daily304 - Episode 10.08.2023

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.  

Today is Sunday, Oct. 8 

Headed into the great outdoors? Learn how you can stay safe…Gauley Season may experience its biggest season yet, officials predict…and learn what puts the “wonderful” in Wild, Wonderful West Virginia…on today’s daily304.

#1 – From WVDNR – The cooler temperatures and colorful foliage of fall brings outdoor lovers to the woods. Whether your passion lies in hunting, hiking, fishing, paddling or camping, it is crucial to keep safety as the top priority when prepping for your trip.

That’s why the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources’ Law Enforcement Section and the West Virginia Department of Homeland Security are teaming up to give outdoorsmen and women advice on what they need to do in preparation for their outdoor excursion and what they should do if they become lost on their adventure.

If you get lost, stay calm and stay put, and signal for help. Always tell someone your planned route and estimated return time. Carry essential supplies. 

Learn more outdoor safety tips at wvdnr.gov.

Read more:

https://wvdnr.gov/survival-skills-ten-things-to-do-when-lost-in-the-woods/

#2 – From WV PUBCAST –  As summer winds down, tens of thousands of whitewater rafters and kayakers from all over the country begin their migration to West Virginia. They are here for the Gauley River — which normally only has navigable flows during the fall. 

The fall recreational flows are part of a planned effort of water releases in the fall to draw down Summersville Lake and support whitewater rafting and kayaking. 

The colors on the hills change from a bright green in the beginning of the season to vibrant yellows, reds and oranges in the late season. The landscape is interrupted by the bright primary-colored boats, tutus, sequined shirts and glittered faces, all headed downstream from where the river begins at Summersville Dam. 

“A lot of different colors, a lot of plastic on the water, a lot of smiling faces, a lot of glitter, a lot of lipstick,” says Matt McQueen, a park ranger with the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve.  “There’s definitely a whole culture involved in the whitewater industry that is kind of unique, for sure.” 

The Gauley River usually gets 20,000 to 30,000 visitors each season. Rangers are predicting that the numbers this year could be their highest yet.

Gauley season runs through Oct. 22, so there’s still time yet to book your whitewater trip to experience the Beast of the East.

Read more:

https://wvpublic.org/the-transient-loud-sparkly-and-rowdy-culture-of-fall-boating-in-w-va/

#3 – From THE DAILY304 – You can find out all of the amazing places to go ​and interesting people to meet each week listening to the daily304’s “What Makes You Wonderful” podcast. We uncover wonders that make West Virginia truly ​ext​raordinary. 

Host Tiffney Lopez connects with other local leaders and experts to share fun events, take you to uniqu​e places to visit, and venture down literary roads of local reads. Tune in to “What Makes You Wonderful” and let the magic of the Mountain State inspire you!

Listen now:

https://www.wv.gov/daily304/wmyw/Pages/default.aspx

Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304.

The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo. 

That’s all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.