After more than 26 years, 30 trips, and paddle strokes beyond my calculations, we were preparing to finish the only section of the Cahaba River I had not done.  Closing in on this goal, I purposely left this section for the end because I thought it would be easy for the Blackburn ladies to join.  It fit this criteria because it was a shorter section than many, was within a couple hours driving from our homes, and would have bathroom access immediately before and after the float.

I have mentioned elsewhere that spring has been a difficult time to get all of our family together for canoe trips.  We have anniversaries and several birthdays to celebrate which when combined with seeking appropriate weather and river flow, limit the possibilities.  This is especially true of the section of the Cahaba that begins in the park at Trussville. It is there that the river becomes large enough to float.  But it requires the right timing because of a small window of ideal flow. If it is lower than 60 cubic feet per second, the multiple shoals threaten to stop your boat many times. When it is above 90 cfs, you will encounter whitewater that most don’t have the skills to handle.  In the spring of 2020 my patience wore thin and my son, Ben, and friend, Scott Watson, attempted it-successfully- despite a flow rate of 45 cfs (see the Penultimate Float). With that completed, I was ready to do the trip that would tie it all together. 

We were aided greatly by the hospitality of the Living River Retreat on the Cahaba.  This was our take-out at the end of the float, so when we dropped off two vehicles we were able to make the last pre-trip toilet stop.

We put in at Booth’s Ford, on the “wild west” side across from Shelby County’s Cahaba River Park. I have heard stories of this area that led me to consider putting in on the north side of the river, but that would require an extra hour of driving.  One such story was of a friend who’s group launched from here to do an overnight trip.  Upon returning the next day to get their vehicle, someone had punctured and drained their gas tank. Since ours was just a day trip, and was during a time of year when many people would be at the river, I decided the risk of vandalism was low.

Our group was comprised of my wife, my daughter and her husband, and a son and his wife. Part of being in our family is that you will be invited (strongly encouraged) to canoe on the Cahaba River.  A rite of passage into the family is a spring float trip to Hargrove Shoals to enjoy the lilies.  So, this was not the first time in a canoe on moving water for anyone in our group.  In fact all of the men on the trip had each canoed over 50 miles.  

Like many paddlers, I have acquired several canoes over the years.  I have an old Grumman aluminum camouflage-painted canoe passed down from my father.  The “top of the line” river vessel in my fleet is a red Old Town St. George River model I bought through craigslist from a lady who brought it from Wisconsin when she moved to Birmingham.  My other, which my wife and I were using for the first time, was a 14 foot Northeast Outfitters. It was acquired in an unusual way.  It had been abandoned by some trespassers on a private lake at which I have a fishing membership.  When no one returned to claim it after several months, I suggested to the ruling authorities that it would be a shame for the canoe to sit and rot.  I offered to give it a good home, and assured that if the owners were brave enough to request it, I would give it back.  It is still in my possession two years later.  With these three canoes, we had adequate boats for our crew. We would not need to go through the hassle or cost of borrowing or renting.  That was a decision I regretted within a short time of being on the water.  I quickly realized that this canoe would be best used for some relaxing paddling on a lake, not for covering 6-7 miles on a river without much current.  So, the oldest couple on the river was also having to work harder than the others to maintain the pace.  My wife didn’t say it this time, but the words she has said in many other situations definitely applied, “You get what you pay for!”

A Boy Scout troop had the same float plan as our group. One of the adult leaders was able to take our group picture just prior to them launching.  (My favorite Boy Scout interaction on the Cahaba River is detailed in “River hitchhiking.”)

I think that most enjoyable activities have a part that is not fun and must be tolerated to get to “the good stuff.”  One of those for paddling rivers is the effort (sometimes struggle) of getting into and out of the river.  You know in advance that the interior of your vehicle will collect some sand/dirt and perhaps even mud. The take-out at the end of our trip began with paddling into the mouth of a small creek. Then we had to climb out onto the slippery bank.  Rains over the previous week created a 15 yard mud flat to slog through with gear and boats.  It is amazing how a vessel which moves smoothly and effortlessly on water, becomes heavy and bulky whenever it leaves its environment.  Fortunately, I was able to get my son and son-in-law to do the hard work.

This accomplishment has great value for me.  Yes, it is something few people have done. But its meaning is much deeper because it is something that allowed hours with friends and family (starting with the only Cahaba River trip my Dad and I shared), and created great memories along the way. 

(See my Complete Trip Log.)