A fun Southeastern Outings kayak and canoe trip on Section 1 of the Locust Fork River in Blount County.  This stretch, which several of us have canoed previously, is fairly easy and without classified rapids.  Along the river we’ll see wildflowers and stop to investigate islands and beaches.

Novice canoeists are welcome and may come on this trip, but each one must be partnered with an experienced canoeist in their canoe. 

Please note that for this trip you may rent one person sit-upon plastic kayaks and paddles for $30 each from Eric Nolen.  Rental fees include life jackets and shuttle service.  Also the outfitter will charge a $10 fee for all private boats be they canoes or kayaks used on this outing. 

If you wish to rent a boat from Eric Nolen, please call the outfitter BEFORE July 1 at 205/429-5455 to reserve your boat.  Tell the outfitter you are boating with Southeastern Outings.  Please note that the outfitter has only 70 one-person kayaks for rent, so be sure you call to reserve early.  Once all their solo kayaks are reserved for July 1, there will be no more kayaks available to rent!

If you want to rent a canoe for this outing, we suggest that you contact UAB Adventure Recreation (formerly Outdoor Pursuits). See UAB canoe rental note below for more information.  You will also be required to pay a shuttle fee to the outfitter if you bring on this trip a boat rented from UAB Adventure Recreation. 

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

Depart 9:00 a.m. from the Cleveland Chevron Service Station. 

Reservations Required: You are required to contact Dan Frederick by email seoutings@bellsouth.net or call 205/631-4680 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 contact Dan Frederick, seoutings@bellsouth.net or 205/631-4680.

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 the outfitter listed or from UAB Adventure Recreation, 205/996-4913.

If you want to come on an SEO kayak and canoe trip AND you are renting a boat from the outfitter at the site of the trip, you are required to call BOTH the outfitter to reserve your boat AND ALSO contact the trip leader, too, and notify him/her 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. 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!!

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 Adventure Recreation website address is:

http://studentaffairs.uab.edu/CampusRecreation/equipment.html

DIRECTIONS TO MEETING PLACE

Cleveland Chevron-36320 AL Highway 79, Cleveland, AL 35049. From Birmingham drive to Exit 128 on I-20/I-59.  This is one exit west of the Birmingham Airport exit off I-59/I-20.  It is marked Tallapoosa Street which IS AL Highway 79.  Coming from downtown Birmingham, as you get to the bottom of the exit ramp, get in the right lane.  The ramp curves to the right and then actually merges with AL Highway 79 headed north towards Cleveland.  So bear slightly to the right at the end of the ramp.  If you are coming westbound from the Birmingham Airport area to exit 128, you will make a right turn onto Tallapoosa Street at the light at the end of the exit ramp.  Regardless of the direction from which you come, STAY ON THE VERY WIDE, MAIN CITY STREET WHICH IS TALLAPOOSA STREET.  In either case, do not make any turns off of Alabama Highway 79 until you get to Cleveland.  Take AL 79 about 34 miles to the traffic light in Cleveland, Alabama at intersection with AL 160. Chevron service station is at far right of that intersection.

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.