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

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 stretch is fairly easy and without classified rapids.  Along the river we’ll see wildflowers and stop to investigate islands and beaches.

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

https://photos.app.goo.gl/QjLtZDiiFGJHWUof7

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

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

Here is the schedule of outfitter charges:

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

DIRECTIONS TO MEETING PLACE

Applebee’s Restaurant Trussville (coming from Birmingham)—4711 Norrell Drive, Trussville, AL 35173.  Take I-59 North to Exit #141 (Chalkville Mountain Road Exit).  Exit I-59 at Exit #141.  Drive to traffic light at far end of interstate exit ramp.  This is at intersection of the exit ramp and Chalkville Mountain Road. Turn right at the traffic light at the far end of exit ramp.  Drive to first road you come to on the left when you are on Chalkville Mountain Road. This is immediately after you pass a Texaco gas station on your left and a Shell gas station on your right.  Turn left there onto Norrell Drive.  Applebee’s Restaurant is on Norrell Drive directly behind the McDonald’s which faces Chalkville Mountain Road at the far left corner of that intersection.  There is no longer a stoplight at this intersection.

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.

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 250 members.  We scheduled eighty-seven events during calendar year 2022 for an average of 7 fun events per month.  We enjoy the outdoors in all seasons throughout the year.

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 southeasternoutings@gmail.com 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 our upcoming outings scheduled plus some brief, general information about Southeastern Outings, a membership application and 1500 lovely photographs from most of our outings.

Thank you.