This will be Southeastern Outings’ eleventh kayak and canoe trip on Big Wills Creek.  This is a scenic stretch of river located in a very rural area.  This stretch is fairly easy and without classified rapids.  Along the river we’ll see wildflowers and stop to investigate islands and beaches.  Forty-six SEO people participated in this very popular outing in 2015.  Estimated distance we’ll be paddling on the creek on October 2 is about 6.6 miles.

Note-To view photos of what we will see on this trip, please click on these links:

https://picasaweb.google.com/117487739902236300578/BigWillsCreek?authuser=0&feat=directlink

AND

https://photos.app.goo.gl/aVJwHx3ftnehkZk12

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

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

Please note that for this trip you may rent canoes and one or two-person (tandem) sit-upon plastic kayaks and paddles from Big Wills Outfitters.

Here is the schedule of outfitter charges:

solo kayaks each $30
canoes and tandem kayaks $50 each
shuttle fee per boat for owned rather than rented boats $10

Rental fees include life jackets and shuttle service.  Also the outfitter will shuttle for a fee all private boats used on this outing.  If you wish to rent a boat from Big Wills Outfitters, please call the outfitter BEFORE Saturday, October 2 at 256/538-3226 to reserve your boat.  Tell the outfitter you are boating with Southeastern Outings.  Please note that the outfitter has only 5 canoes and 57 one-person sit-upon kayaks and 5 tandem (2-person) sit-upon kayaks for rent, so be sure you call to reserve early.  Once all their boats of one type or the other are reserved for October 2, there will be no more boats of that type available to rent! 

If you rent a boat from this outfitter, the outfitter will take you and your rented boat to the put in, and you will take out at the outfitter’s property so you will never need to transport your rented boat at all.  You may bring your own canoe or kayak on this trip, but you must pay the outfitter $10 to shuttle your privately-owned boat.  For more information about the outfitter and photos of the creek, please visit their website www.facebook.com/bigwillsoutfitters

When we arrive at the outfitter’s, you will sign a waiver, pay your shuttle or boat rental fee, use the restroom, and then eat lunch in the picnic area at the outfitter’s.  After you finish lunch, the outfitter will transport ALL the boaters and their boats, both rented and owned, to the put in.  We will then paddle down the creek to the take out, stopping as often as we want to.

Well-behaved, properly supervised children age 10 and over welcome.

After the canoe and kayak trip we are hopefully planning to go to a restaurant in Gadsden for dinner.  Our going to dinner depends on what time we finish boating.  If you would like to have dinner with us at the restaurant after the kayak and canoe trip, please bring a change of clothes.  A changing room is available at the outfitter’s.

Reservations Required: You must contact Dan Frederick, email seoutings@bellsouth.net or call 205/631-4680 if you plan to come on this kayak and canoe trip.  You may leave a message on Dan’s voice mail if you wish.

If you want to come on this 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 that you are coming! 

If you are planning to meet the group initially at the outfitter’s instead of at the designated meeting place near Birmingham, please tell Dan Frederick in advance that you are planning to meet the group at the outfitter’s.

Please meet 9:45 a.m. at the Applebee’s in Trussville.  We plan to depart from there at 10:00 a.m.  For more essential information about this trip, please see Note for Kayak and Canoe Trips below.

Info. and trip leader: If you have questions or would like additional information about this outing, please call or email 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 kayak from the outfitter(s) listed.

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, thick-soled 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 cord attached to your own boat.  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 and what kind or bringing your own boat (kayak or canoe)
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!!
If you have made a reservation to participate and then decide to cancel, please be absolutely sure to call and notify the trip leader 1 ½ hours or more before the event departure time.  Don’t just tell your friend if you intend to cancel!!
If you have made a reservation for a friend whom you have invited to come on this trip and your friend is not coming, you must notify the leader of this cancellation 1 ½ hours or more before the event departure time!  No-shows cause considerable logistical complications for both the trip leader and for the outfitter!

DIRECTIONS TO MEETING PLACE

Applebee’s Restaurant Trussville (coming from Birmingham)—4711 Norrell Drive, Trussville, AL 35173.  Take I-59 North to Exit #141 (Chalkville Mountain Road Exit).  Exit I-59 at Exit #141.  Drive to traffic light at far end of interstate exit ramp.  This is at intersection of the exit ramp and Chalkville Mountain Road. Turn right at the traffic light at the far end of exit ramp.  Drive to first road you come to on the left when you are on Chalkville Mountain Road. This is immediately after you pass a Texaco gas station on your left and a Shell gas station on your right.  Turn left there onto Norrell Drive.  Applebee’s Restaurant is on Norrell Drive directly behind the McDonald’s which faces Chalkville Mountain Road at the far left corner of that intersection.  There is no longer a stoplight at this 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 about 250 members.  We scheduled forty-six events during the six months ending May 31, 2021 for an average of EIGHT fun events per month.  We enjoy the outdoors in all seasons throughout the year.

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 per family or household.  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.