>> male announcer: WELCOME TO TRAVELSCOPE, WITH JOSEPH ROSENDO, WHERE EACH WEEK YOU JOIN US AS WE ACCEPT THE WORLD'S INVITATION TO VISIT.

>> Rosendo: TODAY ON TRAVELSCOPE, I HEAD DOWN THE MANY ROADS TO ADVENTURE IN WEST VIRGINIA'S NEW RIVER GORGE COUNTRY.

>> announcer: TRAVELSCOPE IS MADE POSSIBLE BY DK EYEWITNESS TRAVEL GUIDES.

DK'S CITY AND COUNTRY GUIDES FEATURE EVOCATIVE PHOTOS, HOTEL AND DINING CHOICES, GUIDED WALKS, AND TRAVEL ITINERARIES.

DK EYEWITNESS TRAVEL GUIDES: >> Rosendo: JUST HANGING OUT IN WEST VIRGINIA, LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO DO.

[lively bluegrass music] ♪ ♪ WELCOME TO TRAVELSCOPE.

I'M HERE AT THE NEW RIVER GORGE NATIONAL RECREATIONAL AREA IN WEST VIRGINIA.

YOU KNOW, I'VE BEEN TRAVELING FOR 40 YEARS, BUT THE FIRST PLACE I EVER TRAVELED TO OUTSIDE OF MY HOME STATE OF FLORIDA WAS TO WEST VIRGINIA WITH MY BEST FRIEND AND HIS FAMILY.

I REMEMBER IT AS A GREEN STATE, AND THE PEOPLE WERE AS WARM AS YOU COULD IMAGINE.

REALLY OPENED MY EYES TO THE WAY LIFE CAN BE.

AND IT'S A THRILL, A REAL THRILL, TO BE BACK HOME IN THE PLACE WHERE I FIRST STARTED HAVING THE TRAVEL EXPERIENCE.

>> ♪ NEW RIVER, OLD RIVER ♪ ♪ THEY WERE PUZZLED ♪ ♪ WHEN THEY FOUND YOU ♪ ♪ SUNSET SIDE OF APPALACHIA ♪ ♪ FLOWING TO THE NORTH ♪ ♪ MISTY EYED ♪ ♪ IN THE MORNING ♪ >> Rosendo: THE LOWER NEW RIVER IS KNOWN AS THE GORGE AND OFFERS A RIVER-RUNNING EXPERIENCE THAT APPEALS TO THE CASUAL RAFTER AND THE THRILL-SEEKING RIVER RAT.

>> ♪ DEEP GREEN RIVER ♪ ♪ WHERE DOES YOUR JOURNEY ♪ ♪ BEGIN?

♪ ♪ WHEN WATER MEETS ROCK ♪ ♪ WATER WINS ♪ ♪ I GUESS I'LL DRIFT ON AROUND ♪ ♪ ANOTHER BEND ♪ ♪ MM-HMM-HMM ♪ >> Rosendo: YOU KNOW, WHITEWATER RAFTING EXPERIENCE IN WEST VIRGINIA COULD INVOLVE MANY DIFFERENT RIVERS, AND WE'RE ON THE NEW RIVER HERE, SQUIRREL?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> WHAT'S THE NAME OF THIS RAPID THAT WE'RE ABOUT TO GO ON AFTER OUR LUNCH SPOT HERE?

>> WELL, THIS IS THE THIRD WARM-UP, SO WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF FOUR WARM-UPS, AND THEY LEAD INTO OUR FIRST CLASS-5 RAPID OF THE DAY, KEENEYS CREEK.

>> Rosendo: OKAY, AND THE CLASS GOES UP AS OUR RISK FACTORS GO UP.

>> YEAH, THE DIFFICULTY OF THE RAPID AS IT CHANGES AND THE STRUCTURE WITHIN THE RAPID, THE SIZE OF THE RAPID.

THERE ARE, AGAIN, MULTIPLE VARIABLES THAT CAN CHANGE THE CLASSIFICATION.

>> Rosendo: GENERALLY SPEAKING, WHITEWATER RIVER RAFTING, HOW DANGEROUS IS IT AS AN ACTIVITY FOR PEOPLE?

>> I THINK IT'S A VERY SAFE ACTIVITY.

OBVIOUSLY, WHEN YOU GET OUTSIDE AND YOU'RE DOING SOMETHING, THERE IS RISK.

BUT IT'S NO MORE THAN HOPPING ON A BICYCLE, GOING TO THE SWIMMING POOL.

I MEAN, THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS OUT THERE THAT POSE MORE RISK, LIKE DRIVING TO YOUR DESTINATION IN YOUR CAR.

>> Rosendo: AND THAT'S PROBABLY THE MOST RISKY BIT OF ACTIVITY-- >> I WOULD SAY SO, MUCH MORE THAN THE ACTUAL RAFTING EXPERIENCE ITSELF.

>> Rosendo: LET'S GO GET IT.

>> ALL RIGHTY.

>> Rosendo: AT KEENEYS CREEK, THE LOWER NEW RIVER HEATS UP.

AND THERE'S THE THRILL OF PULLING TOGETHER, TAKING THE RIDE, AND THEN CELEBRATING BY RAISING OUR OARS IN A RIVER HIGH-FIVE.

CAME TO WEST VIRGINIA FOR ADVENTURE, AND HERE WE GO.

GERONIMO!

WHOO-HOO!

ALL RIGHT.

THAT'S A LOT--THAT'S HIGHER THAN I THOUGHT.

OOH, THAT'S COOL.

AND THE WATER IS LOVELY.

[acoustic bluegrass music] ♪ ♪ IT'S A SHORT DRIVE FROM NEW RIVER TO THE TOWN OF FAYETTEVILLE, POPULATION LESS THAN 3,000.

FAYETTEVILLE IS BASE CAMP FOR THE HORDES OF OUTDOOR ENTHUSIASTS THAT FLOCK TO NEW RIVER GORGE COUNTRY.

AND MOST BEGIN THEIR DAY AT THE CATHEDRAL CAFE.

NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE, EVERY COMMUNITY HAS A CONGREGATING PLACE, AND I THINK IT'S INTERESTING THAT WE'RE HERE AT THE CATHEDRAL CAFE, WHICH IS A GOOD PLACE TO CONGREGATE.

YOU HAVE YOUR OWN CONGREGATION HERE.

>> A GREAT PLACE TO CONGREGATE.

>> Rosendo: IS THIS A RIVER CONGREGATION, THAT IS, OF RIVER PEOPLE?

>> IT SEEMS TO BE TODAY, MOSTLY ANYWAY, BUT WE HAVE A GOOD LOCAL FOLLOWING TOO, DEFINITELY.

>> Rosendo: OKAY, AND TALK TO ME ABOUT THE COMMUNITY HERE IN THE RIVER GORGE AREA.

>> THIS TIME OF YEAR, WE HAVE AN INFLUX OF PEOPLE THAT COME IN TO DO THE GAULEY RIVER, WHICH ONLY FLOWS FOR 22 DAYS, SO WE PRACTICALLY DOUBLE OUR POPULATION HERE, AND ESPECIALLY AT THE RESTAURANT, BECAUSE THEY ALL TEND TO END UP HERE, EITHER FINDING SOMEBODY TO GO OUT ON THE RIVER WITH OR TALKING ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED YESTERDAY ON THE RIVER OR WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN TOMORROW, SO... >> Rosendo: SO IT'S A GOOD PLACE TO SHARE YOUR WAR STORIES.

>> YOUR WAR STORIES, YOUR SCARS, THEY CAN COMMISERATE WITH THE WATER LEVELS.

THEY CAN COMMISERATE WITH CUSTOMERS.

>> Rosendo: SO, WENDY, YOU USED TO BE ON THE RIVER ALL THE TIME WHEN YOU WERE A GUIDE, AND NOW YOU'VE GOT SOME RESPONSIBILITIES, SO YOU'RE NOT ABLE TO DO IT AS MUCH.

>> YEAH, I HAD TO GROW UP.

>> Rosendo: YOU DON'T GET OUT THERE--WE ALL HAVE TO GROW UP.

I DON'T KNOW IF I'LL EVER BE ABLE TO DO THAT.

>> I KNOW.

>> Rosendo: BUT WHAT IS IT ABOUT THE RIVER THAT IS MOST SPECIAL TO YOU, THAT YOU JUST SEE THE DIFFERENCE NOW?

>> I'D SAY THAT THE BIGGEST LESSON THAT THE RIVER EVER TAUGHT ME WAS TO LIVE IN THE MOMENT.

WHEN I'M WORKING HERE, YOU KNOW, AND I HAVE THE KIDS AND I HAVE THE RESTAURANT AND EMPLOYEES, YOU KNOW, YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT TOMORROW.

YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT 2:00.

YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT NEXT WEEK, NEXT YEAR, YOU KNOW, YOUR GOALS.

BUT WHEN YOU'RE OUT ON THE RIVER, IF YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT ANYTHING OTHER THAN, YOU KNOW, WHAT YOU'RE DOING RIGHT THEN, THE OUTCOME IS NOT GOOD, YOU KNOW.

YOU HAVE TO FOCUS ON WHAT YOU'RE DOING RIGHT THEN.

AND I THINK I MISS THAT THE MOST, YOU KNOW, THE FOCUS ON RIGHT NOW AND JUST LIVING IN RIGHT NOW AND NOT WORRYING ABOUT ALL THAT OTHER STUFF.

I THINK I REALLY MISS THAT.

AND I THINK THAT THAT'S THE BEST LESSON THAT THE RIVER COULD TEACH ANYBODY.

[acoustic bluegrass music] ♪ ♪ >> Rosendo: HEY, I'M ALL GEARED UP FOR MY NEXT WEST VIRGINIA ADVENTURE.

I'M NOT A PROFESSIONAL MOUNTAIN BIKER, BUT I LOOK LIKE ONE, DON'T I?

HERE IN THE NEW RIVER GORGE AREA, IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT BEING ON THE RIVER.

THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO EXPERIENCE IT.

WE'RE HERE AT THE NEW RIVER BIKE AND TOURING COMPANY.

THEY'RE GONNA TAKE ME OUT ON THE KAYMOOR MINING TRAIL.

AND I'M READY TO TRY IT.

COME ON.

WEST VIRGINIA IS CONSIDERED ONE OF THE TOP MOUNTAIN BIKING DESTINATIONS IN THE COUNTRY.

AND THERE'S NO TELLING WHERE YOUR FAT TIRE WILL CARRY YOU.

THAT WAS A LOVELY RIDE.

YOU KNOW, IN THE 18TH, 19TH, AND WELL INTO THE 20TH CENTURY, THE PEOPLE WHO CAME DOWN THIS TRAIL CAME FOR COAL.

WE'RE AT THE KAYMOOR COAL MINE, A REMNANT OF THE COAL MINING ERA.

COAL MINING'S PRETTY MUCH GONE FROM HERE NOW.

THESE DAYS, IT'S TOURISM THAT SUSTAINS THE NEW RIVER GORGE AREA.

THIS IS THE OPENING, HEY, JEFF?

>> YEP, THIS IS THE OPENING TO THE KAYMOOR NUMBER ONE MINE.

AND IT STARTED IN 1899.

IT RAN TILL THE MID-'50s, AND BY THEN THEY'D MINED AT LEAST FIVE MILES BACK INTO THE CANYONS--OR AWAY FROM THE CANYONS, SO...

THEY ENDED UP CLOSING IT DOWN.

>> Rosendo: I SEE SAFETY IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PRODUCT HERE.

>> SAFETY'S ALWAYS BEEN, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE ISSUES DURING THE--AT LEAST AT THE TURN OF THE CENTURY, THEY STARTED TO FOCUS MORE AND MORE ON SAFETY.

>> Rosendo: NOW, I WAS READING HERE ON THIS PLACARD, OR THIS EXHIBIT, IT SAYS THAT THEY WORKED IN CONDITIONS THAT WERE NO HIGHER THAN THE EXHIBIT ITSELF.

SO WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THEY WERE MINING COAL IN THIS KIND OF A SPACE.

I MEAN, I CAN'T EVEN IMAGINE... >> YEAH, THE SEAM OF COAL HERE WAS THE SEWELL SEAM, AND AT THIS MINE IT WAS ABOUT 36 INCHES OF COAL, SO THEY HAD TO WORK IN A VERY CRAMPED PLACE.

SO THESE GUYS WERE DOWN ON THEIR KNEES, AND THEY WOULD SHOVEL COAL INTO CARS JUST LIKE THIS.

ONCE THE CAR WAS FULL... >> Rosendo: THIS WAS IT?

>> THAT WAS IT.

THAT WAS IT.

>> Rosendo: HMM.

I CAN'T EVEN IMAGINE BEING IN A SPACE THAT SMALL, MUCH LESS WORKING IN A SPACE LIKE THAT FOR, WHAT, EIGHT HOURS?

>> IT WOULD BE, YEAH--IT WAS HARD, DANGEROUS WORK BACK IN THOSE DAYS.

WELL, IT STILL IS, BUT... YEAH.

>> Rosendo: JULIE, WHERE DO THESE STEPS LEAD?

>> WELL, THESE STEPS WERE ACTUALLY BUILT BY THE PARKS SERVICE TO RECREATE THE ROUTE THAT THE MINERS TOOK EVERY DAY TO GO TO WORK.

>> Rosendo: SO THEY LIVED DOWN THERE?

>> THEY GO TO KAYMOOR BOTTOM.

THAT'S WHERE THEY LIVED.

>> Rosendo: AND WHAT ELSE IS DOWN THERE?

IS THAT--DID THEY WORK DOWN THERE TOO?

>> WELL, THERE WERE ABOUT 120 COKE OVENS, AND SO WHEN THE COAL WAS MINED UP HERE FROM THE KAYMOOR MINES, THEY WOULD SHIP THE COAL DOWN, AND THEY WOULD SHOVEL THE COAL INTO THE COKE OVENS TO PRODUCE FUEL.

>> Rosendo: JUST LIKE EVERYTHING HERE IN WEST VIRGINIA, THERE'S ALWAYS MORE TO SEE AND DO.

LET'S GO.

I WAS A LITTLE BIT APPREHENSIVE ABOUT BEING ON A MOUNTAIN BIKE.

HAVEN'T DONE IT IN A LONG TIME, BUT ONCE YOU GET ON THE TRAIL, ALL THAT JUST FADES AWAY, JUST LIKE THE FOG ON THE RIVER.

I GUESS IT'S TRUE WHAT THEY SAY.

YOU NEVER FORGET HOW TO RIDE A BIKE.

THE KAYMOOR TRAIL TAKES YOU FROM ONE OF WEST VIRGINIA'S OLDEST COAL MINES THROUGH VINE-COVERED FOREST REMINISCENT OF EXOTIC LOCALES, LIKE THE JUNGLES OF CENTRAL AMERICA.

THE KAYMOOR TRAIL WINDS FOR 14 MILES ALONG THE GORGE.

AND FOR MOST OF IT, YOU'RE RIGHT ON THE EDGE.

YOU LOOK DOWN ON THE RIVER.

THAT'S STRIPPER FALLS, WHICH WE RODE THROUGH YESTERDAY.

SO YOU CAN EITHER GET ON THE RIVER HERE, NEW RIVER, OR YOU CAN BE RIDING ABOVE IT.

HERE WE GO.

AH.

AH.

UH.

WELL, IF YOU CAN'T RIDE, AT LEAST YOU CAN WALK.

WELL, WE'LL ALL END UP IN THE SAME PLACE.

THEY'LL JUST GET THERE A LITTLE BIT BEFORE ME.

YOU KNOW, YOU DON'T HAVE TO FLY THROUGH THE FOREST ON A MOUNTAIN BIKING TRIP.

I MEAN, MOUNTAIN BIKING'S ABOUT HIKING AND BIKING, ISN'T IT, JULIE?

>> SURE IS, AND IT'S ALSO ABOUT ENJOYING THE SCENERY AND THE FRESH AIR AND THE SUNSHINE AND, YOU KNOW, ALL THAT THE WILDERNESS HAS TO OFFER.

>> Rosendo: AND BEAUTIFUL PLANTS AND ANIMALS.

THESE PLANTS RIGHT HERE, THEY LOOK LIKE--WHAT ARE THEY?

THEY LOOK LIKE LITTLE CHRISTMAS TREES.

>> WELL, THEY ARE.

THEY'RE MINI PINE TREES.

ITS COMMON NAME IS GROUND PINE, BUT ITS SCIENTIFIC NAME IS LYCOPODIUM, AND IT'S VERY COMMON IN WEST VIRGINIA.

>> Rosendo: WHAT KIND OF WILDLIFE MIGHT YOU SEE ON A BIKING TRIP OR A HIKING TRIP HERE ALONG THE RIVER GORGE?

>> OH, OFTEN WE'LL SEE DEER AND LOTS OF SQUIRRELS, CHIPMUNKS, PHEASANT... >> Rosendo: WE SAW SOME BEAUTIFUL BIRDS.

>> BEAUTIFUL BIRDS.

THEY'RE LOVING THOSE THERMALS IN THE AIR, SO THEY'RE OUT THERE PLAYING.

>> Rosendo: SO THE RIVER IS A RECREATIONAL LOCATION FOR MAN AND BEAST ALIKE.

>> YEP, SURE IS.

ALL RIGHT, WE DID IT.

>> [together] CLEARED THE LINE.

>> GOOD JOB.

>> Rosendo: ALL RIGHT.

>> ALL RIGHT, GOOD RIDE.

>> WHOO!

>> Rosendo: THANKS A LOT, GUYS.

YOU KNOW, THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING.

FROM HERE, WE'VE BEEN ON THE RIVER, HALF-WAY UP.

WE'RE GOING TO THE TOP NOW.

LET'S GO.

I'M ABOUT TO GO REPELLING OFF THE FACE OF A MOUNTAIN HERE, 900 FEET FROM THE RIVER.

UM, NEVER DONE IT BEFORE, SO...

I'M NOT NERVOUS, THOUGH.

I'M JUST--I'M REALLY EXCITED.

OKAY, SO I'M A LITTLE NERVOUS.

THERE'S A FINE LINE BETWEEN NERVOUS AND EXCITEMENT, SO... JUST I'M TRYING TO KEEP ON THE EXCITEMENT PART OF THE LINE.

GOOD THING I DON'T HAVE A FEAR OF HEIGHTS.

WOW.

THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO CLIMB ON SOME OF THE OLDEST ROCK IN THE COUNTRY, 374 MILLION YEARS OLD.

AND LIKE, THE NEW RIVER GORGE IS THE SECOND OLDEST RIVER IN THE WORLD, SO THERE'S A HISTORIC--THERE'S HISTORY THAT'S BEHIND THIS CLIMB TOO, NOT JUST A PHYSICAL ACTIVITY.

AND THIS IS THE BIGGEST CLIMBING AREA IN THE EASTERN UNITED STATES.

I THINK THERE'S, LIKE, 1,600 CLIMBS THAT ARE AVAILABLE FOR PEOPLE HERE.

SO YOU CAN BE CLIMBING FOR A LONG, LONG TIME.

WEST VIRGINIA IS THE MOUNTAIN STATE.

IN THE NEW RIVER GORGE AREA, THERE 1,600 WAYS TO EXPERIENCE THE BIG ROCKS INTIMATELY.

OOH, MY LEGS ARE A LITTLE SORE FROM YESTERDAY, I SEE.

SOME TRAILS LEAD YOU 1,000 FEET STRAIGHT DOWN.

OH, LOOK AT THIS.

THE NEW RIVER GORGE BRIDGE IS THE SECOND LONGEST SINGLE-ARCH BRIDGE IN THE WORLD AND ONE OF THE HIGHEST.

FROM THIS VANTAGE POINT, YOU CAN REALLY SEE WHAT AN ENGINEERING MARVEL IT IS.

YOU SEE MAN CAN CREATE SOME BEAUTIFUL THINGS.

HMM.

IT'S A LONG WAYS DOWN THERE.

PRETTY NICE.

SO, ROB, THESE TREE ROOTS ARE PRETTY STRONG, ARE THEY?

>> OH, YEAH, THEY'RE PLENTY STRONG.

>> Rosendo: YOU'VE DONE THIS BEFORE?

>> OH, YEAH, LOTS OF TIMES.

>> Rosendo: BUT YOU DON'T THINK THEY'RE WORN OUT BECAUSE YOU'VE DONE IT SO MUCH?

>> NO, NO, NO, NO.

>> Rosendo: OKAY, GOOD.

THE TREES ARE YOUR FRIENDS.

>> TREES ARE-- >> Rosendo: WHOLE NEW PERSPECTIVE ON THAT IDEA, YOU KNOW?

>> COOL.

>> Rosendo: HOW DO I GET MYSELF INTO THESE THINGS?

[laughter] ALL RIGHT.

I'M NOT NERVOUS, THOUGH, I'M JUST--I'M REALLY EXCITED.

>> ALL RIGHT, SO WHY DON'T YOU GO AHEAD AND PICK UP A HELMET AND GLOVES... >> Rosendo: OKAY.

>> OFF THE GROUND THERE?

>> Rosendo: ♪ WEST VIRGINIA ♪ ♪ [mumbling] ♪ BOY, I'VE NEVER WORN SO MANY HARD HATS IN MY LIFE.

BUT IN WEST VIRGINIA, THIS IS THE HEAD WEAR OF CHOICE.

I'M WITH ROB VIROSTEK, AND WE'RE UP HERE ON THE TOP OF THE-- WHAT ACTUALLY IS THIS PART CALLED?

>> IT'S CALLED THE NEW RIVER GORGE NATIONAL RIVER.

WE'RE ON TOP OF THE BRIDGE BUTTRESS RIGHT HERE.

THAT'S THE NAME OF THIS AREA.

>> Rosendo: NOW, HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN CLIMBING ROCKS?

>> I'VE BEEN CLIMBING ABOUT FIVE YEARS NOW, YEAH, PRETTY SERIOUSLY, FULL-TIME.

I USUALLY GET OUT ABOUT 250-PLUS DAYS A YEAR.

>> Rosendo: OH, MY GOSH, THAT IS PRETTY SERIOUS.

>> YEAH.

>> Rosendo: NOW, THERE'S A REAL RIVER COMMUNITY HERE IN THE NEW RIVER GORGE.

HOW ABOUT A ROCK CLIMBING COMMUNITY?

IS THERE A GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO ARE AS TIGHT-KNIT AS THEY ARE?

>> OH, DEFINITELY, YEAH.

THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST PLACES IN THE EAST AND, IN MY OPINION, IN THE COUNTRY FOR ROCK CLIMBING.

>> Rosendo: WHAT DO YOU THINK'S THE DIFFERENT MIND-SET IF YOU'RE ON THE RIVER OR CLIMBING ROCKS?

>> WELL THE--YOU KNOW, THE RIVER, YOU KNOW, IS A LOT OF ADVENTURE, EXCITEMENT, YOU KNOW.

IT'S A LOT OF GOOD TIMES, PEOPLE FLIPPING OUT OF BOATS, GOING IN THE WATER.

FOR ME, IT'S A BIT TOO UNPREDICTABLE.

CLIMBING IS A LOT ABOUT BALANCE AND, YOU KNOW, PREDICTABILITY IN YOUR MOVEMENT AND YOUR ACTIONS.

SO THAT'S WHAT I LIKE ABOUT IT.

IT'S A LOT ABOUT PROBLEM SOLVING, FIGURING OUT PUZZLES THAT THE ROCK PRESENTS TO YOU.

>> Rosendo: WHAT'S THE NUMBER ONE THING THAT TURNS YOU ON ABOUT THAT, ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE?

WHAT IS IT THAT REALLY MAKES YOU WANT TO GET OUT THERE AND DO IT EVERY DAY?

>> IT'S DEFINITELY THE PHYSICAL AND THE MENTAL CHALLENGE.

YOU KNOW, IT'S--YOU'RE IN NATURE AND YOU'RE AMONGST THESE BIG WALLS, AND IT'S KIND OF A, YOU KNOW, MIGHT BE A SCARY PLACE AT FIRST, BUT AS YOU, YOU KNOW, GET MORE FAMILIAR WITH IT, SPEND A LOT OF TIME THERE, YOU START TO UNDERSTAND IT.

YOU START TO, YOU KNOW, KNOW HOW IT'S GONNA REACT AND HOW YOU'RE GONNA REACT TO IT AND REALLY BECOMES, LIKE, YOUR HOME.

>> Rosendo: GREAT, THANK YOU.

>> AND THANK YOU.

>> Rosendo: THANKS FOR HOLDING MY LIFE IN YOUR HANDS.

>> NO PROBLEM.

>> Rosendo: WHAT WAS THAT NOISE?

>> IT'S OKAY.

>> Rosendo: OKAY.

>> THAT'S IT, OKAY.

MAYBE START BRINGING YOUR FEET DOWN.

>> Rosendo: WAIT, WHAT, WHAT?

>> START BRINGING YOUR FEET DOWN WITH YOUR BODY AS YOU LOWER IT.

THAT'S IT.

GO A LITTLE BIT LOWER NOW.

TAKE A STEP DOWN ONTO THAT LEDGE RIGHT HERE.

>> Rosendo: OKAY.

>> GREAT, KEEP LEANING BACK ON THAT HARNESS.

KEEP YOUR RIGHT HAND DOWN THERE BY YOUR HIP.

>> Rosendo: BY MY HIP, YEAH.

>> THAT'S IT.

OKAY.

NOW YOU CAN GO AHEAD AND LOWER YOURSELF DOWN.

>> Rosendo: JUST A DROP AT A TIME?

>> YES.

THAT'S IT.

WALK YOUR FEET DOWN WITH YOU.

THAT'S IT.

YOU'RE DOING GREAT.

>> Rosendo: STAYING OUT HERE.

>> MM-HMM, THAT'S IT.

>> Rosendo: [whistling a tune] >> NICELY DONE, JOSEPH.

>> Rosendo: I KIND OF SLIPPED UP THERE.

IS THAT ALL RIGHT?

>> IT'S GREAT.

>> Rosendo: ♪ HA TA TA TA ♪ ♪ WEST VIRGINIA ♪ [indistinct speech] BOY, THIS IS A WHOLE NEW PERSPECTIVE ON THE MOUNTAIN.

GOING DOWN.

LOOKING DOWN, LOOKING UP.

BOY, BEAUTIFUL, UH...

IT'S ALREADY FALL HERE IN WEST VIRGINIA.

LEAVES ARE CHANGING.

THIS MUST BE BEAUTIFUL HERE.

AMAZING.

NOW WE'RE JUST SWINGING.

>> JUST GET YOUR FEET UNDER YOU.

PUT THEM STRAIGHT DOWN.

>> Rosendo: WHOO-HOO!

WOW, I CAME ALL THE WAY DOWN THAT?

THAT'S GREAT.

NEXT TIME, I'M GOING TO BOUNCE AROUND A LITTLE BIT, I THINK.

IT'S BEAUTIFUL.

BEAUTIFUL WAY TO LOOK AT THE MOUNTAIN.

I LOVE THIS ROCK.

I LOVE THAT ROPE.

MORNING.

YOU KNOW, THE NEW RIVER IS RUNNING AT ABOUT 1,000 CUBIC FEET PER SECOND.

AND THE GAULEY THAT WE'RE GONNA GO ON IS RUNNING AT 2,800 CUBIC FEET PER SECOND, SO THAT SEEMS LIKE A BIT OF A DIFFERENCE TO ME.

SHOULD BE A HECK OF AN ADVENTURE.

>> JUST SO YOU KNOW, I'M NOT TRYING TO SCARE ANYBODY.

THIS IS GOOD FAMILY FUN.

BUT RISK IS OUT THERE.

AND SO WE'LL COVER SOME THINGS TO HELP ENSURE YOUR PERSONAL SAFETY AND EVERYBODY ELSE'S.

THIS IS SHALLOW, ROCKY RIVER.

OBVIOUSLY, IF YOU FALL OUT AND YOU HIT YOUR HEAD ON A ROCK, YOU WANT TO HAVE A HELMET ON.

WE NEVER ENTER THE WATER HEADFIRST.

NEVER DIVE IN.

IF YOUR LOVED ONE FALLS IN, DON'T JUMP IN AFTER HIM.

THAT JUST MEANS WE GOT TO SAVE TWO OF YOU.

YOUR LIFE JACKET IS A COAST GUARD-APPROVED COMMERCIAL-GRADE TYPE-5 FLOATATION DEVICE.

OBVIOUSLY, WE DON'T WANT TO COME OUT OF A LIFE JACKET.

THAT WOULD BE A VERY BAD SCENARIO.

YOU WANT TO GET USED TO ROCKING INTO YOUR PADDLE AND STROKES, LEANING INTO THEM.

THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT BECAUSE WE'RE GONNA HIT SOME DEAD WALLS OF WATER.

JUMP UP THERE AND HELP 'EM, 'CAUSE IF NOBODY'S PADDLING, YOU'RE GONNA CRASH AND BURN ANYWAY, SO SUCK IT UP.

NOW, NO MATTER WHAT WE TELL YOU, YOU CAN FALL OUT.

WE NEED YOUR HELP.

YOU'RE THE MOTOR.

WE'RE JUST A GUIDE.

WE CAN TELL YOU WHAT TO DO AND ALL THAT GOOD STUFF, BUT YOU GOT TO DO IT.

ALL RIGHT, IT'S A TEAM SPORT.

>> Rosendo: FROM MID-MARCH THROUGH OCTOBER, THE NEW AND GAULEY RIVERS OFFER UNPARALLELED RAFTING ADVENTURES.

YET EACH FALL, THE GAULEY TRANSFORMS INTO A WHITEWATER ENTHUSIAST'S DREAM... OR NIGHTMARE.

THE GAULEY IS KNOWN FOR ITS CLASS-5 RAPIDS.

THE IRONY IN NAMES LIKE INSIGNIFICANT, PILLOW ROCK, AND SWEET'S FALL BECOMES EVIDENT ONCE YOUR RAFT ENCOUNTERS THE SWELLS.

MY CLASS VI MOUNTAIN RIVER GUIDE PILOTS OUR RAFT THROUGH TOWERING WAVES AND AROUND HOLES OF WATER THAT THREATEN TO SWALLOW US.

A TEAM EFFORT GIVES US THE BALANCE OF POWER WE NEED TO PROPEL US THROUGH THE RAGING SEA.

EACH RAPID WE SAIL THROUGH IS A CELEBRATION.

WE BECOME ONE WITH THE RIVER AND LEARN THAT THE BEST WAY TO GO IS WHERE THE RIVER WANTS TO FLOW.

BACK AT CLASS VI MOUNTAIN RIVER HEADQUARTERS, IT'S TIME TO CONGRATULATE EACH OTHER ON A JOB WELL DONE.

OVER A MEAL AND DRINKS, WE ENJOY THE CAMARADERIE OF NEW FRIENDS WHILE WE SHARE HAIR-RAISING STORIES OF OUR TIME ON THE GAULEY.

AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE HEAD BACK TO OUR CABIN FOR A REST WELL-EARNED.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING ME ON MY WEST VIRGINIA NEW RIVER GORGE ADVENTURE.

WHEN I WAS 17, COMING TO WEST VIRGINIA WAS A REAL ADVENTURE.

40 YEARS LATER, I CAME BACK FOR MORE.

MOUNTAIN BIKING, REPELLING, RIVER RAFTING ALL DEMAND THAT YOU LIVE IN THE MOMENT.

WEST VIRGINIA GAVE ME MY FIRST CHANCE TO TRAVEL.

AND TRAVEL HAS ALWAYS GIVEN ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO LIVE LIFE IN THE MOMENT.

UNTIL NEXT TIME, THIS IS JOSEPH ROSENDO REMINDING YOU OF THE WORDS OF MARK TWAIN: "TRAVEL IS FATAL TO PREJUDICE, BIGOTRY, AND NARROW-MINDEDNESS."

HAPPY TRAVELING.

>> announcer: TRAVELSCOPE IS MADE POSSIBLE BY DK EYEWITNESS TRAVEL GUIDES.

DK'S CITY AND COUNTRY GUIDES FEATURE EVOCATIVE PHOTOS, HOTEL AND DINING CHOICES, GUIDED WALKS, AND TRAVEL ITINERARIES.

DK EYEWITNESS TRAVEL GUIDES: TO ORDER A DVD OF TODAY'S SHOW OR ANY OF JOSEPH'S TRAVELSCOPE ADVENTURES, VISIT: OR CALL: VISIT US AT: TO LEARN MORE ABOUT TRAVELSCOPE AND TO JOIN JOSEPH'S WORLDWIDE ADVENTURES ON HIS BLOG.

KEEP IN TOUCH WITH US.

OR EMAIL US AT: >> Rosendo: JOIN ME NEXT TIME ON TRAVELSCOPE, WHEN I CELEBRATE THE GOOD LIFE IN HISTORIC AND MODERN VIENNA AND AUSTRIA'S BURGENLAND WINE COUNTRY.

[gentle acoustic guitar music] ♪ ♪ >> ♪ NEW RIVER, OLD RIVER ♪ ♪ THEY WERE PUZZLED ♪ ♪ WHEN THEY FOUND YOU ♪ ♪ SUNSET SIDE OF APPALACHIA ♪ ♪ FLOWING TO THE NORTH ♪ ♪ MISTY EYED IN THE MORNING ♪ ♪ LADYLIKE IN YOUR WANDERING ♪