Southeastern Outings Canoe and Kayak Trip on the Tallapoosa River at Heflin, Alabama

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 boat from Tallapoosa River Outfitters, please call Dan Frederick at 205/631-4680 or email seoutings@bellsouth.net BEFORE September 23  to reserve your boat.  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 layaks are reserved for September 23 there will be no more kayaks available to rent!

Please note that this outfitter no longer has any canoes for rent.  If you want to paddle a canoe for this outing, we suggest that you buy one or borrow one from a friend.  Southeastern Outings has terminated its canoe rental agreement with UAB.

Please see note for canoe trips below for more 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.

Depart 9:00 a.m. from the Leeds Highway 78 gravel parking lot.

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 are either a) bringing a canoe or b) 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.

DIRECTIONS TO MEETING PLACE

Leeds Highway 78 gravel parking lot-6995 Parkway Drive, Leeds, AL 35094. Gravel parking lot on Highway U.S. 78 between the Chevron and Marathon service stations at the first Leeds exit, Exit number 140, off I-20 heading east (towards Atlanta) out of Birmingham. Turn RIGHT at the end of the exit ramp coming from Birmingham. See Chevron and Marathon stations on right immediately after first red light.

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 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 from the outfitter listed.

If you want to come on this SEO kayak and canoe trip AND you are renting a boat from the outfitter, you are required to call the the trip leader and notify him that you are coming!  No exceptions!  No ifs, ands or buts!

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 and complete change of clothes including underwear. If you get wet during the day and the water is cold, 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 from the outfitter 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!!

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 300 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.