Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.
Today is Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026.
…and now for the rest of the stories…on today’s daily304.com!
#1 – From SOUTHERN LIVING – Southern Living showcases the waterfalls and mountain towns of Tucker County
Towering waterfalls, colorful mountain landscapes and charming small towns are earning national attention for one of West Virginia’s most beautiful destinations.
Southern Living recently updated its guide to the best things to do around Blackwater Falls State Park, highlighting outdoor adventures in Tucker County.
The park’s centerpiece is Blackwater Falls, a nearly 60-foot waterfall known for its amber-colored water. Visitors can also explore Elakala Falls, hike to Lindy Point for sweeping canyon views or venture to nearby Douglas Falls.
The magazine recommends exploring the Blackwater Canyon Trail, enjoying scenic drives through the Allegheny Mountains and taking a chairlift ride at Canaan Valley Resort.
And there’s plenty to discover beyond the trails. The nearby towns of Davis and Thomas offer locally owned restaurants, shops, art galleries and live music at the Purple Fiddle.
Waterfalls, mountain adventures and welcoming small towns. It’s a combination that keeps visitors coming back to Almost Heaven.
Read more: https://www.southernliving.com/blackwater-falls-state-park-6532522
#2 – From GAZETTE-MAIL – Meet the Gauley Lama, a rafting legend approaching 50 years on the river
Nearly half a century ago, a college student spotted a poster advertising whitewater rafting trips in West Virginia. That chance encounter changed his life.
Today, Glenn Goodrich, better known as the “Gauley Lama,” is one of the most experienced whitewater rafting guides in the world.
Goodrich first visited the New River Gorge in 1976 while studying computer science at Ohio State University. He loved the experience so much that he returned, completed guide training and began his professional rafting career in 1978.
Now 72, Goodrich is completing his 49th year as a guide. He’s paddled nearly 80,000 miles across 48 countries and 49 states.
His experience includes more than 1,200 guided trips on the Gauley River, where he’s earned a reputation for his knowledge, dedication and commitment to safety.
Despite his remarkable career, Goodrich says his favorite part of the job remains meeting people and helping them appreciate whitewater. And after all these years, he has no plans to stop.
#3 – From WV NEWS – North-central West Virginia transforms aging buildings into new opportunities
Old buildings are finding new purpose across north-central West Virginia, creating opportunities for businesses while preserving important pieces of community history.
At the recent NCWV Business Summit in Fairmont, redevelopment leaders shared how they’re transforming vacant and aging properties.
In Morgantown, the former Mylan pharmaceutical manufacturing facility has become the WVU Innovation Corporation, now home to approximately 35 organizations. The site is about half occupied, with more than $100 million in construction projects underway.
In Fairmont, entrepreneur Evan-Nicole Chapman transformed a century-old former printing building into the home of Loving WV. The business now sells products in more than 200 West Virginia stores and employs six full-time workers.
And in Preston County, Arthurdale Heritage has restored 13 major structures, preserving New Deal history while creating spaces for weddings, gatherings and community activities.
The projects demonstrate how investment, partnerships and creative thinking can bring new economic activity to buildings that once seemed past their prime.
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.
