. ♪ country roads take me home to the place i belong ♪ ♪ west virginia ♪ >> reporter: this is lizzie watts new river george, and based on what just happened, it is hard to imagine it is not her favorite. are you like why hasn't it been named a national park until now? >> a little of both. >> reporter: it is very old, estimated to be the second oldest river in the world. terrain is long, skinny and wild. >> people have been floating in the river for thousands of years. left parts of their world. >> reporter: first explored by native americans, the george has become a recreation it looked like vegas. >> reporter: it was a little vegas. >> people came from all around to come to thurman. >> reporter: jerry cook is the man responsible for sheparding the george's transformation from mining hub to an oasis. >> more coal came through here from richmond to chicago. >> reporter: essentially a ghost town? >> yes. th itrial revolution.he stiun te ning does in ef the fting runs in the world. what is it about this river? >> it gets in your veins. >> reporter: you are getting a long season here? >> yeah.

lizzie watts, thank you so much. she is tremendous.n my life -- >> the scene me is beautiful. the rapids -- scenery is beautiful. the rapids looked amazing. i would love to do that. >> it's worth it. >> a day's drive from half the u.s. population. >> wow. amazing stuff. >> got to love it. >>> first, she's a food lover who thinks the most important course is the last one. up next, on "the dish," claire saffitz has told millions how to make great desserts through articles, videos, and now her bestselling cookbook. we'll get a sweet sample next. you're watching "cbs this morning saturday." >>> for those of you without local news, "cbs this morning saturday" will return in a few minutes. for now, i'm ian lee with a look beyond this morning's headlines. some people share a unique bond with their pets, and that is especially true for one minnesota boy and his golden retriever puppy. chris martinez has the story. >> reporter: 7-year-old paxon williams gets around just fine with his prosthetic leg. now the minnesota boy has a new puppy who als