MAY 25,
SATURDAY, 9:45 a.m.
Cahaba
Lily Walk, Hargrove Shoals along the Cahaba River in Bibb County
Details: Please
come with us to see the largest display of blooming Cahaba lilies in the world,
acres and acres of them spread out over the water in the river. These lilies are a sight to behold! In places, it often looks like it has snowed
on the river in May.
Over seven miles of the Cahaba River lie within the Refuge
boundary. The rolling uplands surrounding the river are forested with mountain
longleaf and loblolly pines. Mixed upland hardwood species line ravines and the
river's edge.
The largest known stand of the imperiled shoals lily (known
locally as the Cahaba lily) also occurs within the Refuge. During May and June,
this beautiful plant blooms, and people come from across the region to view
this magnificent display of nature. There is even an annual Cahaba lily
festival that draws thousands of visitors to the area the last Saturday in
May.
Well-behaved, properly supervised children age 7 and over
welcome.
Optional dinner after.
The hike is about five miles round trip. Rated easy.
Wear sturdy footwear you don’t mind getting wet and dirty. Old sneakers work well. You’ll want to put on your river shoes so
you can walk out into the shallow parts of the river to stroll through and
touch the lilies which grow only in the water.
Bare feet, flip-flops, slip-ons and thin-soled “beach shoes” are not
acceptable!! You may wear your sturdy river shoes for the entire trip if you
like. Please bring picnic lunch and
your drink. Hiking poles are strongly
recommended to provide additional stability when wading in the river.
Please meet at 9:45 a.m. at the McDonald’s Galleria. We plan to depart from there at 10:00 a.m.
Info. and
hike leader: Dan Frederick, 205/631-4680 or seoutings@bellsouth.net
Dayhike
Where: Hillsboro Trail, Helena, Shelby County, Alabama
Details: Join friendly folks on an easy four-mile walk on the
Hillsboro Trail in Helena, Alabama.
This smooth trail is wide, paved and with only a few short hills. On this particular walk you will be walking
on a scenic trail which goes through mostly wooded terrain.
No motorized vehicles are allowed
on your trail! All road crossings are
through three tunnels under the
roads. Note this is a relatively easy
outing, one which should be lots of fun for everyone. Well-behaved, carefully supervised children age seven and up able
to walk four miles without complaining are welcome on this walk.
After the walk we’ll enjoy going
for frozen yogurt at Yogurt Mountain in Hoover. Meet at 1:45 p.m. in the front parking lot at the Helena Middle
School and depart from that location at 2:00 p.m. to begin the walk.
Info. and hike leader: Dan Frederick, seoutings@bellsouth.net or
205/631-4680
JUNE 1, SATURDAY, 8:45 a.m.
Kayak and Canoe Trip on the Elk River near Elkmont, Alabama
Details: The section we will paddle is easy with no
obstructions. This is a scenic stretch
of river located in a very rural area.
Novice canoeists are welcome and may come on this trip, but each one must be partnered with an experienced
canoeist in their boat.
If you want to rent a kayak,
please call Fort Hampton Outfitters 256/431-8988 to reserve your rental
kayak. Be sure to identify yourself as coming with Southeastern Outings on
June 1. Please note that the outfitter has no canoes and only 19 one-person
sit-upon kayaks, 1 one-person sit in kayak and 6 tandem sit-upon kayaks for
rent, so be sure you call to reserve early. Once all their kayaks are reserved for June 1, there will be no
more kayaks available to rent from that outfitter!
If you rent a kayak from this
outfitter, the outfitter will take you and your rented boat to the put in and
meet you at the take out, so you will never need to transport your rented boat
at all. You may bring your own canoe or
kayak on this trip, but you must pay the outfitter to shuttle your
privately-owned boat. Shuttle fee and
life jacket are included in rental boat fee for those who rent kayaks from the
outfitter. Please note that this
outfitter does not rent canoes at all.
Please see note for canoe trips below for additional important general
information as well.
Children age 10 and over welcome.
After the kayak/canoe trip we plan
to go for dinner at an excellent restaurant in Athens, Alabama. If you would like to have dinner with us at
the restaurant after the kayak and canoe trip, please bring your things to
clean up with and a change of clothes.
Please meet at 8:45 a.m. at the Hayden/Corner Park and
Ride. We plan to depart from there at
9:00 a.m.
Reservations Required: You must call Dan Frederick, 205/631-4680 or
email seoutings@bellsouth.net if you plan to come on this kayak and canoe trip. You may leave a message on Dan’s voice mail
if you wish.
If you want to come on this SEO kayak and canoe trip AND you are renting
a boat from the outfitter at the site of the trip, you are required to call BOTH
the outfitter to reserve your boat AND ALSO contact the trip leader,
too, and notify him/her that you are coming!
If you are planning to meet the
group initially at the outfitter’s instead of at the designated meeting place
near Birmingham, please tell Dan Frederick in advance that you are planning to
meet the group at the outfitter’s.
Please do not make it necessary
for Dan to contact you concerning information which you have already received
in this announcement and the notes below.
Info. and trip leader: If you have further questions,
please call Dan Frederick, 205/631-4680 or email seoutings@bellsouth.net.
JUNE 8, SATURDAY, Picnic at 7:30 p.m. Concert begins at 8:00 p.m.
FREE Alabama Symphony Orchestra (ASO) Concert
FREE Alabama Symphony Orchestra (ASO) Concert
Where: Railroad Park situated along 1st
Avenue South, between 14th and 18th Streets South in downtown Birmingham.
Click for More Pictures
Details: Thanks to the generous support
of sponsors, the ASO is excited to play a free series of concerts in
Birmingham's Railroad Park! Enjoy music under the stars with the Alabama
Symphony Orchestra. The musical
compositions to be played on this Saturday evening program will be announced at
a later date.
Please
join us for this special concert which promises to yield a great evening of
fun. Relax on the lawn with your
blanket or lawn chair. If you’d like to
eat with us, please bring your picnic (no glass or alcohol allowed) to enjoy at
7:30 p.m. Concert itself begins at 8:00
p.m. To find the group, please look for the Southeastern Outings people near
the walkway on the railroad side (far side of park away from 1st Avenue South)
of the park. You are welcome to bring
as many friends and family members as you wish.
Admission: FREE
More Info: Please call the ASO
office, 205/251-6929 or Dan Frederick, 205/631-4680.
JUNE 15, SATURDAY, Meet 9:45 a.m.
Kayak and Canoe Trip, Locust Fork River
Details: A fun Southeastern Outings kayak and canoe trip on
Section 1 of the Locust Fork River in Blount County. This stretch, which several of us have canoed previously, is
fairly easy and without classified rapids. Along the river we’ll see lots of
wildflowers and stop to investigate islands and beaches.
Novice canoeists are
welcome and may come on this trip, but each one must be partnered with an experienced canoeist in their canoe.
Please note that for this trip you
may rent one person sit-upon plastic kayaks and paddles for $30 each at the
put-in from River Beach Outfitters.
Rental fees include shuttle service.
Also the outfitter will charge a $15 fee for all private boats be
they canoes or kayaks used on this outing.
If you wish to rent a kayak from the outfitter, please notify Dan
Frederick, seoutings@bellsouth.net or phone
205/631-4680 BEFORE June 1 to reserve your boat. Dan will then inform the outfitter how many rental kayaks he will
need to provide to SEO people for this trip. Please note that the outfitter
has only 70 one-person kayaks for rent, so be sure you call to reserve early. Once all their solo kayaks are reserved for
June 1, there will be no more kayaks available to rent!
For more essential information
about this trip, please see Note for Canoe Trips at the end of this calendar.
Meet 9:45 a.m. at the Cleveland
Chevron Service Station. We plan to
depart from there at 10:00 a.m.
Reservations Required: You are required to contact Dan
Frederick by email seoutings@bellsouth.net or call 205/631-4680 if you plan to
come on this kayak and canoe trip.
Please advise your name, telephone number, skill level, whether you are
bringing a canoe or kayak and whether you need a paddling partner. You may leave a message on Dan’s answering
machine if you wish.
If you want to come on the June 15 SEO kayak and canoe trip AND you are
renting a boat from the outfitter at the site of the trip, you are required to
call or contact ONLY the trip leader and notify him that you are coming! Info. and Trip Leader: If you
have further questions, please contact Dan Frederick, seoutings@bellsouth.net
or 205/631-4680.
JUNE 16, SUNDAY, Meet 1:15 p.m.
Dayhike on the Montevallo Parks Trail
Details: Enjoy an easy 4-mile hike on a trail in
Montevallo. The main trail is two miles
one way and goes through parks, by two picturesque, flowing streams, and around
a beautiful University-owned lake in a wooded park. Total hiking distance is about four miles.
This walk will be Southeastern
Outings’ eighth or so hike on the Montevallo Parks trail. Come with us for a guided tour of an easily
walkable trail. Please bring plenty of
water and wear good walking shoes or boots. Dress appropriately for the weather.
Meet
1:15 p.m. at the McDonald’s Galleria.
We plan to depart from there at 1:30 p.m. Or you may meet the group at 2:00 p.m. at the parking lot beside the larger
bridge over Shoal Creek which is the wide creek that flows through Orr Park
between the ball fields and the open recreational area in the park in
Montevallo. The bridge is right beside
the parking lot along the creek at the back of the ball fields. Please email Dan Frederick at the email
address below if you would like driving directions from Hoover to Orr Park sent
to you before the hike.
Well-behaved,
carefully supervised children age 7 and over able to complete the hike welcome.
Optional dinner after the hike.
Admission to Trail: Free
JUNE 22,
SATURDAY, Meet 9:45 a.m.
River Float, Picnic, Swim on the Locust Fork River from Taylor’s Ford
through Cornelius Falls in Blount County near Royal, AL
Details: Easy river float on the Locust Fork River. Float in the river from Taylor’s Ford
through Cornelius Falls and below.
We’ll float downstream to the widest waterfall on the Locust Fork
River. Enjoy eating your picnic lunch
sitting on the rocks overlooking the waterfall. This is one of the prettiest lunch spots we have ever seen in
Alabama. As we float we’ll also view
sheer cliffs that rise high above the river.
So enjoy a flowing river, high rock bluffs and a gorgeous waterfall—all
along a nearly uninhabited stretch of this river. Bring a picnic lunch, drink, sunscreen and something to float on
such as an inflatable vinyl float or air mattress. See Float Note below for additional information.
Please bring a towel, your picnic
lunch and drinking water. Pack your
lunch, sunscreen, towel and drink in 2 plastic garbage bags with twist ties,
one bag over the other. Then put the
bags in your daypack and strap the pack to your back. This keeps your things dry and prevents them from floating
away. Wear swimsuit and sturdy
footwear you don’t mind getting wet and dirty.
Old sneakers work well. Bare feet, flip-flops, slip-ons and thin-soled “beach shoes” are not
acceptable! You must be able to swim to
participate in this outing!
Have fun swimming in the pools in
the river and just sitting in Cornelius Falls.
Well-behaved, properly supervised children age 8 and up welcome, but
parents are responsible for all risks to their children.
Spring floats, passenger car and pick up truck tire tubes and inflatable
boats are not permitted on SEO river floats! A spring float is a flotation device
consisting of an inflatable outer oval with a small, few inch diameter cross
section and a large mesh interior. Those
spring floats are meant for floating in swimming pools and on lakes in still
water, not for floating the Locust Fork. They are difficult to steer and
therefore unsafe for use on Southeastern Outings river floats.
Bring a friend or several if you
wish. Meet 9:45 a.m. at the Cleveland
Chevron. We plan to depart from there
at 10:00 a.m.
Float Note
Substantial, fabric-covered, inflatable, vinyl, rectangular floats like you use to ride the waves at the Gulf work
best. Trip leader Dan Frederick
has children’s floats (60 inches long) for $12 each for sale ONLY at the start of outings Dan
attends. We regret that at this time we
have been unable to find a source where we can buy more of the 72-inch
canvas-covered floats. Please pay
either with exact change or a
check made out to SEO. First come,
first served.
Here is an alternative to carrying
your lunches, water, towel and sunscreen in a pack on your back. You can
bring with you four 6-7 foot lengths of sturdy cord. Place your pack with
your things in it in the middle of the foot of your float. Lash the pack
to your float with two of the cords, one passing around the float and through
the top of the straps and the other passing around the float and through the
bottom of the straps of your pack. Pass the other two cords over the top
of your pack and under the float and tie them down tightly. Then lie on your float with the pack sort of
between your knees with your feet splayed out at the bottom corners of your
float. Using this method eliminates your having to float down the river
for several hours on your belly with a pack on your back, and it also gives you
the option of turning over and lying on your back in the slower-moving sections
of the river in order to change your body position and float more
comfortably. If you are an adult, this method of fastening your pack to
your float works only if you are using a 72-in long rectangular float. Either method of transporting your pack is
satisfactory and acceptable. But I learned that people like it when you
give them choices. In any case, your lunches, etc. should be double
bagged (or placed in a waterproof canoe bag) inside your pack.
Inflatable boats are not permitted on SEO river floats!
JUNE 29,
2019, 10:15 a.m.
Tube Float Tallapoosa
River at Heflin
Details: Southeastern Outings is very
pleased to once again offer the opportunity to go tube floating.
We just identified last summer a new tube floating outfitter
on the Tallapoosa River at Heflin.
Tallapoosa River Outfitters has rented kayaks to SEO for many years, and
now they also rent tubes.
Join friendly folks on a relaxing,
lazy summer day tube float. Everyone is
cordially invited on this real fun event.
The float will be on the Tallapoosa River near Heflin, Alabama.
We will eat our picnic lunches by the river when we arrive
at the outfitters. Then we will float
on the river for about two to three hours.
The outfitter will put us on the river upriver from his place, and you
will float down river and take out at the outfitter’s place.
Then you can play in the river at the end of the float if
you wish, and/or just lie out and relax or get in your car and leave after
finishing the tube float.
Please bring picnic lunch, drink, sunscreen, towel and dry
clothes in the car to change into for the ride back home. Wear old shorts or a swim suit and
substantial, snug fitting footwear you don't mind getting wet and dirty. Old sneakers usually work well. Bare feet, flip-flops, slip-ons and
thin-soled “beach shoes” are not acceptable!
The usual charge for tube rentals is $15 per tube. However, if we bring ten or more people in
our group, the outfitter will charge us only $10 per tube, so please bring your
family and friends with you. Please
come on this outing yourself and bring others with you to help us have over ten
people in our group so that we are eligible for the discount.
Tube rental charge covers tube rental, transportation
upriver to put-in point, use of a life jacket and use of picnic area and
swimming area in river after lunch. All
participants are required to rent tubes from the outfitter for the tube float
itself, no exceptions. Please
do NOT bring your own tube!
Well-behaved, properly supervised
children age 7 and older able to handle themselves in a tube for two to three
hours on moving water are welcome and encouraged to come. Parents are advised of risks of wading and swimming
in sometimes deep water, and parents are responsible for all risks to their
children.
Please meet at the Leeds Highway 78 gravel
parking lot no later than 10:15 a.m.
We plan to depart promptly from there at 10:30 a.m. Arriving 15 minutes before departure time
will allow time to use the restrooms at the service station, hear announcements
concerning the day’s event, and form carpools from the parking lot. If you are not at the meeting place at the
designated departure time, you will be on your own at the tube float. Please
be on time ready to go at the meeting place!
Please eat breakfast before you arrive at the meeting place,
and come with a full tank of gas if you intend to drive.
After the tube float and depending
on the time we finish, we may go to a restaurant in Oxford for an optional
dinner. If you would like to wash up
and/or have dinner with us at the restaurant after the tube float, please bring
a change of clothes and a towel.
Outfitter has a Porta Potty where you can change. Better than that, hot showers are available
for $5.00 at a truck stop by Interstate 20.
If you would like to shower, wash up and/or have dinner with us at the
restaurant after the tube float, please bring a change of clothes and your
shower things.
Reservations Required: You must email seoutings@bellsouth.net or call
Dan Frederick, 205/631-4680 if you plan to come on this outing. Please advise your name and telephone
number. You may leave a message on
Dan’s answering machine or voice mail if you wish. If you are also making a reservation for someone else coming with
you, please give the NAME of that person.
Don’t just say, “My daughter, my friend, my wife”.
If you have made a reservation to participate and then decide to cancel,
please be absolutely sure to call and notify the trip leader. Don’t just tell your friend if you intend to
cancel!!
Please do not just show up for this outing at the meeting place without
making advance reservations! And if you
decide to meet us at some place other than the meeting place specified in this
announcement, please notify Dan in advance and directly of this fact.
Note for Kayak and Canoe Trips
The kayak and canoe outings listed
above are suitable for beginner/novice canoeists and kayakers, but each
beginner canoeist must paddle with an experienced canoeist. Life jackets are required and must be
worn. You are responsible for finding
your own boat. Bring your own boat,
borrow one, paddle with a friend, or rent from the outfitter listed for that
trip.
Two people just showed up for a
river trip we had in 2015 without notifying the leader that they were
coming. This created considerable
confusion and delay. The outfitter had
to make a second trip from the put in back to his office and bring two more
boats to the put in because the total number of people who showed up that
morning was two more than the number which the leader had given to the
outfitter the day before. If you plan to participate in this trip,
please be sure you make a reservation with the trip leader in advance.
Please bring in the boat your
picnic lunch, something to drink, and a towel. Put your belongings in a
waterproof dry bag in the boat. Wear
old shoes you don’t mind getting wet (old sneakers work well). Also bring at least 6 feet of sturdy cord to
tie up your boat. If you have further
questions, please call the trip leader.
When you make your reservation
with the trip leader, please be absolutely certain to provide ALL of the following
information:
1.
Whether you want to kayak or canoe
2.
Whether you are renting a kayak from the outfitter or
bringing your own boat
3.
Your name
4.
Your telephone number or email address
5. If you are also making a reservation for someone else coming
with you, please give the NAME of that person.
Don’t just say, “My daughter, my friend, my wife”.
6.
If you are canoeing, please give your skill level.
7.
If you have already selected a canoe partner and you are
making a reservation for your partner, too, please give the name and skill
level of your partner.
8. Please do NOT just show up at the meeting place
without making an advance reservation!!
9. And if you have made a reservation to participate and
then decide to cancel, please be absolutely sure to call and notify the trip
leader at least two hours before the departure time from the meeting place. Don’t just tell your friend if you intend to
cancel!!
JULY 4, THURSDAY, 6:30 p.m.
4th of July Picnic
Where: Bartow Arena Park
Details: Please bring your own blanket or chairs and all your
picnic supplies: food, drinks (no alcohol, please), cups, ice, utensils,
etc. Look for the SEO signs. SEO people will assemble to the right of the
dragon statue (as you face the band) right where the grass ends and the
concrete floor leading to the entrance to the arena begins. Well-behaved children, but no dogs, are
welcome.
Reservations: Not required.
JULY 4, THURSDAY, 7:00 p.m.
FREE 4th of July Band Concert Followed by City of Birmingham
Fireworks
Where: Bartow Arena Park
Details: Band concert by the UAB Summer Band. This large group of carefully auditioned and
selected student and professional musicians is an outstanding concert
band. Please bring your own blanket or
chairs. SEO people will assemble to
the right of the dragon statue (as you face the band) right where the grass
ends and the concrete floor leading to the entrance to the arena begins. Look for the Southeastern Outings
signs. When the concert ends,
conveniently enjoy clearly viewing the Birmingham City Fireworks from the
picnic area. Well-behaved children, but
no dogs, are welcome.
Reservations: Not required
Info: Dan Frederick, seoutings@bellsouth.net or 205/631-4680
JULY 4, THURSDAY, After the Concert and Fireworks
Potluck Dessert Get-Together
Where: Bartow Arena Park
Details: Southeastern Outings
people will stay at the Bartow Arena Park for a while after the fireworks are
concluded, avoiding all the exiting traffic congestion. Then we will enjoy good company and food. You are encouraged to invite one or several
guests to come with you since this event is one of the best SEO events for
introducing yourself (if you are not already a member) and your friends to the
group. Please bring a small dessert
with you to share with the group. SEO
will provide a table to set out desserts plus plates, napkins, forks and
spoons. We suggest you also bring your
own drink (no alcohol, please) with you.
Well-behaved children, but no
dogs, are welcome.
No Charge
Reservations: Not required
Info: Dan Frederick, seoutings@bellsouth.net or 205/631-4680
JULY 6, SATURDAY, Meet 9:45 a.m.
Canoe and Kayak Outing, Big Wills Creek near Gadsden, Alabama.
Details: This will be Southeastern
Outings’ seventh canoe and kayak trip on Big Wills Creek. This is a scenic stretch of river located in
a very rural area. This stretch is
fairly easy and without classified rapids.
Along the river we’ll see wildflowers and stop to investigate islands
and beaches. Forty-six SEO people
participated in this very popular outing in 2015.
Novice canoeists are welcome and
may come on this trip, but each novice canoeist must be partnered with an experienced canoeist in their canoe.
Please note that for this trip you
may rent canoes or one person sit-upon plastic kayaks and paddles from Big
Wills Outfitters. Rental fees include
life jackets and shuttle service. Also
the outfitter will shuttle for a fee all private boats used on this
outing. If you wish to rent a boat from
Big Wills Outfitters, please call the outfitter BEFORE July 6 at 256/438-7172
to reserve your boat. Tell the
outfitter you are boating with Southeastern Outings.
Please note that the outfitter has only 7 canoes and 57one-person
sit-upon kayaks and 4 tandem (2-person) sit-upon kayaks for rent, so be sure
you call to reserve early. Once all
their boats of one type or the other are reserved for July 6, there will be no
more boats of that type available to rent!
If you rent a boat from this
outfitter, the outfitter will take you and your rented boat to the put in, and
you will take out at the outfitter’s property so you will never need to
transport your rented boat at all. Life
jackets, paddles and shuttle fee are included in the rental boat fee for those
who rent boats from the outfitter. You
may bring your own canoe or kayak on this trip, but you must pay the outfitter
to shuttle your privately-owned boat.
For more information about the outfitter and photos of the creek, please
visit their website www.facebook.com/bigwillsoutfitters
When we arrive at the outfitter’s,
you will sign a waiver, pay your shuttle or boat rental fee, use the restroom,
and then eat lunch in the picnic pavilion at the outfitter’s. After you finish lunch the outfitter will
transport ALL the boaters and their boats, both rented and owned, to the put
in. We will then paddle down the creek
to the take out, stopping as often as we want to.
Well-behaved, properly supervised
children age 10 and over welcome.
After the canoe and kayak trip we
are planning to go to a restaurant in Gadsden for dinner. If you would like to have dinner with us at
the restaurant after the kayak and canoe trip, please bring a change of
clothes. A changing room is available
at the outfitter’s.
Reservations Required: You must contact Dan Frederick, email seoutings@bellsouth.net or call 205/631-4680 if you plan to come on this
kayak and canoe trip. You may
leave a message on Dan’s voice mail if you wish.
Please meet 9:45 a.m. at the
Applebee’s in Trussville. We plan to
depart from there at 10:00 a.m. For
more essential information about this trip, please see Note for Canoe Trips
below.
Info. and trip leader: If you have further questions,
please call or email Dan Frederick, seoutings@bellsouth.net or
205/631-4680.
JULY 13, SATURDAY, Meet 9:45 a.m.
Easy River Float, Picnic, Swim, Short, Moderate Dayhike
Where: Locust Fork from Swann Bridge to Powell Falls near
Cleveland, AL
Details: Easy river float on the Locust Fork River. Float in the river from Swann Covered Bridge
to Powell Falls. We’ll view a genuine,
old but newly refurbished wooden covered bridge. Then we’ll float under the bridge and further, about a mile and a
half, downstream to the waterfall.
We’ll also view the sheer cliffs that rise about 60 feet above the
river. So enjoy a flowing river, covered
bridge, high rock bluffs and at least one waterfall—all along a one mile
stretch of this river. Bring something
to float on such as an inflatable vinyl float or air mattress. Substantial, fabric-covered, inflatable, vinyl, rectangular floats like you use to ride the waves at the Gulf work
best. See float note below for
information about acquiring floats.
Also please bring a picnic lunch,
drink, towel and sunscreen. Pack these items in 2 plastic garbage bags with
twist ties, one bag over the other.
Then put the bags in your daypack and strap the pack to your back. This keeps your things dry and prevents them
from floating away. Wear swimsuit and
sturdy foot protection. Old sneakers
work well. Bare feet, flip-flops, slip-ons and thin-soled “beach shoes” are not
acceptable!
Lunch will be on the huge flat
rock in the middle of the river beside the waterfall. Have fun swimming in the pool at the base of the rock, jumping
into the pool, climbing up and down or just sitting in Powell Falls. We will walk back to the bridge on a trail
along the river. You must be able to swim to participate in this outing!
Well-behaved, properly supervised
children age 7 and up able to swim welcome,
but parents are responsible for all risks to their children.
Spring floats, passenger car and pick up truck tire tubes and inflatable
boats are not permitted on SEO river floats! A spring float is a flotation device
consisting of an inflatable outer oval with a small, few inch diameter cross
section and a large mesh interior. The last
time a woman tried to float down this river with us on a spring float (now that
I know what it is called), I had to order two high school football players in
our group to wade out into the river immediately to seize her and her spring
float in order to prevent her from being swept over the big waterfall. Those spring floats are meant for floating
in swimming pools and on lakes in still water, not for floating the Locust Fork
River. They are difficult to steer and therefore unsafe for use on
Southeastern Outings river floats.
Bring a friend or several if you
wish. Please be at the Cleveland
Chevron Service Station no later than 8:45 a.m. ready to depart promptly at
9:00 a.m. Arriving 15 minutes before
departure time will allow time to use the restrooms at the service station,
hear announcements concerning the day’s event, and form carpools from the
Chevron. Parking is extremely limited
at the put in point on the river.
Info: Dan Frederick, seoutings@bellsouth.net or 205/631-4680
Float Note
Substantial, fabric-covered, inflatable, vinyl, rectangular floats like you use to ride the waves at the Gulf work
best. Trip leader Dan Frederick
has floats 60 inches long for sale for $12 each ONLY at the start of outings Dan attends. We regret that at this time we have been
unable to find a source where we can buy more of the longer 72-inch
canvas-covered floats. Please pay
either with exact change or a
check made out to SEO. First come,
first served.
Here is an alternative to carrying
your lunches, water, towel and sunscreen in a pack on your back. You can
bring with you four 6-7 foot lengths of sturdy cord. Place your pack with
your things in it in the middle of the foot of your float. Lash the pack
to your float with two of the cords, one passing around the float and through
the top of the straps and the other passing around the float and through the
bottom of the straps of your pack. Pass the other two cords over the top
of your pack and under the float and tie them down tightly. Then lie on your float with the pack sort of
between your knees with your feet splayed out at the bottom corners of your
float. Using this method eliminates your having to float down the river
for several hours on your belly with a pack on your back, and it also gives you
the option of turning over and lying on your back in the slower-moving sections
of the river in order to change your body position and float more
comfortably. If you are an adult, this method of fastening your pack to
your float works only if you are using a 72-in long rectangular float. Either method of transporting your pack is
satisfactory and acceptable. But I learned that people like it when you
give them choices. In any case, your lunches, etc. should be double
bagged (or placed in a waterproof canoe bag) inside your pack.
JULY 20, SATURDAY, Meet 8:45 a.m.
Swimming, Boating, Picnic, Lake Activities
Where: Lake Martin near
Alexander City, Alabama
Details: We are most fortunate that Vickie and Don Albrecht, previous owners of A-1 Print and Copy
Center which has printed SEO newsletters for us for many years, have invited us
to enjoy a lake outing at their lake house on Lake Martin. The center of our activities will be the
shore of a secluded cove on the lake by the Albrecht house. You can swim, float, kayak, canoe, sail (if
someone brings a sailboat) and probably go for motorboat rides courtesy of Don
Albrecht. Please bring your swim
things, river shoes, picnic lunch, drink, towel, small boat (if you have one and
are willing to bring it) and a change of clothes. See float note below for information about acquiring floats.
Optional dinner after at a
specialty deli near the lake.
Meet 8:45 a.m. from the parking
lot of the Publix in
The Village at Lee Branch in Greystone.
We plan to depart from there at 9:00 a.m.
Well-behaved, carefully supervised
children age 10 and older welcome, but parents are responsible for all risks to
their children.
Reservations: Not required
JULY 27, SATURDAY, Meet 9:45 a.m.
Kayak/Canoe Trip, Tallapoosa River at Heflin, Alabama
Details: The section we will paddle is relatively easy with no
classified rapids. This is a scenic
stretch of river located in a very rural area.
Forty-four SEO people participated in this very popular outing in
August, 2011.
Please note that for this trip you
may rent one or two-person sit-upon plastic kayaks and paddles at the take out
from Tallapoosa River Outfitters.
Rental fees include life jackets and shuttle service to the put-in. Also the outfitter will shuttle for a fee all
private boats used on this outing. If
you wish to rent a kayak from Tallapoosa River Outfitters, please call Dan
Frederick, 205/631-4680. Dan will relay
your reservation on to the outfitter. Please note that the outfitter has only 19
one-person sit-upon kayaks and 5 tandem (2-person) kayaks for rent, so be sure
you call to reserve early. Once all
their boats of one type or the other are reserved for July 27, there will be no
more boats of that type available to rent!
Outfitter boat rental charges are $27 for solo kayaks, $47 for
tandem kayaks and canoes shuttle charge of $12 per boat for owned boats.
Please see note for canoe trips
below for more general information.
After the canoe and kayak trip we
are planning to go to a restaurant on the way back for dinner. Hot showers are available for $5.00 at a
truck stop by Interstate 20. If you
would like to shower, wash up and/or have dinner with us at the restaurant
after the canoe trip, please bring a change of clothes and your shower things.
Meet 9:45 a.m. at the Leeds
Highway 78 gravel parking lot. We lan
to depart from there at 10:00 a.m.
Reservations Required: You must contact trip leader Dan
Frederick, seoutings@bellsouth.net or phone 205/631-4680 if you plan
to come on this canoe/kayak trip. Please
advise your name, telephone number, skill level, whether you want to kayak or
canoe and whether you are bringing or wish to rent a kayak and whether you need
a paddling partner. You may leave a
message on Dan’s voice mail if you wish.
Info: If you have further questions, please contact Dan Frederick,
205/631-4680 or seoutings@bellsouth.net.
Note for Kayak and Canoe Trips
The kayak and canoe outing listed
above is suitable for beginner/novice canoeists and kayakers, but each beginner
canoeist must paddle with an experienced canoeist. Life jackets are required and must be
worn. You are responsible for finding
your own boat. Bring your own boat,
borrow one, paddle with a friend, or rent from the outfitter listed.
Two people just showed up for a river
trip we had in 2015 without notifying the leader that they were coming. This created considerable confusion and
delay. The outfitter had to make a
second trip from the put in back to his office and bring two more boats to the
put in because the total number of people who showed up that morning was two
more than the number which the leader had given to the outfitter the day
before. Please don’t let this happen
again!
Please bring in the boat your
picnic lunch, something to drink, and a towel. Put your belongings in a
waterproof dry bag in the boat. Wear
old shoes you don’t mind getting wet (old sneakers work well). Also bring at least 6 feet of sturdy cord to
tie up your boat. If you have further
questions, please call the trip leader.
When you make your reservation
with the trip leader, please be absolutely certain to provide ALL of the following
information:
1.
Whether you want to kayak or canoe
2. Whether you are renting a kayak from the outfitter or
bringing your own boat
3.
Your name
4.
Your telephone number or email address
5. If you are also making a reservation for someone else coming
with you, please give the NAME of that person.
Don’t just say, “My daughter, my friend, my wife”.
6.
If you are canoeing, please give your skill level.
7.
If you have already selected a canoe partner and you are
making a reservation for your partner, too, please give the name and skill
level of your partner.
8. Please do NOT just show up at the meeting place
without making an advance reservation!!
9. And if you
have made a reservation to participate and then decide to cancel, please be
absolutely sure to call and notify the trip leader at least two hours before
the departure time from the meeting place.
Don’t just tell your friend if you intend to cancel!!
