MAY 4, SATURDAY, Meet 9:45 a.m.
Southeastern Outings Kayak and Canoe Trip, Locust Fork River
Details: 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 many times previously, is fairly easy and without classified rapids. Along the river we’ll see lots of 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 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, southeasternoutings@gmail.com or phone 205/631-4680 BEFORE May 4 to reserve your boat.
If you want to come on the May 4 SEO kayak and canoe trip AND you are renting a boat from the outfitter at the site of the trip, in this instance you are required to call or contact ONLY the trip leader and notify him that you are coming! Dan will 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 May 4, there will be no more kayaks available to rent!
This outfitter does not have canoes to rent. However, Dan Frederick’s daughter, Aree, currently has canoes which she is offering to rent to people who want to canoe on this trip and who do not have their own canoes. The charge for renting a canoe from Aree is $50 per boat. Southeastern Outings will pay the $15 per boat shuttle service fee for people renting canoes from Aree. Again, please notify Dan Frederick, southeasternoutings@gmail.com or phone 205/631-4680 BEFORE May 4 to request a rental canoe if that is what you want. We will do our best to fulfill your request.
Please do NOT just show up at the meeting place on May 4 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 the outfitters listed.
Please bring with you 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 canoe if you don’t already have rope attached to your own canoe. If you have further questions, please call the trip leader.
For more essential information about this trip, please see Note for Kayak and Canoe Trips at the end of this calendar.
Please meet at 9:45 a.m. at the Cleveland Chevron Service Station. We plan to depart from there at 10:00 a.m.
Reservations Required: You are required to contact Dan Frederick by email southeasternoutings@gmail.com 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. and Trip Leader: If you have further questions, please contact Dan Frederick, southeasternoutings@gmail.com or call 205/631-4680.
MAY 11, SATURDAY, please meet 8:00 a.m.
Southeastern Outings Kayak and Canoe Trip on the Elk River near Elkmont, Alabama
Details: The six-mile section we will paddle is easy with no obstructions. This is a scenic stretch of river located in a very rural area.
Novice canoeists are welcome and may come on this trip, but each one must be partnered with an experienced canoeist in their boat.
Please note that for this trip you may rent one person sit-in plastic kayaks and paddles for $20 per person or you may rent two-person canoes also for $20 per person from Flint Creek Canoe and Kayak Rental. Please note that this outfitter currently has NO sit-upon kayaks to rent.
If you rent a boat from this outfitter, the outfitter will bring your rented boat to the put in and meet you there. He will also meet you at the take out, so you will never need to transport your rented boat at all. Shuttle fee, paddles, and life jacket are included in boat rental fee for those who rent boats from the outfitter.
If you wish to rent a kayak or canoe from the outfitter, please notify Dan Frederick, southeasternoutings@gmail.com or phone 205/631-4680 BEFORE May 11 to reserve your boat.
If you want to come on the May 11 SEO kayak and canoe trip AND you are renting a boat from the outfitter at the site of the trip, in this instance you are required to call or contact ONLY Dan Frederick and notify him that you are coming! Dan will inform the outfitter how many rental kayaks and canoes he will need to provide to SEO people for this trip.
Also, the outfitter will charge a $20 per person fee for all privately-owned boats, be they canoes or kayaks, used on this outing.
This is a new outfitter for Southeastern Outings. Both of the two Elk River outfitters we used previously closed their businesses. However, we will still boat on the same stretch of the Elk River as we have done previously.
Note that the outfitter is giving us a $5 per person discount off his regular prices if we bring more than 5 people in our group. We have always had many more than 5 people on our kayak and canoe outings, so we are quoting the rates we anticipate being charged on this outing.
Children able to swim and age 10 and over welcome.
After the kayak/canoe trip we will go for dinner at an excellent Italian restaurant in Athens, Alabama. If you would like to have dinner with us at the restaurant after the kayak and canoe trip, please bring your things to clean up with and a change of clothes. After the kayak and canoe outing is completed we plan to schedule a stop at the Alabama Welcome Center a few miles south of the Tennessee/Alabama State Line. You will be able to change clothes and wash up there in relative comfort if you wish.
Please meet 8:00 a.m. at the Jacks parking lot near the Hayden/Corner Park and Ride. We plan to depart from there at 8:15 a.m.
Reservations Required: You must call Dan Frederick, 205/631-4680 or email souheasternoutings@gmail.com 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 are planning to meet the group initially at the put in 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 put in.
Please do not make it necessary for Dan to contact you concerning information which you have already received in this announcement and the notes below.
Info. and trip leader: If you have further questions, please call Dan Frederick, 205/631-4680 or email southeasternoutings@gmail.com.
MAY 16, THURSDAY, please meet 9:45 a.m.
Southeastern Outings Leisurely Weekday Cahaba Lily Walk
Where: Hargrove Shoals, Cahaba National Wildlife Refuge, along the Cahaba River in Bibb County
Details: Please come with us on a THURSDAY to see the largest display of blooming Cahaba lilies in the world, acres and acres of them spread out over the water in the river. These lilies are a sight to behold! In places, it often looks like it has snowed on the river in May.
Over seven miles of the Cahaba River lie within the Refuge boundary. The rolling uplands surrounding the river are forested with mountain longleaf and loblolly pines. Mixed upland hardwood species line ravines and the river's edge.
The largest known stand of the imperiled shoals lily (known locally as the Cahaba lily) also occurs within the Refuge. During May and June, this beautiful plant blooms, and people come from across the region to view this magnificent display of nature. Twenty people participated in a previous Southeastern Outings-sponsored weekday Cahaba lily walk in 2021. We were pleased with the turnout then. For your information, in addition to this Thursday, May 16 event, Southeastern Outings has also scheduled an additional Cahaba Lily walk to this area on Saturday, May 18, 2024.
The hike is about five miles round trip. The walking pace for this hike will be moderately easy. We’ll stop often to catch our breath and note views, trees, birdsongs, the trail and woods and lilies around us. Happy hiking!
Wear sturdy footwear you don’t mind getting wet and dirty. Old sneakers work well. You’ll want to put on your river shoes so you can walk out into the shallow parts of the river to stroll through and touch the lilies which grow only in the water. You’ll also need to wear your river wading shoes to wade through Caffee Creek in order to be able to walk to where you can view the largest stand of lilies at Hargrove Shoals.
Bare feet, flip-flops, slip-ons and thin-soled “beach shoes” are not acceptable!! You may wear your sturdy river shoes for the entire trip if you wish. Please bring picnic lunch and your drink. Two hiking poles are strongly recommended to provide additional stability when wading in the river.
Please meet 9:45 a.m. at the McDonald’s Galleria. We plan to depart from there at 10:00 a.m.
Info. and Trip Leader: Dan Frederick, 205/631-4680 or email southeasternoutings@gmail.com
MAY 18, SATURDAY, 9:45 a.m.
Southeastern Outings Cahaba Lily Walk, Hargrove Shoals along the Cahaba River in Bibb County
Details: Please come with us to see the largest display of blooming Cahaba lilies in the world, acres and acres of them spread out over the water in the river. These lilies are a sight to behold! In places, it often looks like it has snowed on the river in May.
Over seven miles of the Cahaba River lie within the Refuge boundary. The rolling uplands surrounding the river are forested with mountain longleaf and loblolly pines. Mixed upland hardwood species line ravines and the river's edge.
The largest known stand of the imperiled shoals lily (known locally as the Cahaba lily) also occurs within the Refuge. During May and June, this beautiful plant blooms, and people come from across the region to view this magnificent display of nature.
Well-behaved, properly-supervised children age 7 and over welcome.
The hike is about five miles round trip.
Rated easy. Wear sturdy footwear you don’t mind getting wet and dirty. Old sneakers work well. You’ll want to put on your river shoes so you can walk out into the shallow parts of the river to stroll through and touch the lilies which grow only in the water. Bare feet, flip-flops, slip-ons and thin-soled “beach shoes” are not acceptable!! You may wear your sturdy river shoes for the entire trip if you like. Please bring picnic lunch and your drink. Hiking poles are strongly recommended to provide additional stability when wading in the river.
Please meet at 8:45 a.m. at the McDonald’s Galleria. We plan to depart from there at 9:00 a.m.
Info. and hike leader: Dan Frederick, 205/631-4680 or southeasternoutings@gmail.com
MAY 25, SATURDAY, Picnic at 7:00 p.m. Concert begins at 7:30 p.m.
FREE Alabama Symphony Orchestra (ASO) Concert
Where: Railroad Park situated along 1st Avenue South, between 14th and 18th Streets South in downtown Birmingham
Details: Thanks to the generous support of sponsors, the ASO is excited to play a free series of concerts in Birmingham's Railroad Park! Enjoy music under the stars with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra.
Please join us for this special concert which promises to yield a great evening of fun. Relax on the lawn with your blanket or lawn chair. If you’d like to eat with us, please bring your picnic (no glass or alcohol allowed) to enjoy at 7:00 p.m. Concert itself begins at 7:30 p.m.
To find the group, please look for the Southeastern Outings people near the walkway on the railroad side (far side of park away from 1st Avenue South) of the park. You are welcome to bring as many friends and family members as you wish.
Admission: FREE
More Info: Please call the ASO office, 205/251-6929 or Dan Frederick, 205/631-4680
