Southeastern Outings River Float on the Locust Fork River

We have changed the location for the September 7 river float.  The Locust Fork river float originally scheduled for September 7 from Vaughn’s Bridge to Dean’s Ferry took place August 31.  For September 7 we have scheduled another river float on the Locust Fork near Morris, Alabama in Jefferson County on a section we have never floated previously.

Details of the river float on the Locust Fork from a residence on Bailey Loop Road to another residence on Sharit Dairy Road are in the announcement below.

Please note that the meeting time and place have been changed.  If you want to come with us to float on the Locust Fork on Saturday, September 7, which we hope a great many of you do, please arrive at the Wal-Mart at 890 Odom Road in Gardendale at 8:45 a.m. this coming Saturday.  We plan to depart from there at 9:00 a.m.  Please meet us in the lobby of the Wal-Mart at the left entrance to the store as you face the front of the store.

SEPTEMBER 7, SATURDAY, Meet 8:45 a.m.

Southeastern Outings River Float, Picnic, Swim on the Locust Fork River in Jefferson County near Morris and Kimberly

Details: Easy river float on the Locust Fork River.  Have fun swimming and just sitting in the pools in the river. Four of us floated this section of the river for the very first time on Sunday, September 1.  The entire route is breathtakingly beautiful with tall trees lining both banks of the river for the entire length of this section.  There are no houses or buildings visible for the complete trip.  There is only one shallow spot on this river float.  The water is otherwise deep and slow moving.

We will be floating on the river for approximately 2.7 miles from a residence on Bailey Loop Road to another residence on Sharit Dairy Road.  Please bring a picnic lunch, drink, towel, sunscreen and something to float on such as an inflatable vinyl float or air mattress.  Swimming tubes and truck tire tubes would also probably be satisfactory also on this particular outing.  But please be sure that people riding in your tubes have arms long enough to reach into the water to paddle easily with their hands.  There is very little current on this part of the river.  You must paddle using your hands most of the time while on the water in order to move yourself and your flotation device from the start point to the end.  Please see river float note below for information about floats.  You must be able to swim to participate in this outing!

You will have to walk through the woods for about 15 minutes to get to the river to begin the float, and you’ll have to walk about 15 more minutes up a steep incline at the end to get from the river to the cars.  Well-behaved, properly supervised children age 9 and up welcome, but parents are responsible for all risks to their children.  Bring a friend or several if you wish.

Note-To view photos of what we have seen on a similar trip elsewhere on this same river, please click on this link:

https://goo.gl/photos/czYHoPheUxfm7TDa9

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

We want people to carpool as much as possible from the meeting place in the morning.

Please meet at 8:45 a.m. in the lobby at the left entrance of the Wal-Mart Super Center located at 890 Odom Road in Gardendale this coming Saturday.  We plan to depart from there at 9:00 a.m.

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

DIRECTIONS TO MEETING PLACE

Wal-Mart Super Center-890 Odum Road, Gardendale, AL 35071.  From Birmingham take

I-65 North to Exit 271, the first Gardendale exit.  Drive to the end of the ramp and turn right on to Fieldstown Road.  Stay in far right lane on Fieldstown Road.  When you come to the first stoplight at intersection with Odom Road, turn right.  Drive to the first traffic light on Odum Road.  Drive straight ahead at the light.  The Wal-Mart will be on your left after the traffic light and immediately past the Murphy’s service station.

Float Note-Trip leader Dan Frederick has now sold all of the 60-inch long floats he had for sale, and he is currently unaware of a source where he can purchase more to sell.  This Saturday Dan’s daughter may bring three 45-inch floats to sell for $10 each.  First come, first served.

We regret that at this time we have been unable to find a source where we can buy more of the 72-inch or 60-inch canvas-covered floats.

Please note that this is NOT a kayak and canoe trip.  We are floating on the river on inflatable, vinyl canvas surf riders or tubes.  Substantial, fabric-covered, inflatable, vinyl, rectangular floats like you use to ride the waves at the Gulf work best.  My daughter may also bring some vinyl tubes which she’ll offer for rent.

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.

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-two events during calendar year 2018 for an average of 7 fun events per month.  We enjoy the outdoors in all seasons throughout the year.  Twenty-two people on average have participated in each hike during the first four months of 2019.

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 most of our outings.

Thank you.