This stretch, which Southeastern Outings is canoeing and kayaking for the first time, is rated moderately easy and without classified rapids.  Along the river we may see lots of wildflowers, perhaps some Cahaba lilies, and we’ll probably stop to investigate islands and beaches.

Living River, a nonprofit affiliated with the Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley, has developed a camp and environmental center on the Cahaba River.  On May 19 Southeastern Outings people will kayak and canoe starting from the Boothton Ford which is a few miles upriver from Living River.  We’ll paddle for about 6.0 miles downriver to the Williams Takeout on the Living River property.

Living River, a tree-covered point nestled in a deep bend in the Cahaba River, preserves a mix of hardwoods and older trees that were once typical of Alabama’s river bottoms but elsewhere have been logged and replaced with faster-growing pines. The site is 440 acres in size, and because of its unique location, it fronts four miles of the river.

The Cahaba River itself – the longest free-flowing river in Alabama – preserves a remarkable and fragile biodiversity, including an incredible variety of freshwater mussels, turtles, snails, and crayfish, as well as more fish species per mile than any other river in North America. The globally significant biodiversity of the Cahaba has been widely recognized by conservation groups and scientists.

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 at the put-in from Living River two-person canoes for $15 each (cash or check only, no credit cards accepted).  Rental fees include paddles, personal flotation devices and transportation of your rented boat.  If you wish to rent a canoe from Living River, please notify Dan Frederick, seoutings@bellsouth.net or phone 205/631-4680 BEFORE 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 17 to reserve your boat.  Dan will then inform Living River how many rental canoes the camp will need to bring to the put-in for SEO people for this trip.  Please note that the outfitter has only 17 canoes to rent and NO kayaks for rent, so be sure you call to reserve early.  Once all their canoes are reserved for May 19, there will be no more canoes available to rent!

You may bring your personally-owned canoe or kayak and participate in this outing if you wish.  Southeastern Outings will run our own shuttle for those who bring personally-owned boats.

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 McDonald’s Galleria parking lot.

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 kayak and canoe trip.  Please advise your name, telephone number, skill level, whether you are bringing a canoe or kayak or wish to rent a canoe from the camp and, if canoeing, 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 in the announcement above is 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 canoe (but not a kayak) from Living River.

          Please bring in the boat your picnic lunch, something to drink, a towel and a complete change of clothes including underwear. If you get wet during the day, 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:

1. Whether you want to kayak or canoe
2. Whether you are renting a canoe from the outfitter or bringing your own boat
3. Your name
4. Your telephone number or email address
5. 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”.
6. If you are canoeing, please give your skill level.
7. 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.
8. Please do NOT just show up at the meeting place without making an advance reservation!!
9. 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!!

DIRECTIONS TO MEETING PLACE

McDonald’s Galleria-1731 Montgomery Highway, Hoover, AL 35244. Parking lot behind the McDonald’s Restaurant across U.S. 31 from the main entrance to the Riverchase Galleria Shopping Mall.

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 about 300 members.  We scheduled eighty events during calendar year 2017 for an average of 7 fun events per month.  We enjoy the outdoors in all seasons throughout the year.  Nineteen  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.