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 lots of 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://goo.gl/photos/1Ngi3dWWLsgmadui6

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

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 at the put-in from River Beach Outfitters.  Rental fees include shuttle service.  Also the outfitter will charge a $15 fee for all private boats be they canoes or kayaks used on this outing.  If you wish to rent a kayak from the outfitter, please notify Dan Frederick, seoutings@bellsouth.net or phone 205/631-4680 BEFORE April 20 to reserve your boat.  Dan will then inform the outfitter how many rental kayaks he will need to provide to SEO people for this trip.  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 April 20, there will be no more kayaks available to rent!

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

Please meet at 8:45 a.m. in the Cleveland Chevron Service Station.  We plan to depart from there at 9:00 a.m.

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 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 in the announcement above is suitable for beginner/novice canoeists and kayakers, but each beginner canoeist must paddle with an experienced canoeist.

When you make your reservation with Dan, 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 kayak 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.

Please do NOT just show up at the meeting place on April 20 without making an advance reservation with Dan Frederick!! 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!!

Life jackets are required and must be worn.  You are responsible for finding your own boat.  Bring your own, borrow one, paddle with a friend, or rent from outfitter listed.  For the April 20 trip there IS an outfitter who rents kayaks only, but no canoes at the site.

Bring in the boat your picnic lunch and something to drink.  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 boat if you don’t already have rope attached to your own boat.  If you have further questions, please call the trip leader.

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.

If you want to completely avoid the detour due to the removal of I-59/I-20 in downtown Birmingham, an alternate route to the Cleveland Chevron from the Hoover and Vestavia area is to take I-65 North to Exit 284 marked for AL  160, Hayden/Corner, Park and Ride and Rickwood Caverns.  Turn right at end of exit ramp and drive on AL 160 17.6 miles all the way to the stoplight at AL 79 in Cleveland Alabama.  The Cleveland Chevron, our meeting place, will then be on your far left at 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 320 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.  Thirty-two people on average have participated in each hike during January 1, 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 several of our outings.

Thank you.