Southeastern Outings River Float, Picnic, Swim on the Locust Fork River in Blount County

We regret that we have had to cancel the Southeastern Outings tube float on the Tallapoosa River at Heflin scheduled for this coming, Saturday, August 31.  The water level in the river is too low to comfortably undertake this outing.  Also the water level is below the minimum required by the outfitter to put tubes on that river.  However, I and probably many of you receiving this notice want desperately to do something in the outdoors this weekend which enables us to get wet in cool water.

Therefore we have decided to substitute a river float in the Locust Fork River near the towns of County Line and Trafford relatively close to Warrior instead of our originally-planned tube float.

Details of the river float on the Locust Fork from Vaughn’s Bridge to the site of the former Dean’s Ferry Bridge 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, which we hope a great many of you do, please arrive at the Hayden/Corner Park and Ride parking lot 8:45 a.m. this coming Saturday.  We plan to depart from there at 9:00 a.m.

We will be floating from Vaughn’s Bridge (also called Blaylok Bridge) to the location of the previous Dean’s Ferry Bridge.  Please bring a picnic lunch, drink, towel, sunscreen and something to float on such as an inflatable vinyl float or air mattress.  Please see river float note below for information about floats.  You must be able to swim to participate in this outing!

Well-behaved, properly supervised children age 7 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 will see on this trip, please click on this link:

https://goo.gl/photos/czYHoPheUxfm7TDa9

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

Because parking at the take out is available for only 3 or so vehicles, we want people to carpool as much as possible from the meeting place in the morning.

Meet at 8:45 a.m. at the Hayden/Corner Park and Ride.  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

Float Note-Trip leader Dan Frederick has 60-inch long floats for sale at $12 each ONLY at the start of outings Dan attends.  Please pay either with exact change or a check made out to SEO.  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 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.  Substantial, fabric-covered, inflatable, vinyl, rectangular floats like you use to ride the waves at the Gulf work best.  These are the type of floats we strongly recommend for use on this outing.

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.

DIRECTIONS TO MEETING PLACE

Hayden/Corner Park and Ride—171 State Highway 160, Warrior, AL 35180. Exit 284 off I-65 North, take right on AL 160 at end of exit ramp, immediate right on U.S. 31 and then enter fenced parking lot on right.

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.