Virginia Outdoor Adventures: Hiking, Camping, Kayaking, Local Travel and more!

“You can climb a route to the top and get this incredible view of the gorge. There’s a feeling of grandeur and wilderness, even though you're extremely close to all the amenities in the park. That's one of the things that makes it a unique place. At one point it feels easy and accessible, and on the other hand, still really wild and out in nature and adventurous.”  -Brad Mathisen, Central Appalachia Climbers Coalition

Tucked away in a remote corner of Southwest Virginia on the Kentucky border, lies a canyon with towering sandstone cliffs like layers of a tiered cake, natural geologic formations that make this area a climber’s paradise. Kyle King and Brad Mathisen, President and Past President of the Central Appalachia Climbers Coalition, describe the effort undertaken in recent years to offer world-class outdoor recreation at Breaks Interstate Park. Kyle and Brad share the range of beginner and kid-friendly to advanced rock-climbing opportunities at Breaks, as well as their advice for first-time climbers. The collaborative partnership between climbers and Breaks Park is playing a role in revitalizing towns and stimulating economic growth, transforming Central Appalachia into a nationally recognized ecotourism destination. Let’s Go!

Follow VAOA Podcast:
Website I Facebook I Instagram I Twitter

Support the show: Buy Me A Coffee

VAOA Podcast is Sponsored by:

• Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources I Shop DWR
• Visit Mecklenburg
• Breaks Interstate Park

Advertisers:

• Wild Buchanan
• Polaris Adventures
• Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine

Mentioned in this Episode:
*Support the Show with a Membership and Receive the Full List of Show Notes Links

Connect with Brad and Kyle: Facebook I Instagram I Email: [email protected]

Breaks Interstate Park

Guide Book: Breaks Interstate Park Rock Climbs by Bradly Mathisen

Central Appalachia Climbers Coalition

Access Fund

Mountain Sports Limited, Bristol

Spearhead Trails

Hidden Valley

Grayson Highlands Bouldering Guidebook

Gravelachia Bike Race in Norton

Sugar Hill Cidery

Fan Mail - Send Jessica a Text Message

Contact Show Host, Jessica Bowser:

[email protected]

“Every time I go paddling, I am completely mesmerized. To be on the beach or in the marsh and not hear or see a single sign of human life, it's just this wow factor that I can't get over.” - Laura Scharle, Virginia Water Trails

Where can you experience blue crabs foraging in saltwater marshes, turtles basking in quiet creeks, long-legged wading birds stalking in tall grasses, an historic lighthouse on an isolated island, dolphins leaping between the waves, or watermen bringing in the catch of the day? All of this can be found on Virginia Water Trails. Laura Scharle, a certified ecotour guide, describes the paddling opportunities in Virginia’s coastal region. Laura recommends her favorite trails for both beginners and advanced paddlers, as well as how to plan your next getaway complete with lodging, shopping, dining and local festivals. Let’s Go!

Follow VAOA Podcast:
Website I Facebook I Instagram I Twitter

Support the show: Buy Me A Coffee

VAOA Podcast is Sponsored by:

• Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources I Shop DWR
• Visit Mecklenburg
• Breaks Interstate Park

Mentioned in this Episode:
*Support the Show with a Membership and Receive the Full List of Show Notes Links

Connect with Laura Scharle: Website I Instagram I Blog

Delmarva Trails and Waterways: Facebook I Instagram

Virginia Water Trails: Website I Instagram I Facebook 

Urbanna Oyster Festival

Chincoteague Seafood Festival

Explore Our Seaside, Virginia Eastern Shore

Minokin Foundation

Stratford Hall

George Washinton Birthplace

Montross Brewery & Air B&B

Rogue Oyster Farm

Matthews County Tourism

New Point Comfort Lighthouse

Virginia DWR Boat Launches

Laura’s Astral life jacket

Jessica’s Stohlquist life vest

Mockhorn Island kayak camping 

Fan Mail - Send Jessica a Text Message

Contact Show Host, Jessica Bowser:

[email protected]

“We want our kids to get outside and revel in nature. To get kids to put down the devices, we need to offer them something truly amazing. In Virginia, we can.” -Erin Gifford, Go Hike Virginia

Are you dreaming of the perfect hike that will make everyone in your family happy? Erin Gifford is the founder of GoHikeVirginia.com, a site where hikers can find detailed information about trails across the commonwealth. Erin has been writing about travel and the outdoors for more than a decade. Her latest book, Hiking with Kids Virginia: 52 Great Hikes for Families, provides all the info you need to plan a winning day hike. Whether you’re hiking with kids or just looking for an interesting, but less challenging, hike for adults, Erin’s book is the resource you need to keep everyone happy in the great outdoors. Let’s Go!

Follow VAOA Podcast:
Website I Facebook I Instagram I Twitter

Support the show: Buy Me A Coffee

VAOA Podcast is Sponsored by:

• Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources I Shop DWR
• Visit Mecklenburg
• Breaks Interstate Park

Advertisers:

Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine
Freckled Farm Soap Company - Use Promo Code "VAOA" for 10% off

Mentioned in this Episode:
*Support the Show with a Membership and Receive the Full List of Show Notes Links

Buy the Book: Hiking with Kids Virginia: 52 Great Hikes for Families

Connect with Erin Gifford: Go Hike Virginia I Instagram I Facebook

The Channels Hike

Bald Cypress Trail Hike

Compton Peak Hike in SNP

Limber Lost Trail Hike in SNP

Shenandoah National Park

First Landing State Park

Manassas National Battlefield Park

Breaks Interstate Park

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

Wilderness Road State Park

Roanoke Star

Smith Mountain Lake State Park

Fan Mail - Send Jessica a Text Message

Contact Show Host, Jessica Bowser:

[email protected]

“When the pandemic happened, I did what I have always wanted to do… I got my dog, Sancho, and then I set my Instagram page to ‘public.’ I love traveling and sharing my travel experiences, and I love the feeling that I get when I'm outside exploring. I want people to experience what it is like to travel to beautiful places in Virginia.”  -Sunshine Solimen, @withsunshinesol
 
Sunshine Solimen is one of the most popular online influencers in the Virginia outdoor community. Her gorgeous photos and videos of her explorations around Virginia with her Goldendoodle, Sancho, have inspired thousands of people to hit the trails close to home. Sunshine shares how she creates viral content, how to prepare for dog-friendly adventures, and details about her favorite hikes in Virginia. Let’s Go!
 
Follow VAOA Podcast:
Website I Facebook I Instagram I Twitter

Support the show: Buy Me A Coffee
 
VAOA Podcast is Sponsored by:

• Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources
• Visit Mecklenburg
• Breaks Interstate Park

Advertisers:
Visit Harrisonburg
Freckled Farm Soap Company - Use Promo Code "VAOA" for 10% off
 
 Mentioned in this Episode:
*Support the Show with a Membership and Receive the Full List of Show Notes Links
 
Connect with Sunshine:

Instagram I TikTok I Blog I Facebook

Sunshine’s Gear

The Ten Essentials of Hiking

The 7 Principles of Leave No Trace

All Trails

Sky Meadows State Park

Sancho’s Dog Hiking Gear

Sancho on Instagram

Sharp Top

Peaks of Otter, Blue Ridge Parkway

Cole Mountain

Old Rag, Shenandoah National Park

Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge

“The James River is where American history began...Skyline Drive, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the Appalachian Trail are all such quintessential Virginia journeys. They were built to give hard-working, everyday people a place to go and get in touch with the grandeur of nature.” -Senator Tim Kaine

Perhaps you’ve heard of the Colorado Fourteeners Challenge or New York’s Adirondack 46er Challenge. Could Virginia have a similar outdoor quest? US Senator Tim Kaine believes we should. An avid outdoorsman, Senator Kaine spent three years hiking, cycling, and paddling over 1,200 miles on a journey he calls the “Virginia Nature Triathlon.” His adventure included hiking the Virginia portion of the Appalachian Trail, cycling the Blue Ridge Parkway and adjacent Skyline Drive, and paddling the James River, from the mountains to the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. Senator Kaine shares the motivation behind his journey, what he learned about Virginia and about himself along the way, and why he believes Virginians are blessed with an abundance of public lands and natural beauty. Let’s go!

Follow VAOA Podcast:
Website I Facebook I Instagram I Twitter

VAOA Podcast is Sponsored by:

• Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources
• Visit Mecklenburg
• Breaks Interstate Park

Advertisers:

Visit Harrisonburg
Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine

Mentioned in this Episode: *Support the Show with a Membership and Receive the Full List of Show Notes Links

Article, “Why Tim Kaine Created the Virginia Nature Triathlon”

Big Meadows Lodge, Shenandoah National Park

Cycling the Blue Ridge Parkway

Skyline Drive

Appalachian Trail

James River Association

Virginia White Water by Roger Corbett

Guides to James, New, Shenandoah Rivers by Bruce Ingram

DWR boat launches

Fall Line Trail 

Virginia Creeper Trail

Virginia Capital Trail

Twin Rivers Outfitters

Great Dismal Swamp kayaking and camping

Guthook (FarOut Guides) App for hikers

Jet Boil Camp Stove

Fan Mail - Send Jessica a Text Message

Contact Show Host, Jessica Bowser:

[email protected]

“The trail can get you from one hidden gem to another, highlighting the best of what the city has to offer, and that is what I think is so special about it. We are creating a world class asset that is a source of local pride. We are embracing what makes us unique here in Norfolk.” -Kindra McDonald Greene, Elizabeth River Trail Foundation

Scenic views, historic sites, museums, restaurants, breweries, and cafes are just a few of the many attractions to explore on Norfolk’s Elizabeth River Trail. Kindra McDonald Greene, Executive Director of the Elizabeth River Trail, shares the highlights of the 10.5-mile multi-use trail located on Norfolk’s iconic waterfront. Following the Elizabeth River, this trail connects 28 neighborhoods and provides trail users with access to downtown’s most popular destinations, including the Battleship Wisconsin, Nauticus, Hermitage Museum and Gardens, and the 19th century Fort Norfolk. Whether you’re looking for a long-distance ride or a leisurely stroll while watching the ships sail in, the Elizabeth River Trail has something for everyone. Kindra shares future plans for the Elizabeth River Trail to become the first glow-in-the-dark illuminated path on the East Coast. Let’s Go!

Follow VAOA Podcast:
Website I Facebook I Instagram I Twitter

VAOA Podcast is Sponsored by:

• Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources
• Visit Mecklenburg

*Support the Show with a Membership and Receive the Full List of Show Notes Links
Mentioned in this Episode:
Connect with Kindra and ERT:
Website I Facebook I Instagram I Twitter
Kindra McDonald Greene
Support the Elizabeth River Trail
ERT Interactive Trail Map
Upcoming Events Calendar and Elizabeth River Run 10K
Virginia Service and Conservation Corps
Nauticus Museum and the Battleship USS Wisconsin
American Rover Sailing Cruises
Hermitage Museum
Pedego Electric Bike Rentals
Virginia Cheese Company
Cure Coffee House
Benchtop Brewing
Smartmouth Brewing
Chelsea Bake House
Harbor Park, Norfolk Tides Baseball Team
Norfolk Tour Company
Celebrate Trails Day – National Rails to Trails Conservancy Day

Fan Mail - Send Jessica a Text Message

Contact Show Host, Jessica Bowser:

[email protected]

“‘Good Fire’ is a tool that allows us to preserve the beautiful and pristine landscapes we have in Virginia so we can continue to enjoy the outdoors, wildlife, and connecting to nature, now and for the next generation.” -Sam Lopez, Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources

Have you ever taken a stroll through a wildflower meadow with explosive colors, buzzing, and bird song? Or have you ever hiked through the understory of a forest looking for wildlife or connecting with nature? You may have been enjoying the benefits of prescribed fire, a tool used to conserve and protect our landscapes. Sam Lopez, Wildlife Area Manager and member of the Burn Crew with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, explains how “Good Fire” is used to Restore the Wild. Sam answers your burning questions about the history, techniques, and results of “Good Fire.” And If you’re looking for the best locations to spot wildlife and enjoy the great outdoors, Sam has recommendations for Wildlife Management Areas across Virginia. Let’s Go!

Follow VAOA Podcast:
Website I Facebook I Instagram I Twitter

Support the Show with a Membership and Receive the Full List of Show Notes Links

VAOA Podcast is Sponsored by:

• Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, Shop DWR
• Visit Mecklenburg

Mentioned in this Episode:

Email Sam Lopez [email protected]

How DWR uses “Good Fire” to Restore the Wild (video)

Restore the Wild Membership

Beyond the Bonfire: A Primer on Prescribed Fire for Virginia’s Private Landowners

“Our Papis Burned the Woods”

Wildlife Management Areas, Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources

Goshen Wildlife Management Area, The Meadow Grounds

Highland Wildlife Management Area

Big Woods Wildlife Management Area

Short Hills Wildlife Management Area

Piney Grove Natural Area Preserve (Red-cockaded Woodpecker)

Big Meadows, Shenandoah National Park

Certified Burn Managers Program, Virginia Department of Forestry

Virginia Service and Conservation Corps-AmeriCorps

Wildland and Prescribed Fire, Virginia Department of Forestry

Fan Mail - Send Jessica a Text Message

Contact Show Host, Jessica Bowser:

[email protected]

“My dream is to build a more inclusive outdoor community. I want to inspire other people of color to get out there and explore.”  - James Gregory, The Ethnic Explorer

Diversifying the face of the outdoors…that’s the motivation behind the creative work of outdoor influencer, James Gregory, also known as The Ethnic Explorer. James is an avid outdoorsman and is most often found hiking the forests of Charlotte County, backpacking in the Blue Ridge Mountains, or paddleboarding on Kerr Lake, known to locals as Buggs Island Lake, in Mecklenburg County. James recommends some of his favorite trails and parks, as well as tips for beginner paddleboarders. He also shares his journey outfitting a Chevy Astro for van life on a budget. James strives to build a more inclusive outdoor community and inspire everyone to experience the outdoors. Let’s Go!

Follow VAOA Podcast:
Website I Facebook I Instagram I Twitter

Support the show: Buy Me A Coffee

VAOA Podcast is Sponsored by: 

• Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, Shop DWR
• Visit Mecklenburg

Enter "VIRGINIA10" at checkout for 10% off at Appalachian Gear Company

********************
Submit your questions about Prescribed Fire by emailing [email protected], or on the website, Facebook, or Instagram.
********************
Mentioned in this Episode:

Connect with James Gregory, The Ethnic Explorer Instagram I YouTube

John H. Kerr Reservoir/Kerr Lake/Buggs Island Lake

Occoneechee State Park

Staunton River State Park

Staunton River Battlefield State Park

Charlotte State Forest

DAMA Inflatable Stand Up Paddleboard 

Staunton River/Roanoke River

Hogan Creek Wildlife Management Area

Guide to Virginia Animals Bundle

Grayson Highlands State

Sand Cave, Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

Fan Mail - Send Jessica a Text Message

Contact Show Host, Jessica Bowser:

[email protected]

“If you love a state park, it pays to speak out and support it. It's going to take all of us to make sure that our elected representatives hear how important state parks are to us, and how we want to make sure that they continue to be accessible for future generations. Everyone coming together can make a difference.”  - Tim Kennell, Virginia Association for Parks

Virginia State Parks represent the best of Virginia’s natural diversity while providing amenities, programs, and activities for millions of visitors. With 41 parks across the Commonwealth offering 500 miles of trails, campsites, cabins, boat launches, beaches, picnic shelters, concerts, nature programs, and cultural events…there's something for everyone at a Virginia State Park. Tim Kennell, President of the Virginia Association for Parks, highlights some of the lesser-known attractions to help you plan an unforgettable adventure. Tim also discusses an opportunity for all of us to protect our recreational and natural resources. YOUR voice can determine the future of our state parks. Let’s Go!

Follow VAOA Podcast:
Website I Facebook I Instagram I Twitter

Support the show: Buy Me A Coffee

VAOA Podcast is Sponsored by: Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources
Shop DWR

Enter "VIRGINIA10" at checkout for 10% off at Appalachian Gear Company

Mentioned in this Episode:

Contact Tim Kennell: [email protected]
*Register for the VAFP Advocacy Workshop on Feb 3 at 6:30 p.m.
Support Senate Bill 545
Virginia Association for Parks

Virginia State Parks
Be a Campground Host
Friends Groups
Trail Quest
Reserve a Campsite, Yurt, or Cabin
International Dark Sky Parks
Virginia Master Naturalists
Virginia Forever
National Association of State Park Foundations

Find a Virginia State Park
Virginia State Parks Mentioned in this Episode:
Bear Creek Lake
Twin Lakes
High Bridge Trail
Holliday Lake
James River
Pocahontas
Powhatan
Sailor’s Creek Battlefield
Mason Neck State Park
Occoneechee
Hungry Mother
Lake Anna
Natural Tunnel
Wilderness Road
False Cape
Machicomoco
New River Trail

Fan Mail - Send Jessica a Text Message

Contact Show Host, Jessica Bowser:

[email protected]

“The actual day-to-day maintenance of the trail is almost 100% done by volunteers. We need to take good care of it for ourselves and for future generations.”  - Diana Christopulos, Roanoke Appalachian Trail Club

Often referred to as “one of the most spectacular hikes in the US,” McAfee Knob attracts hikers from across the world and is one of the most photographed spots on the entire Appalachian Trail. Former Roanoke Appalachian Trail Club President, Diana Christopulos, shares everything you need to know before hitting the trail in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, including where to gear up, what to do while you’re in town, and where to find the best local brew at the end of the day. Diana also gives us insight into what it takes to maintain and preserve a trail that receives 70,000 visitors a year. Let’s Go!

Follow VAOA Podcast:
Website I Facebook I Instagram I Twitter

VAOA Podcast is Sponsored by: Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources
Shop DWR

Enter "VIRGINIA10" at checkout for 10% off at Appalachian Gear Company

Links:
Roanoke Appalachian Trail Club Website I Facebook I Meetup I Store I Specialty License Plate
Diana’s Blog

Virginia’s Triple Crown
McAfee Knob Hike
Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine
Blue Ridge Marathon
Cox Conserves
Blue Ridge Land Conservancy
Roanoke Outside
Olde Salem Brewing Company
Parkway Brewery
Roanoke Brew Pubs
Roanoke Wineries
Walkabout Outfitters
Hotel Roanoke

Fan Mail - Send Jessica a Text Message

Contact Show Host, Jessica Bowser:

[email protected]