“There’s a unifying nature to Virginia's natural beauty. We live in a divided time politically, but whether someone is Democrat, Republican, Independent, or could care less about politics, 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 surrounding ..read more

“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 Park The mountains of Virginia’s Appalachian Plateau echo with a sound not heard in over a century - the bugle of bull elk. In this episode, Jackie Rosenberger, Elk Project Leader for ..read more

“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 dynamic conversation, one can't help but feel the town's heartbeat through its myriad of outdoor adventu ..read more

“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 that some of 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 National Forests   Embark on an intimate trek through Virginia's Appalachian Mountains w ..read more

“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 Ashes When darkness looms, is it possible for nature's light to guide us back? Kevin Conley, author and wildland firefighter, joins us to answer just that. In an episode that's as ..read more

“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, owner of Clinch Life Outfitters, unravels the hidden gems of this charming town.     Whether y ..read more

“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 stunning scenery are often what motivates hikers to lace up their boots and head for the top.  ..read more

Today I have a special episode I am sharing with you from another fantastic podcast that I think you’ll enjoy.   Julie “Jester” Gayheart is the host of “Jester” Section Hiker, the Premier Podcast With The Spotlight On Section Hikers! If you’re a regular listener of Virginia Outdoor Adventures, then you already know from Episode 43, Virginia’s Lost Appalachian Trail, that less than one half of one percent of hikers on the AT are thru-hikers. Instead, most trail users are day hikers or section hikers. The focus of Julie’s podcast is on section hikers, meaning those hikers who are tackling l ..read more

What's new with VAOA Podcast?  Season 4 Coming Soon!Receive a gift from River Rock Outfitter - Complete the Listener Survey. Receive special offers, discounts, and updates - Sign up for the email newsletter. Get your adventure featured in the email newsletter! Email: Jessica@virginiaoutdooradventures.com Come see me at the State Fair of Virginia this weekend! Look for the Virginia State Parks tent. Many thanks to River Rock Outfitter for supporting the show and providing gifts to everyone who completes the Listener Survey. Support the show Follow VAOA Podcast: Website I Instagram I Faceb ..read more

“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 VCU Get ready to ride the waves as we explore surfing, boogie boarding, and body surfing with ocean enthusiast, Drew White, from the Coastal Plant Ecology Lab at Virginia Commonwealth University. Drew shares his insights on Virginia's best surfing lo ..read more