November Activities 2024

 NOVEMBER 2, SATURDAY, please meet 10:45 a.m.

Southeastern Outings Dayhike, Richard Martin Trail (previously named Limestone Rail Trail), Elkmont, Alabama

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Details: This trail is located in extreme North Alabama just to the west of I-65 and a few miles south of the Tennessee-Alabama border.  The hike is rated easy.  We will hike a total of 5.3 miles.  There is much lovely scenery along the path that was once a part of the Tennessee and Alabama Central Railroad.

Walk on one of Alabama’s rails-to-trails conversion routes on an old railroad right of way.  This smooth trail is wide and level.  No hills on this trail.  On this particular hike you will be walking on a scenic trail which goes through fields, near houses and through the woods.  The trail winds through wetlands with wildlife and a great variety of birds.  On the trail you will pass the site of the Civil War Battle of Sulphur Creek Trestle.

Please bring your picnic lunch and drink with you.

Well-behaved, carefully supervised children age 8 and over able to walk 6 miles without complaining are welcome.

Optional restaurant dinner afterwards in Athens, Alabama.

Please meet 10:45 a.m. at the Hayden/Corner Park and Ride.  We plan to depart from there at 11:00 a.m.

Info. and Trip Leader: Dan Frederick, southeasternoutings@gmail.com,  phone 205-631-4680

 

NOVEMBER 7, THURSDAY, please meet 9:30 a.m.

Southeastern Outings dayhike

Where: Double Oak Park

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Details: First of all, please note that this location is NOT Oak Mountain State Park.  Double Oak Park is a new Shelby County park located on top of Double Oak Mountain and accessed from Shelby County Route 43 near Chelsea.

Double Oak Park is approximately 750 acres. Here’s a look at what you’ll find at the park:

  • Hiking trails
  • Mountain bike trails
  • Horseback trails
  • A picnic pavilion
  • Restrooms with running water

This park is owned and maintained by Shelby County.

        The park is located between Dunnavant Valley Road (County Highway 41) and Bear Creek Road (County Highway 43). The expansion of the Dunnavant Valley Greenway includes Double Oak Park, which features 8-9 miles of single-track trail that combines with the double track.                                                       Besides providing an option for recreation and a place for visitors to enjoy, the park will also preserve the land from development.                                          Chad Scroggins, Shelby County, County manager, stated, “Double Oak Park is an opportunity for the Shelby County Commission to invest in an outdoor recreation park for hiking, biking, trail running, and very soon, horseback trails. The park consists of 750 acres at the tail end of the Appalachian Mountain chain in Shelby County just outside of Chelsea on County Road 43. We are excited to offer this pristine piece of the outdoors so close to residential areas and employment centers on US 280.”                                                                       

Please bring picnic lunch and water with you.                                                 Please meet 9:30 a.m. at the Shelby County Highway 43 entrance to the park.

Info. And Trip Leader: Chris Heckemeyer, 205-979-5730


NOVEMBER 9, SATURDAY, please meet 8:40 a.m.

Southeastern Outings Cave Tour and Woodland Hike

Where:  Cathedral Caverns State Park, Woodville, Alabama

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Reservations Required

If you want to come on this outing, you must call trip leader Dan Frederick,

205-631-4680 before noon on Friday, November 1 so that we can abide by the Park’s group tour reservation deadline policy.  Please give Dan your name, telephone number including area code, and email address if you have one.  Cave tour admission fees for participants who register by this deadline will be compliments of Southeastern Outings.  This means that Southeastern Outings will pay your $15 cave admission charge provided that you make your reservation with Dan Frederick, trip leader, before noon on Friday, November 1.  If you try to make a reservation to come on this outing after the November 1 deadline, you will have to pay your own cave admission fee, and you risk being denied admission to the cave because the total number of people, including our group and all other people who want to come on the 11:00 a.m. tour on November 9 cannot be exceeded!

Details: Tour one of Alabama’s largest developed caves. After we arrive at the park, you can use the restrooms there.  We then are required to assemble together at 10:45 a.m. right outside the cave entrance for our tour which starts at 11:00 a.m. sharp.  The cave, which maintains a constant temperature of 60 degrees Fahrenheit, includes a very large entrance and several beautiful formations. 

The cave tour walk with tour guide is 1.5 miles in length and takes 1.5 hours.  Following the cave tour, we will enjoy having our lunches on the park porch, and then we will hike in the park through hardwood forests on gentle slopes and through grassy meadows.

Please bring your picnic lunch and water with you.

Optional dinner in Guntersville after the outing concludes.

            Please meet 8:40 a.m. at the Cleveland Chevron, 36320 AL Highway 79, Cleveland, AL 35049.  We plan to depart from there at 8:55 a.m. 

            Remember—Reservations for this outing are required before noon on Friday, November 1!!

Information and Trip Leader: Dan Frederick, phone 205-631-4680, email southeasternoutings@gmail.com


NOVEMBER 10, SUNDAY, please meet 12:45 p.m.

Southeastern Outings Second Sunday Dayhike in Oak Mountain State Park


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Details: Enjoy a moderate 4 to 5-mile walk in the woodlands near Birmingham on a Sunday afternoon.  This is an excellent outing for introducing your friends to Southeastern Outings and for making new friends who enjoy the outdoors.  Parts of this hike may be off the color-coded trails.  There will be some ups and downs.  

Well-behaved, properly supervised children age eight and up able to walk the distance of about 4 miles without complaining and complete the hike are welcome. 

Share an adventure!  Bring a friend.

Please meet at 12:45 p.m. in the Oak Mountain Park office parking lot.  We plan to depart from there at 1:00 p.m.

Please bring $5/person ($2.00 seniors) park admission fee plus your drink.

Info. and Trip Leader: Randall Adkins, 205/719-7719

 

NOVEMBER 14, THURSDAY, please meet 9:45 a.m.

Southeastern Outings Weekday hike

Where: Big Canoe Creek Nature Preserve, Springfield, Alabama

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Details: This will be Southeastern Outings’ second ever hike in this new nature preserve.  The property is located along a beautiful, tree-canopied section of St. Clair County Highway 9 within the city limits of Springville in north St. Clair County. The property encompasses hilly, forested terrain and aquatic riparian habitat in and near Big Canoe Creek.  Big Canoe Creek Nature Preserve consists of 422 acres of pristine meandering creek, lush forest, one-of-a-kind species, wildlife, stunning flora and trails of all kinds to be traveled.  Trails traverse this Alabama Forever Wild property in Springville, perfect for hiking, horseback riding, bird watching and mountain biking, paddling and a variety of other outdoor activities.

The Forever Wild Land Trust believes that this property presents a unique opportunity to serve as a focal point of sustainable regional economic and social activity while simultaneously helping to protect some of Alabama’s impressive aquatic biodiversity for generations to come.  Experience the Preserve’s biodiversity – from mountain laurel and native azalea to beech, red and sugar maple trees. Find hornbeams, black walnut, catalpa, butternut and bigleaf magnolia trees and perhaps, stands of river cane. 

The northern border spans about 2/3 mile of Big Canoe Creek, providing abundant creekside scenery and wildlife habitat. High points on the property afford views of the uppermost section of the Big Canoe Creek watershed, including beautiful, rural Canoe Creek Valley and the opposing ridges of Pine and Blount Mountains.

Take in the spectacular views of ridges, mountains and valley, or spot a rare bird soaring above.       Each sunrise seems to reveal a new perspective on nature’s many gifts found beneath the canopy’s trees or along the banks of this stunning creek that runs for 50 miles. And each sunset beckons visitors to savor the memories of the sights, sounds and the enveloping feeling of it all.  It is a true gift of nature for us all to enjoy, to experience and to be inspired.

The hike will be relatively easy.  We will be hiking on the Slab Creek Trail.  Total hike distance is about 2.6 miles. 

Admission to the park is free.  Please bring your picnic lunch and beverage with you. 

Please meet 9:45 a.m. at the Applebee’s in Trussville.  We plan to depart from there at 10:00 a.m.

Information and Trip Leader: Dan Frederick, email southeasternoutings@gmail.com or telephone 205-631-4680.

 

NOVEMBER 16, SATURDAY, please meet at 8:15 a.m. 

Southeastern Outings Dayhike

Where: Corral Shelter and Pebble Bluff Native American Shelters in the Bankhead National Forest


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Details: Moderate hikes to several spectacular sites in the Bankhead National Forest.  First, we’ll hike to the Corral Shelter. This is a large rock overhang which long ago served as a free barn to the owner of a stagecoach transportation owner.  He fenced off the entrance to the shelter and then put his horses and the stagecoach in the shelter each night after they had pulled the stagecoach on its various routes for the day.  Thus, they were always out of the rain overnight.  This shelter is fascinating to view and contemplate how it was once so very cleverly utilized.

Then we’ll hike from there to view two of the Pebble Area Bluff Shelters.  These are huge overhangs where Native Americans once lived and assembled for ceremonies and protection from the elements.  These shelters also served as a place where Native Americans hid out from the white men who were rounding up           Native Americans to force them to walk on the Trail of Tears from Alabama to Oklahoma.   Each shelter should have a waterfall drifting off the cliff at the top.  The beauty of each of these areas is breathtaking.  This is a trip to not be missed!

        Please bring picnic lunch and water.  Well-behaved children age ten and over able to walk over rugged terrain welcome. Optional dinner after.

        Please meet at 8:15 a.m. at the Floor and Décor Store parking lot, 230­­ Green Springs Highway in Homewood.  We plan to depart from there at 8:30 a.m.  Or you can meet the group at the Jack’s in Double Springs, 15266 U.S. Highway 278, Double Springs, AL, at 9:45 a.m.

Information and Trip Leader: Dan Frederick, phone 205/631-4680 or email southeasternoutings@gmail.com

 

NOVEMBER 23, SATURDAY, please meet 9:45 a.m.

Southeastern Outings Picnic Lunch and Moderate Dayhike

Where: Paul Grist State Park near Selma, Alabama


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Details: Paul Grist State Park is one of the state’s most uncrowded, yet scenic state parks containing hills, forests, fields and a large, beautiful, tree-lined lake. 

Prior to the dayhike we will get together at the smaller pavilion right near the park office to eat our picnic lunches.  Please bring your picnic lunch and also $3 per person ($2 for seniors age 62 and older) park admission and a beverage for yourself. 

Dayhike Details: Hike rated moderate.  There are only a few ups and downs.  Total hiking distance is approximately 5.5 miles.  We plan to walk all the way around the lake and then also walk on some additional trails in the park to make the drive time down and back worthwhile. 

Well-behaved, carefully supervised children age nine and over able to walk 6 miles without complaining are welcome.  Please bring your picnic lunch and drink, and wear sturdy footwear. 

Optional group restaurant dinner after the hike.  Reservations not required for this outing.

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 email southeasternoutings@gmail.com or telephone 205-631-4680

October Activities 2024

 OCTOBER 5, SATURDAY, please meet 9:00 a.m.

Southeastern Outings Dayhike

Where: Shoal Creek Park, Montevallo, Alabama

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Details: Southeastern Outings has planned a pleasant, easy 2 ½ to 3-mile hike with possible extension through fields and woods on a well-developed loop of trails in Shoal Creek Park, Montevallo's newest city park.  This 167-acre park has nine miles of trails already constructed and some less developed trails which we may also hike.  One trail does follow Shoal Creek for some distance.

On October 30, 2018, ten people participated in an SEO scouting trip there led by Shane Baugh, the Montevallo Parks and Recreation Director, and we were delighted at what we found.  We subsequently had successful hikes there for the entire group on December 22, 2018, March 9, 2019, May 14, 2020, November 21, 2020, March 17, 2021, December 8, 2021, November 12, 2022, and February 21, 2024.  We are especially pleased to note that twenty people participated in our November 21, 2020 hike in this park.

The park is located on both sides of Shoal Creek about 2 miles upstream from Orr Park where we have begun our past hikes on the Montevallo Parks Trail.

The restrooms and picnic pavilion in the park are now completely constructed and open for your use.

The park is located 1.1 miles south of American Village on AL Highway 119 in Montevallo.

Please bring your picnic lunch, water, and a hiking pole or two with you. 

Please meet at 9:00 a.m. in the parking lot behind the McDonald’s on U.S. Highway 31 at the Riverchase Galleria.  We plan to depart from there at 9:15 a.m. 

Admission to the park is free!

Information and Hike Leader: Dan Frederick, phone 205-631-4680, or

email southeasternoutings@gmail.com


OCTOBER 10, THURSDAY, please meet 10:00 a.m.

Southeastern Outings Leisurely Weekday Hike

Where: Lakeshore Trail, Western Extension

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Details: Please come with Southeastern Outings on our first hike on this new trail.  Take a stroll beside a serene Shades Creek.  Unlike the older part of the Lakeshore Trail which runs right along the side of a major highway, Lakeshore Drive,

this new section of the trail is secluded with no road or traffic beside it at all.  It is very scenic, running right beside Shades Creek for its entire length. 

        The new section goes from Columbiana Road to the new Trailhead just west of Wildwood Shopping across from John Carroll High School campus. The creek in Phase 2 undulates through the landscape and offers many attractive vistas of the creek from the trail. The way the landscape presents itself, it is hard to believe the trail is in the middle of a metropolitan area.  A detention pond, part of the Wildwood Development, is an attractive amenity along the way. 

Homewood Mayor Patrick McClusky summed up why this trail matters.

“Homewood is so excited about the new 1.4-mile pedestrian extension of the Greenway Trail. This addition allows more accessibility and further distance to our citizens and brings a trailhead to connect with another neighboring city.  Homewood continues to promote pedestrian friendly options, and the Greenway Phase II is just another shining example of why our city is at the forefront of this focus.”

        We will hike a total of 2.8 miles round trip on the trail from the Lakeshore Trail Western Extension parking lot to Columbiana Road and back.

        Please meet at 10:00 at the Lakeshore Trail Western Extension parking lot.  We plan to depart from there at 10:15 a.m.

Information and Trip Leader: Christine Heckemeyer, 205-979-5730

 

OCTOBER 12, SATURDAY, please meet 8:45 a.m.

Southeastern Outings Kayak and Canoe Trip, Flint River near Brownsboro, Alabama 



Details: This will be Southeastern Outings’ fifth group trip on the Flint River. 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. 

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

 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/2Akm1a1wJcXuZ1mj8

 

Please be sure to click on the link 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. 

The outfitter, TGL Adventures, has for rent 1 tandem canoe, 50 new one-person sit-upon kayaks, 6 tandem kayaks and 6 sit in solo kayaks.

We thank SEO member Wendy Plash for observing the signs for this outfitter while she was kayaking on the Flint River and then referring us to TGL Adventures. 

Here is the schedule of outfitter charges:

 

1.     solo kayaks (both sit-upon and sit-in) each $40

2.     tandem (2-person) canoes $60 each

3.     tandem sit upon kayaks $60 each

4.     shuttle fee per boat for owned rather than rented boats $15

Life jackets, paddles and shuttle fee are included in the rental boat fee for those who rent boats from the outfitter.  Also, the outfitter will shuttle for a fee all private boats used on this outing.  If you rent a boat from this outfitter, the outfitter will shuttle you and your rented boat from the take out back to the outfitter’s office 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 to shuttle your privately-owned boat. 

When we arrive at the outfitter’s, you will sign a waiver, pay your shuttle or boat rental fee, use the restrooms, and then we’ll put in the river at the outfitter’s.  We will then paddle down the river to the take out, stopping as often as we want to.  The outfitter’s vehicles will meet us at the take out and transport us and our boats back to the outfitter’s office where our cars are.

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

After the canoe and kayak trip we are going to a nearby restaurant for an optional dinner.  If you would like to wear dry clothes for the drive home or to go to dinner, please bring a change of clothes to be kept in the car.  The outfitter has changing rooms.  There is a shower you can use in one of the changing rooms.


Reservations Required: You must contact Dan Frederick, email southeasternoutings@gmail.com 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 the October 12 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 and what type of rental boats he will need to provide to SEO people for this trip.  Also, if you decide to meet us at some place other than the meeting place specified in this announcement, please notify Dan in advance and directly of this fact.

Please do not just show up for this outing without making advance reservations!  Please meet 8:45 a.m. at the Hayden/Corner Park and Ride.  We plan to depart from there at 9:00 a.m. For more essential information about this trip, please see Note for Kayak and Canoe Trips below.


Information and Trip Leader: If you have questions or would like additional information about this trip, please email Dan Frederick, southeasternoutings@gmail.com or phone 205/631-4680.

 

DIRECTIONS TO MEETING PLACE

Hayden/Corner Park and Ride—171 State Highway 160, Warrior, AL 35180. Exit 284 off I-65 North, take right on AL 160 at end of exit ramp, immediate right on U.S. 31 and then enter fenced parking lot on right.

 

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 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.

          Please bring in the boat your picnic lunch, something to drink, and a towel and 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 rope 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 boat 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!!

 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


OCTOBER 13, SUNDAY, please meet 1:45 p.m.

Southeastern Outings Second Sunday Dayhike in Oak Mountain State Park

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Details: Enjoy a moderate 4 to 5-mile walk in the woodlands near Birmingham on a Sunday afternoon.  This is an excellent outing for introducing your friends to Southeastern Outings and for making new friends who enjoy the outdoors.  Parts of this hike may be off the color-coded trails.  There will be some ups and downs.  

Well-behaved, properly supervised children age eight and up able to walk the distance of about 4 miles without complaining and complete the hike are welcome. 

Share an adventure!  Bring a friend.

Please meet at 1:45 p.m. in the Oak Mountain Park office parking lot.  We plan to depart from there at 2:00 p.m.

Please bring $5/person ($2.00 seniors) park admission fee plus your drink.

Info. and Trip Leader: Randall Adkins, 205/317-6969

 

OCTOBER 19, SATURDAY, Meet 9:45 a.m.

Southeastern Outings 10.6-Mile Bicycle Ride

Where: Chief Ladiga Trail, Piedmont, Alabama


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Details: Join friendly folks for a 10.6-mile bicycle ride on the Chief Ladiga Trail in the Piedmont, Alabama area.  Ride on Alabama’s first extended rails-to-trails conversion route on an old railroad right of way.  The trail we’ll be riding on is smooth, 8-10 feet wide and even paved.  There are no hills on this trail.  The trail is suitable for road bikes plus mountain, hybrid and urban bicycles.  Ride through towns, fields and picturesque woodlands.  No motorized vehicles are allowed on your trail!        

Bicycle helmets are required and must be worn.  Please bring a picnic lunch and drink.

        The pace of this bicycle ride will be leisurely.  From time to time we will stop bicycling just to enjoy the scenery and views from the four bridges over the creeks.  However, please note that this ride is 10.6 miles long.  We recommend that participants intending to come on this outing have bicycled at least a few times during the 30 days prior to October 26.   In order to be assured that you can ride comfortably on this trip you should probably be able to ride at an average speed of 8-12 miles per hour on level terrain.

There will be an optional restaurant dinner after the bicycle ride.  You will have an opportunity to wash up and change clothes in the Eubanks Welcome Center restrooms after the bicycle ride.  If you’d like to clean up and/or change clothes, please bring your soap and towel and/or change of clothes with you. 

Please meet 9:45 a.m. at the Applebee’s Restaurant in Trussville.  We plan to depart from there at 10:00 a.m. or meet 11:20 a.m. at the Eubanks Welcome Center on the Chief Ladiga Trail in Piedmont.

Reservations Required: If you want to come on this bicycle ride, please make a reservation with Dan Frederick, email southeasternoutings@gmail.com or phone

205-631-4680.  Also, if you have a bike rack which can hold more than one bicycle, please bring it with you to Piedmont in order to facilitate the required car shuttle and advise Dan that you are doing so.  We probably need to leave about two vehicles at the Eubanks Welcome Center in order to transport the drivers of all the remaining vehicles from the end point of the ride back to the start point to pick up their vehicles after the ride is concluded.

Information and Ride Leader: Dan Frederick, 205/631-4680, email southeasternoutings@gmail.com

 

OCTOBER 20, SUNDAY, please meet 2:00 p.m.

Southeastern Outings Weekday Hike

Where: Moss Rock Preserve


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Details: Explore a section of this 350-acre forested park in Hoover on a moderately strenuous 2-3 hour hike with some climbing up and walking down hills on Shades Mountain.  We’ll experience the preserve’s diverse natural features which include longleaf pine forests, huge boulders, grassy areas, outstanding views and several beautiful streams and waterfalls which hopefully will be running bountifully when we are there.  We recommend that you bring hiking poles with you on this hike if you have them.

        Please bring water to drink. 

Please meet 2:00 p.m. at the Moss Rock Preserve Parking Lot on Patton Chapel Road. We plan to depart from there promptly at 2:15 p.m.

Below is a link to the website for Moss Rock Preserve, where you can print a map of the trails in Moss Rock Preserve for use on this hike or on future hikes there on your own,

http://www.hooveral.org/219/Hiking-Map-Trail-Guide

Information and Trip Leader:  David Shepherd, 205/240-4681

OCTOBER 26, SATURDAY, please meet 8:45 a.m.

Southeastern Outings Dayhike: Cahaba River Park in Western Shelby County north of Montevallo

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Details: The Cahaba River is among the most scenic and biologically diverse waterways in the United States, and the public now has access to a portion of the river in Shelby County.  Work is underway on the Cahaba River Park, a 1,500-acre site near the Bibb County line in western Shelby County.  Please come with us for our fifth, moderately easy 3 to 5 mile-long hike in this newly created park.  

Cahaba River Park includes two sectors: a larger sector on the north side of the river and a sector on the south side of the river that allows for motorized access.

            The river splits the park into two sites with different amenities.  The north side, which is called the Helena/Hoover Sector, includes most of the park’s acreage. The sector comprises 1,212 acres of Forever Wild property and 127 acres of county property. The south side of the river, which is called the Boothton/Montevallo Sector, comprises 188 acres of Shelby County property.

            Cahaba River Park is a Shelby County venture that is being developed in conjunction with Forever Wild Land Trust, an initiative of the Alabama
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

            Improvements to Shelby County 251, or River Road on the north side of the Cahaba River, are now complete.  The Park offers about 15 miles of professionally designed and constructed trails for mountain biking, hiking and trail running; multiple parking locations at trailheads; several canoe launch sites that will allow for short trips or runs as long as 7 miles; 2 sets of pavilions and restroom facilities; and a caretaker’s house for a law enforcement officer.

        Our hike in the Helena/Hoover Sector on October 19 will include walking on several trails.  The park’s trails offer a nice blend of forest, river and creek views including a good view of the area’s elevation.

Please bring your picnic lunch and water with you on the hike.  Well-behaved, carefully supervised children age 7 and older able to walk up to five miles without complaining are welcome to participate in this trip.

Please meet at 8:45 a.m. in the parking lot behind the McDonald’s on U.S. Highway 31 at the Riverchase Galleria.  We plan to depart from there at 9:00 a.m.

            Admission to the park is free.

Information and Trip Leader: Tim Vann, telephone 205-515-8566, email tvann25@hotmail.com

September Activities 2024

 If you previously registered for the kayak and canoe trip on August 31 and you would like to come with us on the postponed trip there on September 7, you are required to reregister since we have changed the date of the outing.  Please register with me if you are bringing your own boat.  Please register with me AND with the outfitter if you plan to rent a boat from the outfitter. 


SEPTEMBER 7, SATURDAY, please meet 9:45 a.m.

Southeastern Outings Kayak and Canoe Outing, Big Wills Creek near Gadsden, Alabama. 

Note-This is the river float outing originally scheduled for June 22 and August 17 and postponed because the water flow rate in the river on both days was too slow.

Details: This will be Southeastern Outings’ sixteenth 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.

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-Note cash only!:

 

1.    solo kayaks each $30

2.    canoes and tandem kayaks $50 each

3.    shuttle fee per boat for owned rather than rented boats $10

 

  Rental fees include paddles, 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, September 7 at 256/538-3226 to reserve your boat.  Tell the outfitter you are boating with Southeastern Outings.  Please note that the outfitter has only 4 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 September 7, 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.  Life jackets, paddles and shuttle fee are included in the rental boat fee for those who rent boats from the outfitter.  You may bring your own canoe or kayak on this trip, but you must pay the outfitter 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 beside the creek at the outfitter’s take out.  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 at the outfitter’s, stopping along the way as often as we want to.

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

After the canoe and kayak trip we are probably going to a restaurant in Attalla 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 to be kept in the car.  A changing room is available at the outfitter’s.

Reservations Required: You must contact Dan Frederick, email southeasternoutings@gmail.com 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 the September 7 kayak and canoe trip AND you are renting a boat from the outfitter at the site of the trip, you are required in this instance to call the BOTH the outfitter to reserve your boat AND ALSO contact Dan Frederick to notify him that you are coming!  Please do not just show up for this outing at the meeting place without making advance reservations!  And please advise Dan if you plan to meet the group initially at the outfitter’s instead of at the designated Birmingham Area meeting place.

Please meet 9:45 a.m. at the Applebee’s Restaurant 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 leaderIf you have questions or would like additional information about this outing, please call Dan Frederick 205/631-4680 or email southeasternoutings@gmail.com.

 

Note for Kayak and Canoe Trips

The kayak and canoe outings listed in the announcements above are 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 boat from the outfitters listed above.

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.

 

 

SEPTEMBER 14, SATURDAY, 3:00-8:00 p.m. 

Southeastern Outings potluck supper party with easy lakeside walk beforehand

Meet 3:00 p.m. for the hike. Arrive at 4:30 p.m. if you just want to enjoy the potluck supper and not hike

Southeastern Outings potluck supper party with easy lakeside walk beforehand

Where: Home of Southeastern Outings members Edd and Mary Pat Spencer

259 Highland Park Drive in Highland Lakes, Birmingham, AL 35242

Details: You are encouraged to invite at least one guest to come with you since a Southeastern Outings potluck supper party is one of the best SEO events for introducing yourself (if you are not already a member) and your friends to the group.  Please bring a dish of food to share with the group.  Beverages will also be welcome in addition to your food dish.  SEO will furnish soft drinks, cups, plates, flatware, napkins and ice.  Dress—casual.

Before we sit down to enjoy our dinner, you will have the opportunity to participate in an easy walk on a paved trail along the shore of a beautiful lake.  The trail begins from just across the street from our dinner hosts’ residence.

Well-behaved, carefully supervised children age ten and over welcome. 

Directions: From the intersection of U.S. Highway 280 and Alabama Highway 119 (Cahaba Valley Road) continue going on 280 away from Birmingham up to the top of Oak Mountain.  At stoplight at the top of the mountain, turn left on Highland Lakes Drive into Highland Lakes.  Get in the left lane at the gate.  Tell the security guard at the gate that you are attending an event at the home of Edd and Mary Pat Spencer, 259 Highland Park Drive.  You may be required to show your driver’s license and tell the security guard the name and address of your destination in order to get through the security gate, so please be sure that you bring your driver’s license and our host’s name and address with you.  Then from the gate continue on Highland Lakes Drive 1.2 miles to its end at Highland Park Drive.  Turn right on Highland Park Drive.  Go 5/10 miles to the Spencer Residence on the left, 259 Highland Park Drive.  See SEO sign in front yard.

        Please be sure that you place these directions in your car before you leave home for the hike and party! 

Info:  Please call Mary Pat Spencer, 205/317-5868 if you’d like to volunteer to help her with the party.

 

SEPTEMBER 21, SATURDAY, please meet 9:45 a.m.

Southeastern Outings River Beach Walk, Swim and Picnic at Barton’s Beach in Perry County, Alabama


Click for More Pictures


Details: Barton’s Beach, the largest sand and gravel beach on the entire Cahaba River, is a property owned by the Alabama Nature Conservancy.  It is indeed a beautiful sight to behold!  Enjoy a beach gathering on this scenic, fine-grained sand beach in Marion, Alabama.  The scenery is spectacular.  The floodplain broadens and creates areas of bottomland hardwood forests, oxbow lakes and extensive sand and gravel bars.

You can float on the river from the upper end of the beach to the lower end of the beach and then carry your float and walk on the beach back up to the upper end and repeat that real fun experience as many times as you like during the day.  You may bring whatever flotation device you wish on this outing.  Dan will bring a float air pump to the beach.  See float note below for information about acquiring flotation devices. 

Please bring with you your swimsuit, towel, picnic lunch and water, soft drink or fruit juice to drink.  Wading shoes with substantial soles are recommended.  A change of clothes (dry underwear also advised) to be left in the car is also recommended if you would like to wear dry clothes for the drive home and/or to go out to dinner with us.   

A restroom is available at Perry Lakes County Park where we’ll park our cars. 

The approximate 1/3-mile walk from the Perry Lakes Park parking lot to Barton’s Beach is easy since the terrain is level and the walk is all on trails.  Interpretive nature trails (fire lanes and primitive paths) make walking through the woods fairly easy and fun.  The two properties adjoin each other so we can walk readily back and forth between them. 

Well-behaved, carefully supervised children age 7 and older able to swim are welcome, but parents are responsible for all risks to their children.  All participants must be able to swim to come on this outing!

         Depending on the time we leave the beach, we are likely to go for an optional dinner after the outing is concluded.

Please meet 9:45 a.m. at the McDonald’s Galleria.  We plan to depart from there at 10:00 a.m.

Information and Trip Leader: Dan Frederick, email southeasternoutings@gmail.com or phone 205/631-4680

Float Note

Substantial, fabric-covered, inflatable, vinyl, rectangular floats like you use to ride the waves at the Gulf work best.  Trip leader Dan Frederick now has 72-inch-long floats for sale for $23 each and 60-inch-long floats for sale for $15 each ONLY at the start of the river floats.  Please pay either with exact change or a check made out to SEO.  First come, first served.

        Dan will provide hand float pumps to pump up your float or tube when we arrive at the beach.

 

SEPTEMBER 28, SATURDAY, please meet 8:45 a.m.

Southeastern Outings Kayak and Canoe Trip, Flint River near Brownsboro, Alabama 


Click for More Pictures

Details: This will be Southeastern Outings’ fourth group trip on the Flint River. 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. 

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

The outfitter, TGL Adventures, has for rent 1 tandem canoe, 50 new one-person sit-upon kayaks, 6 tandem kayaks and 6 sit in solo kayaks.

We thank SEO member Wendy Plash for observing the signs for this outfitter while she was kayaking on the Flint River and then referring us to TGL Adventures. 

Here is the schedule of outfitter charges:

4.    solo kayaks (both sit-upon and sit-in) each $40

5.    tandem (2-person) canoes $60 each

6.    tandem sit upon kayaks $60 each

7.    shuttle fee per boat for owned rather than rented boats $15

Life jackets, paddles and shuttle fee are included in the rental boat fee for those who rent boats from the outfitter.  Also, the outfitter will shuttle for a fee all private boats used on this outing.  If you rent a boat from this outfitter, the outfitter will shuttle you and your rented boat from the take out back to the outfitter’s office 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 to shuttle your privately-owned boat. 

When we arrive at the outfitter’s, you will sign a waiver, pay your shuttle or boat rental fee, use the restroom, and then we’ll put in the river at the outfitter’s.  We will then paddle down the river to the take out, stopping as often as we want to.  The outfitter’s vehicles will meet us at the take out and transport us and our boats back to the outfitter’s office where our cars are.

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

After the canoe and kayak trip we are going to a nearby restaurant for an optional dinner.  If you would like to wear dry clothes for the drive home or to go to dinner, please bring a change of clothes to be kept in the car.  The outfitter has changing rooms.  There is a shower you can use in one of the changing rooms.

Reservations Required: You must contact Dan Frederick, email southeasternoutings@gmail.com 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 the September 28 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 and what type of rental boats he will need to provide to SEO people for this trip.  Also, if you decide to meet us at some place other than the meeting place specified in this announcement, please notify Dan in advance and directly of this fact.

Please do not just show up for this outing without making advance reservations!  Please meet 8:45 a.m. at the Jack’s at Exit 284 off of I-65 North of Birmingham.   We plan to depart from there at 9:00 a.m. For more essential information about this trip, please see Note for Kayak and Canoe Trips below.

Information and Trip Leader: If you have questions or would like additional information about this trip, please email Dan Frederick, southeasternoutings@gmail.com or phone 205/631-4680.

Note for Kayak and Canoe Trips

Life jackets or personal flotation devices 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 a kayak or canoe from the outfitters listed above.         

        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 boat.  If you have further questions, please call the trip leader.


 SEPTEMBER 29, SUNDAY, 4:30 p.m.

Southeastern Outings Picnic before FREE Alabama Symphony Orchestra Outdoor Concert

Where: Birmingham Botanical Gardens, 2612 Lane Park Rd, Birmingham, AL 35223


Details: Please bring your own blanket or chairs and all your picnic supplies: food, drinks (no alcohol, please), cups, ice, utensils, etc.  In order to find our group, please look for the SEO signs.  Please note that we expect to take down the Southeastern Outings signs immediately before the concert begins at 5:00 p.m., so if you want to find us, please arrive and look for us BEFORE 5:00 p.m.  Carefully supervised, well-behaved children, but no dogs, are welcome. 

Reservations: Not required.

Info: Dan Frederick, southeasternoutings@gmail.com or 205/631-4680

 

SEPTEMBER 29, SUNDAY, 5:00 p.m.

FREE Alabama Symphony Orchestra (ASO) Concert beginning at 5:00 p.m.                                     

Where: Birmingham Botanical Gardens, 2612 Lane Park Rd, Birmingham, AL 35223

Details: Thanks to the generous support of sponsors, the ASO is excited to play a FREE concert at Birmingham Botanical Gardens on Sunday, September 29.  Enjoy music outdoors with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra.                                 

Please join us for this special concert which promises to yield a great early 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 4:30 p.m.           

          Concert itself begins at 5:00 p.m.

          We will send information to you on the music to be performed at a later date once we receive that information from the ASO.

In order to find our group, please look for the SEO signs.  Please note that we expect to take down the Southeastern Outings signs immediately before the concert begins at 5:00 p.m., so if you want to find us, please arrive and look for us BEFORE 5:00 p.m.  Carefully supervised, well-behaved children, but no dogs, are welcome. 

Reservations: Not required.

Admission: FREE                                                                                              

More Info: Please call the ASO office, 205/251-6929 or Dan Frederick, 205/631-4680 or email southeasternoutings@gmail.com.