Southeastern Outings Canoe and Kayak Trip on the Sipsey Fork River

Scenic Southeastern Outings kayak and canoe kayak trip in the Bankhead National Forest just outside the lovely Sipsey Wilderness in Winston County, Alabama.  The river we will paddle is relatively easy with one class II rapid.  The river winds through high rock cliffs lined with overhanging hemlock trees.  This is one of the most scenic stretches of river your leader has ever canoed!  The scenery is inspiring. If you want to rent a canoe for this outing, we suggest that you contact UAB Outdoor Pursuits.  See UAB canoe rental note below for more information.          

After the canoe and kayak trip we are planning to go to a restaurant for an optional dinner.  For $2 you can shower and change clothes at a campground.  If you would like to shower and/or have dinner with us at the restaurant, please bring a change of clothes for dinner, your shower things and $2 exact change.

Depart promptly at 8:00 a.m. from the Floor Decor Store on Springs Highway in Birminghiam or 9:30 a.m. from Jacks in Double Springs.  For more essential information about this trip, please see Note for Kayak and Canoe Trips at the end of these announcements.

Reservations Required: You are required to contact Dan Frederick, 205/631-4680 or email seoutings@bellsouth.net, if you plan to come on this canoe/kayak 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. 

Info: If you have further questions, please call Dan Frederick, 205/631-4680 or seoutings@bellsouth.net.

For more essential information about this trip, please see Note for Canoe Trips at the end of this announcement.

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 UAB Outdoor Pursuits, 205/996-4913. Please bring in the boat your picnic lunch, something to drink, and a towel and complete change of clothes including underwear. If you get wet during the day, just slip off back into the woods and change into your dry clothes.  You’ll be very grateful that you brought them with you.  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 canoe if you don’t already have it attached to your own canoe or especially if you are renting a canoe.  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: Whether you want to kayak or canoe
Whether you are renting a boat or bringing your own boat
Your name
Your telephone number or email address
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 are canoeing, please give your skill level. 
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.
Please do NOT just show up at the meeting place without making an advance reservation!!
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.  Don’t just tell your friend if you intend to cancel!!

UAB Canoe Rental Info: UAB will rent two-person aluminum canoes for $20/day and two-person ABS Royalex canoes for $30.00 per day.  All rentals include two paddles and two life jackets plus racks (foam blocks and straps).  Pick up and drop off at Campus Recreation Center, 1501 University Boulevard.  Go to the back of the Recreation Center, ring the doorbell under the green awning at the single person door, or call the Outdoor Rental Outpost number on your cell phone, and they’ll open the garage door for you. Parking behind the Recreation Center is for loading only. Do not park in one of the five designated spaces. These are reserved for permit holders. Hours: M & F 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Tue, Wed, Thu 12:00 noon to 6:00 p.m.; Sat. 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, Sun. 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.  To incur charge for only one day for Saturday canoe trips, please pick up your canoe Friday between 4-6 p.m. and drop it off between 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Sunday.  Staff may be available to assist in loading and unloading your boat.  We suggest that you call to be sure the office is staffed before you drive over to pick up your rented canoe.  UAB is not responsible for the safety and security of the boat in your possession or on your vehicle at any time during the rental. Please note that you may pay for (using your credit or debit card) and therefore reserve your rental boat in advance via phone at (205) 996-4913 during the office hours given above up to 2 weeks in advance. Then you may pick up your boat the afternoon before the day of use and be sure your boat will be available.  UAB Outdoor Pursuits website address is: http://studentaffairs.uab.edu/CampusRecreation/equipment.html

DIRECTIONS TO MEETING PLACES

Floor Décor Store–230 Green Springs Highway, Homewood, AL 35209. In front of the far left side (as you face the front of the store) of the old KMart building, now the newly opened Floor Décor Store, between I-65 and Green Springs Highway just off Oxmoor Road in Homewood.  Next to the Burger King on Oxmoor Road.  

Jack’s Double Springs—15266 U.S. Highway 278, Double Springs, AL 35553. On U.S. Highway 278 about ¼ mile east of stoplight at intersection of Highways 278, 33 and 195.

DESCRIPTION OF SOUTHEASTERN OUTINGS

Do you wish you had friends who share your active lifestyle and enjoyment of outdoor activities?  Then become active with Southeastern Outings (SEO), a nonprofit organization committed and created to serve people who enjoy being active in the outdoors.  The organization plans, organizes and leads outings such as dayhikes, easy kayak and canoe trips, stream and waterfall walks, bicycle rides, lake events and other fun activities to beautiful sites in our natural environment.  From time to time we also sponsor potluck suppers and other socials.  All events and activities of the group are open to the public.  Participating in SEO activities is a splendid, simple way to make congenial new friends who enjoy the outdoors.

NO DOGS OR SMOKING ALLOWED, PLEASE, ON ANY SOUTHEASTERN OUTINGS EVENTS.

The organization currently has over 360 members.  We scheduled eighty-eight events during calendar year 2016 for an average of 7 fun events per month.  We enjoy the outdoors in all seasons throughout the year.  Twenty  people on average have participated in each outing since January 1, 2017. SEO does not charge for participation in any of its outings.  You do not have to be a member to participate in one or two SEO activities.  Dues are only $10.  Please contact Dan Frederick, President, 205-631-4680, or seoutings@bellsouth.net for more information and to obtain three free monthly newsletters with membership application and a complete description of all our outdoor events. Southeastern Outings now has a website.  Just go to seoutings.org to find announcements of all our upcoming outings scheduled plus some brief, general information about Southeastern Outings, a membership application and 1500 lovely photographs from several of our outings. Thank you.