keynote address at a tourism conference. And, of course, I’ll be hiking, biking, camping, and even caving around Virginia.  If you want to follow my adventures and get a peek at behind-the ..read more

“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 Resources Imagine taking a peek at aquatic life below the surface of the James River or watching Peregrine Falcons hatch atop a Richmond skyscraper. The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources’ live-streaming cameras o ..read more

“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 Society When was the last time you looked up at the night sky? There are few experiences quite like stargazing that can help us realize our place in the vast and brilliant universe. Virginia is home to five officially designated da ..read more

“I think there's a silver lining to the pandemic a little bit in that a lot of people have really turned to their outside resources… So it brought people outdoors and brought people closer to nature. And I hope that people will continue to journey outside and into state parks.” -Kindra McDonald, Virginia Service and Conservation Corps Kindra McDonald immersed herself in the outdoors during a turbulent time in her life. Her journey visiting every Virginia State Park led to a turning point in her career and a new outlook on the future. Kindra shares her experience as an AmeriCorps member and di ..read more

“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 Hanzack, Chapel Hill Astronomical and Observational Society When was the last time you looked up at the night sky? There are few experiences quite like stargazing that can help us realize our place in the vast and brilliant universe. Virginia is home to five officially designated d ..read more

From the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Chesapeake Bay, Virginia is a mecca for outdoor travel and adventure. Virginia Outdoor Adventures Podcast brings listeners stories and recommendations from leaders and influencers across the Virginia outdoor community. Get the information and the inspiration to plan your own adventure, right here in Virginia. I’m your host, Jessica Bowser.  There’s so much in Virginia to explore and do. Whether you’re hiking a mountain, ordering a local brew, paddling down a river, or curling up with a good book next to a roaring fire. Join me as guests discuss destina ..read more

“When the whales come up for a breath, they're not out at the surface very long, and you're intently searching for it. Then suddenly, there it is! I don't think it is possible to not get excited, especially the first time when you see a whale surface.” – Mike Mizell, Virginia Aquarium Imagine the largest mammals on earth just mere miles from the most populated city in Virginia. Acrobatic humpback whales, enormous fin whales, endangered right whales, and playful bottlenose dolphins all spend the winter just offshore from Virginia Beach. Mike Mizell, Boat Programs Specialist at the Virginia Aqua ..read more