June and July Activities

 See  COVID 19 Pandemic Information at End of Events

JUNE 10, SATURDAY, please meet 9:45 a.m.

Southeastern Outings River Beach Walk, Swim and Picnic at Barton’s Beach in Perry County, Alabama

Details: Barton’s Beach, the largest sand and gravel beach on the entire Cahaba River, is a property owned by the Alabama Nature Conservancy.  It is indeed a beautiful sight to behold!  Enjoy a beach gathering on this scenic, fine-grained sand beach in Marion, Alabama.  The scenery is spectacular.  The floodplain broadens and creates areas of bottomland hardwood forests, oxbow lakes and extensive sand and gravel bars.

You can float on the river from the upper end of the beach to the lower end of the beach and then carry your float and walk on the beach back up to the upper end and repeat that real fun experience as many times as you like during the day.  You may bring whatever flotation device you wish on this outing.  Dan will bring a float air pump to the beach.  See float note below for information about flotation devices. 

Note-To view photos of what we will see on this trip, please click on this link:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/pU10HMGLRVZt0iXw1

Please be sure to click on the link and view the photographs.

 Please bring with you your swimsuit, towel, picnic lunch and water, soft drink or fruit juice to drink.  Wading shoes with substantial soles are recommended.  A change of clothes (dry underwear also advised) to be left in the car is also recommended if you would like to wear dry clothes for the drive home and/or to go out to dinner with us.    

A restroom is available at Perry Lakes County Park where we’ll park our cars. 

The approximate 1/3-mile walk from the Perry Lakes Park parking lot to Barton’s Beach is easy since the terrain is level and the walk is all on trails.  Interpretive nature trails (fire lanes and primitive paths) make walking through the woods fairly easy and fun.  The two properties adjoin each other so we can walk readily back and forth between them. 

Well-behaved, carefully supervised children age 7 and older able to swim are welcome, but parents are responsible for all risks to their children.  All participants must be able to swim to come on this outing!

          Depending on the time we leave the beach, we might go for an optional dinner after the outing is concluded.

Please meet 9:45 a.m. at the McDonald’s Galleria.  We plan to depart from there at 10:00 a.m.

Info: 

Dan Frederick, email southeasternoutings@gmail.com or phone 205/631-4680

 

River Float Note

 

Substantial, fabric-covered, inflatable, vinyl, rectangular floats like you use to ride the waves at the Gulf of Mexico work best.  Trip leader Dan Frederick now has for sale 72-inch floats for $23 each and 60-inch floats for children for $15 each at the start of each of our river floats.  Please pay either with exact change or a check made out to SEO.  First come, first served.

          Dan will provide hand float pumps to pump up your float at the start point of the river float.

 

DIRECTIONS TO MEETING PLACE

McDonald’s Galleria-1731 Montgomery Highway, Hoover, AL 35244. Parking lot behind the McDonald’s Restaurant across U.S. 31 from the main entrance to the Riverchase Galleria Shopping Mall.

 

JUNE 13, TUESDAY, Meet 8:45 a.m.

Southeastern Outings Canoe and Kayak Trip probably with dinner after

Where: Terrapin Creek near Piedmont, Alabama


Click for More Pictures

Details:  Please plan to come on a relaxing kayak and canoe trip on Terrapin Creek in Calhoun County near Piedmont, Alabama.  The section we will paddle is relatively easy with one class I classified rapid (which you can portage around if you prefer).  This is a scenic stretch of creek located in a very rural area.  Twenty-four Southeastern Outings people participated in this popular outing on May 18, 2019.

Please note that for this trip you may rent one person sit-upon plastic kayaks for $25 each from Terrapin Outdoor Center.  Rental fees include shuttle service, paddles and life jackets.  Also the outfitter will shuttle for a $10 fee per boat all private boats used on this outing.  If you wish to rent a boat from Terrapin Outdoor Center, please call the Center BEFORE June 13 at 256/447-6666 to reserve your boat.  Please be sure you tell the Center you are boating with Southeastern Outings.  Please note that the outfitter has only 100 one-person sit-on-top kayaks for rent, so be sure you call to reserve early.  Once all their kayaks are reserved for June 13, there will be no more kayaks available to rent!

This outfitter no longer has canoes to rent.  However, Dan Frederick’s daughter, Aree, has a few canoes which she may offer to rent to people who want to canoe on this trip and who do not have their own canoes.  Again, please notify Dan Frederick, southeasternoutings@gmail.com or phone 205/631-4680 BEFORE June 13 to request a rental canoe if that is what you want.  We will do our best to fulfill your request.  If you rent a canoe from Aree Frederick, Southeastern Outings will pay your canoe shuttle fee.

After the canoe and kayak trip we are planning to go to a pleasant restaurant in Piedmont for an optional dinner.  If you would like to wash up and/or have dinner with us at the restaurant after the kayak and canoe trip, please bring a change of clothes and a towel.  Outfitter has four changing rooms.  Two are changing rooms only with no toilets or washbowls, and two are restrooms with washbowls, toilets and running water, but no showers. 

Reservations Required: You must email souhesternoutings@gmail.com or call Dan Frederick, 205/631-4680 if you plan to come on this outing.  Please advise your name, telephone number, skill level, whether you are bringing a canoe or kayak or you wish to rent a kayak or canoe.  You may leave a message on Dan’s voice mail if you wish.  If you want to come on the June 13 kayak and canoe trip AND you are renting a kayak from the outfitter at the site of the trip, you are required in this instance to call the BOTH the outfitter to reserve your boat AND ALSO contact Dan Frederick to notify him that you are coming!  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.

          Meet 8:45 a.m. at Applebee’s Restaurant Trussville.  We plan to depart from there at 9:00 a.m.  For more essential information about this trip, please see Note for Kayak and Canoe Trips below.

Info. and Trip Leader: If you have further questions, please call Dan Frederick, 205/631-4680 or email southeasternoutings@gmail.com.


 JUNE 17, SATURDAY, Meet 9:45 a.m.

Southeastern Outings Kayak and Canoe Outing, Big Wills Creek near Gadsden, Alabama. 


Click for More Pictures

Details: This will be Southeastern Outings’ fourteenth kayak and canoe 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 and one or two-person (tandem) sit-upon plastic kayaks and paddles from Big Wills Outfitters.

Here is the schedule of outfitter charges:

 

1.     solo kayaks each $30

2.     canoes and tandem kayaks $50 each

3.     shuttle fee per boat for owned rather than rented boats $10

 

  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 Saturday, June 17 at 256/538-3226 to reserve your boat.  Tell the outfitter you are boating with Southeastern Outings.  Please note that the outfitter has only 5 canoes and 57 one-person sit-upon kayaks and 5 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 June 17, 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 area 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 hopefully planning to go to a restaurant in Gadsden for dinner.  Our going to dinner depends on what time we finish boating.  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 southeasternoutings@gmail.com 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.

If you want to come on the June 17 kayak and canoe trip AND you are renting a boat from the outfitter at the site of the trip, you are required in this instance to call the BOTH the outfitter to reserve your boat AND ALSO contact Dan Frederick to notify him that you are coming!  Please do not just show up for this outing at the meeting place without making advance reservations!  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 Kayak and Canoe Trips below.

Info. and trip leader: If you have questions or would like additional information about this outing, please call Dan Frederick 205/631-4680 or email southeasternoutings@gmail.com

 

Note for Kayak and Canoe Trips

The kayak and canoe outing listed in the announcement above is suitable for beginner/novice canoeists and kayakers, but each beginner canoeist must paddle with an experienced canoeist.  Life jackets or personal flotation devices are required and must be worn.  Bring your own boat, borrow one, paddle with a friend, or rent a kayak or canoe from the outfitter listed above.

          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 or canoe from the outfitter or bringing your own boat (kayak or canoe)

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.     If you have made a reservation to participate and then decide to cancel, please be absolutely sure to call and notify the trip leader 1 ½ hours or more before the event departure time.  Don’t just tell your friend if you intend to cancel!!

10.                         If you have made a reservation for a friend whom you have invited to come on this trip and your friend is not coming, you must notify the leader of this cancellation 1 ½ hours or more before the event departure time!  No-shows cause considerable logistical complications for the leader and for the outfitter!   


JUNE 24, SATURDAY, please meet 8:45 a.m.

Southeastern Outings Kayak and Canoe Trip, Chattooga River near Gaylesville, Alabama

Details: This will be Southeastern Outings’ second group trip on the Chattooga River.  Seven Southeastern Outings members kayaked and canoed this stretch of river on an initial scouting trip September 23, 2022.  Everyone who participated agreed that this part of the river is easy to negotiate and highly suitable for boaters of varying abilities to paddle.  The service provided by the outfitter was outstanding. 

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.  

Please note that for this trip you may rent plastic kayaks and paddles from Tooga Yaks.

Here is the schedule of outfitter charges:

 

1.    solo sit-upon kayaks each $30.  Kayak rental fee includes rent of the kayak, life jacket and paddles.

2.    shuttle fee per boat for owned rather than rented boats $10 

 

Please note that the outfitter has for rent about 70 one-person sit-upon kayaks. 

The outfitter takes most all types of payment including cash, credit/debit cards, Venmo, cash app and checks. 

This outfitter does not have canoes to rent.  However, Dan Frederick’s daughter, Aree, has a few canoes which she may offer to rent to people who want to canoe on this trip and who do not have their own canoes. 

Again, please notify Dan Frederick, southeasternoutings@gmail.com or phone 205/631-4680 BEFORE June 25 to request a rental canoe if that is what you want.  We will do our best to fulfill your request.  If you rent a canoe from Aree Frederick, Southeastern Outings will pay your canoe shuttle fee.

Rental fees include paddles, life jackets and shuttle service.  Also, the outfitter will shuttle for a fee all private boats used on this outing.  If you rent a boat from this outfitter, the outfitter will shuttle you and your rented boat from the outfitter’s office to the put in 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.  

When we arrive at the outfitter’s, you will sign a waiver, pay your shuttle or boat rental fee, and use the restrooms.  Then the outfitter will transport all our people and our boats, both rented and owned, to the put in.  We will then paddle down the river to the take out, stopping as often as we want to.  We will take out at the outfitter’s place where our cars are. 

We plan to go for an optional dinner on the way back to Birmingham.  Our outfitter has recommended a good place near his office, 10-15 minutes away, in Cedar Bluff. It’s called Smorgasbord at the Cove. It’s located on Weiss Lake and serves a variety of food such as steak, pasta, shrimp, southern cuisine, and homemade desserts.

If you would like to wear dry clothes for the drive home or in order to go to dinner with us, please bring a change of clothes to be kept in the car.  You may change clothes in the outfitter’s exceptionally clean, spacious restrooms complete with toilets, washbowls, running water, showers, and plenty of floor space.

Reservations Required: You must contact Dan Frederick, email southeasternoutings@gmail.com 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 do not just show up for this outing at the meeting place without making advance reservations! 

Please meet 8:45 a.m. at the Applebee’s in Trussville.  We plan to depart from there at 9:00 a.m.  For more essential information about this trip, please see Note for Kayak and Canoe Trips below.

Information: If you have questions or would like additional information about this scouting trip, please call Dan Frederick, 205/631-4680 or email southeasternoutings@gmail.com

 

Note for Kayak and Canoe Trips

The kayak and canoe outings listed in the announcements above are suitable for beginner/novice canoeists and kayakers, but each beginner canoeist must paddle with an experienced canoeist.  Life jackets or personal flotation devices are required and must be worn.  Bring your own boat, borrow one, paddle with a friend, or rent a boat from the outfitter(s) listed.

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, thick-soled 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 don’t already have cord attached to your own boat.  If you have further questions, please call the trip leader.

 

JULY 1, SATURDAY, Meet 8:45 a.m.

Southeastern Outings River Float

Where: Sipsey Fork River

Details: Easy river float on the Sipsey Fork River from the Mims Family Access location at the AL Highway 33 Bridge to near County Highway 2.  We’ll float downstream from just below the Highway 33 Bridge for about three miles.  Along the way we’ll view high cliffs and overhanging hemlock trees. So enjoy a flowing river, high rock bluffs and a beautiful river—all along a three 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 or to your float.  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! 

        We’ll stop for lunch probably at a beach along the river.  Have fun floating and swimming with us in one of Alabama’s most scenic rivers.  You must be able to swim to participate in this outing!

Well-behaved, properly supervised children age 9 and up able to swim welcome, but parents are responsible for all risks to their children. 

Spring floats and inflatable boats are not permitted on this SEO river float!  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 Sipsey Fork River.  They are difficult to steer and therefore unsafe for use on Southeastern Outings river floats.

You are welcome to bring a friend or several if you wish.  Please be at the Kmart Green Springs no later than 8:45 a.m. ready to depart promptly at 9:00 a.m. or at the Jacks in Double Springs at 10:20 a.m.

Please note that we may have to cancel this outing if the water level Friday, June 20, in the Sipsey Fork River is too low to float.  So please be sure to check your emails or call Dan Frederick, 205/631-4680 the evening of Friday, June 30 or early the morning of Saturday, July 1, to ascertain whether we are going on August 21 or not.

Info: Dan Frederick, southeasternoutings@gmail.com or 205-631-4680

 

 River 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 now has 60-inch-long inflatable floats for sale for $15 each, and finally, after six years, Dan has 72-inch floats for $23 each available ONLY at the start of the river floats.  Please pay either with exact change or a check made out to SEO.  First come, first served.

        Dan will provide hand float pumps to pump up your float at the start point of the river float.

 

JULY 4, TUESDAY, 6:30 p.m.

Southeastern Outings 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 stage 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.

Info: Dan Frederick, seoutings@bellsouth.net or 205/631-4680

 

JULY 4, MONDAY, 7:00 p.m.

Southeastern Outings Attends 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 stage 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, MONDAY, After the Concert and Fireworks

Southeastern Outings 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 8, SATURDAY, Meet 9:45 a.m.

Southeastern Outings River Beach Walk, Swim and Picnic at Barton’s Beach in Perry County, Alabama

Details: Enjoy a beach gathering on a beautiful, fine-grained sand beach in Alabama.  The scenery is spectacular.  The area is an extensive sand beach on the Lower Cahaba River.  The floodplain broadens and creates areas of bottomland hardwood forests, oxbow lakes and extensive sand and gravel bars.

You can float on the river from the upper end of the beach to the lower end of the beach and then carry your float and walk on the beach back up to the upper end and repeat that real fun experience as many times as you like during the day.  You may bring whatever flotation device you wish on this outing.  Dan will bring a float air pump to the beach.  See float note below for information about flotation devices. 

Please bring with you swimsuit, towel, picnic lunch and water, soft drink or fruit juice to drink.  Wading shoes with substantial soles are recommended.  A change of clothes (dry underwear also advised) to be left in the car is also recommended if you would like to wear dry clothes for the drive home and/or to go out to dinner with us.   

Restrooms are available at Perry Lakes County Park where we’ll park our cars.  The approximate 1/2 mile hike to Barton’s Beach is easy since the terrain is level and the walk is all on trails.

We will also offer an optional opportunity to climb on stairs to the top of the Perry Lakes Park viewing tower, a rebuilt fire tower with gorgeous views high above the tallest treetops in the area.       

Well-behaved, carefully supervised children age 7 and older able to swim are welcome, but parents are responsible for all risks to their children.  All participants must be able to swim to come on this outing!

         Depending on the time we leave the beach, we might go for an optional dinner after the outing is concluded.

Please meet 8:45 a.m. at the McDonald’s Galleria.  We plan to depart from there at 9:00 a.m.

Info: Dan Frederick, seoutings@bellsouth.net or 205/631-4680

 

JULY 15, SATURDAY, Meet 9:45 a.m.

Southeastern Outings Kayak/Canoe Trip, Tallapoosa River at Heflin, Alabama

Details: The section we will paddle is relatively easy.  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.  Novice canoeists are welcome and may come on this trip, but each one must be partnered with an experienced canoeist in their boat.

        The trip length is about 7 miles long.  There are two relatively easy class I rapids on this stretch. 

Please note that for this trip you may rent one or two-person sit-upon plastic kayaks at the take out from Tallapoosa River RV and Outdoor Center

Here is the schedule of outfitter charges:

 

1.    solo sit upon kayaks each $30

2.    tandem (two-person) sit upon kayaks each $50

3.    shuttle fee per owned boat $10

 

Boat rental fees include paddles, 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 rent a boat from this outfitter, the outfitter will shuttle you and your rented boat to the put in 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. 

If you wish to rent a boat from this outfitter, please call Dan Frederick, 205/631-4680.  Dan will relay your reservation on to the outfitter.  Please note that the outfitter has only 40 one-person sit-upon kayaks and 10 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 15, there will be no more boats of that type available to rent!

This outfitter does not have canoes to rent.  However, Dan Frederick’s daughter, Aree, has a few canoes which she may offer to rent for $50 per canoe to people who want to canoe on this trip and who do not have their own canoes.  Again, please notify Dan Frederick, southeasternoutings@gmail.com or phone 205/631-4680 BEFORE July 15 to request a rental canoe if that is what you want.  We will do our best to fulfill your request.  If you rent a canoe from Aree Frederick, Southeastern Outings will pay your canoe shuttle fee.

 When we arrive at the outfitter’s, you will sign a waiver, pay your shuttle or boat rental fee, use the restroom, and then the outfitter will transport all of us and our boats upriver to the put in.  We will then paddle down the creek to the take out where our cars are at the outfitter’s, stopping as often as we want to.

        For more general information please see note for canoe trips below. 

After the canoe and kayak trip we are planning to go to a restaurant on the way back for dinner.  Showers are available at the outfitter’s place.  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.

Please meet 9:45 a.m. at the Leeds Highway 78 gravel parking lot.  We plan to depart from there at 10:00 a.m.  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.

Reservations Required: You must contact trip leader Dan Frederick, southeasternoutings@gmail.com 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.  Please do not just show up for this outing without making advance reservations!

Information and Trip Leader: If you have further questions or would like additional information, please contact Dan Frederick, 205/631-4680 or email southeasternoutings@gmail.com.

 

Note for Kayak and Canoe Trips

Life jackets or personal flotation devices 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 a kayak or canoe from the outfitters listed above.         

        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.

 

JULY 22, SATURDAY, Meet 8:45 a.m.

Southeastern Outings Waterfall Walk, Stream Wade and Long Swims

Where: South Caney Creek in the Bankhead National Forest

Details: Join us for hikes to two beautiful waterfalls on South Caney Creek.  We’ll swim at both of the falls.  These falls are exceptionally lovely.  We’ll walk through the woods to one waterfall, stop, have lunch overlooking the waterfall and swim there and get underneath the waterfall if you wish.  Then we’ll wade for about a mile IN the creek to a second, larger waterfall where we’ll swim and stand under the waterfall again if you like.  Then we’ll walk from that second waterfall through the woods back to the cars. 

You are assured of staying cool when you swim in the two stream pools, stand or lie down under one or both of the waterfalls and wade in South Caney Creek! Twenty-two people participated in this very popular outing in July, 2017.

This outing is rated moderately strenuous because the walks through the woods from the cars to the first waterfall we’ll see and from the second waterfall back to the cars are off trail through the woods in some sections and there are some short, steep hills to climb up and go down along the way.

        If you think that you may want to come home before this group outing is completed, please don’t come on this outing.  In order to prevent traffic congestion at the usual public trail head, our vehicles will be parked at a remote location during the entire outing.  Outing participants will probably not be able to walk unguided back to their cars before the outing is completed. The walk through the woods portion is partially off trail.

For the hikes through the woods we recommend that you wear long pants.  This will reduce your contact with ticks and chiggers and prevent your legs from being scratched.  You may wear hiking boots or sturdy water or wading shoes for the in-woods walks.  We strongly recommend that you bring two sturdy hiking poles for wading in the creek.  Using poles as you walk in the stream will substantially reduce the chance of your falling!

For the creek wade portion of this trip please wear old shorts or a swim suit and sturdy footwear you don’t mind getting wet and dirty.  Old sneakers work well.  Bare feet, flip-flops, loose slip-ons and thin-soled “beach shoes” are not acceptable!  Also bring a towel along with your picnic lunch and water.

        After the outing we are planning to go to a restaurant for an optional dinner.  If you would like to have dinner with us at the restaurant and if you would like to wash up and change clothes for dinner, we suggest that you bring soap, a washcloth, towel and a complete change of clothes with you to be kept in the car during the hike.  After the outing is completed, you can wash up and change clothes in the spacious restrooms at the restaurant in Double Springs. 

Well-behaved, properly-supervised children age 7 and over welcome.  Please meet 8:45 a.m. at the Floor and Décor Store on Green Springs Highway in Homewood.  We plan to depart from there at 9:00 a.m. or you may meet the group at 10:30 a.m. at Jacks in Double Springs.

Info: Dan Frederick, southeasternoutings@gmail.com or 205/631-4680

 

JULY 29, SATURDAY, Meet 9:15 a.m.

Southeastern Outings Easy River Float

Where: Locust Fork River from near River Road to the Mount Olive Road Bridge

Details: Easy river float on the Locust Fork River.  Float in the river about 3.8 miles downstream to the new Mount Olive Road Bridge possibly stopping at river beaches along the way.  Bring something to float on such as an inflatable vinyl float or tube.  See float note below for information about flotation devices.

        Also please bring a picnic lunch with you from home or pick your lunch up BEFORE you arrive at the meeting place.  Please do not make lots of people wait while you take time to buy lunch or have your lunch prepared after you arrive at the meeting place at 9:15 a.m.  Also please bring your 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 tie your pack to your float.  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 at a convenient stopping place along the river.  Have fun swimming in the pools in the river along the way.  We will walk for about 15-20 minutes through the woods to get from River Road to the start point of our float.  We will provide a shuttle for drivers from the end point back to the start point before we start paddling.  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 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 River.  They are difficult to steer and therefore unsafe for use on Southeastern Outings river floats.

Please bring a friend or several if you wish.  Please meet at the Wal-Mart Gardendale parking lot no later than 9:15 a.m. ready to depart promptly at 9:30 a.m.  Arriving 15 minutes before departure time will allow time to use the restrooms in the Wal-Mart, purchase a float from Southeastern Outings if you want to buy one, hear announcements concerning the day’s event, and form carpools from the Wal-Mart. 

Please note that reservations are NOT requested or required for this event!

Info: Dan Frederick, seoutings@bellsouth.net or 205/631-4680

 

River Float Note

Substantial, fabric-covered, inflatable, vinyl, rectangular floats like you use to ride the waves at the Gulf of Mexico work best.  Now, after six years, trip leader Dan Frederick finally has 72-inch-long inflatable floats for sale for $23 each.  Dan also has 60-inch-long inflatable floats for sale for $15 each.  These floats are available ONLY at the start of Southeastern Outings river floats.  Please pay either with exact change or a check made out to SEO.  First come, first served.

        Dan will provide hand float pumps to pump up your float at the start point of the river float.

  


 Revised Southeastern Outings Covid 19 Pandemic Information

Most of you are already familiar with the stay-at-home
orders issued by the Governor of Alabama.

 The Governor stated, “A person may leave his or her place of residence to participate in outdoor activity so long as the person maintains a consistent six-foot distance from other persons.

 Notice of Southeastern Outings Precautionary Measures Concerning Covid 19 Virus

 Southeastern Outings assures all our outings participants that we strongly desire to protect your health during this critical time.  You may make your own decisions about what to do to protect yourselves, but the following measures are what we strongly suggest.  We recommend taking the following measures.

 We ask our participants to maintain a reasonable social distance, usually 6 or more feet, between yourself and other people.  We recognize that this may not always be possible, but we encourage you to keep some distance from others as much as possible.

 We will have outing announcements, but we ask you to try insofar as possible to maintain a distance of six feet between yourself and others while the announcements are given.  Dan will try to project his voice effectively in such instances, and please, please do not converse with others while announcements are being made.

 Optional potluck dinner parties will be cancelled until further notice.

 In any case, of course, if you have flu-like symptoms (fever, aches or pains in the joints and respiratory system problems) please stay at home and do not come on outings with us!  This is just common sense. 

 We want to point out that walking in the woods outdoors where there are not many other people present is considerably safer at this time than being in crowds of people or in heavily populated public places.  Participating in our events will give you opportunities to be in the outdoors, get some beneficial exercise, and do something you enjoy with other people while still allowing you to  easily and conveniently maintain safe social distancing.