GIMMIE HALF A SLAB - REDEUX
Located at the "Old Slab" on the Cahaba River. The location at Booth Ford used to serve as a river crossing as well as a washing area for large mining trucks. The slab has not been used for this purpose in quite some time but has since been adopted by the locals for a recreation area. During the month of May, a small stand of Cahaba Lilies offer a beautiful display just 100 yards down river. Fishing, kayaking/canoeing, swimming, exploring and lounging are among some of the favorite activities here as well as the unknown local sport of "Slab Crossing". "Slab Crossing" involves fording your vehicle across the river while avoiding the gaping hole in a portion of the concrete slab. I've seen winners and losers in this local challenge, and the losers tend to pay with "swamping" their vehicle's air intake and having their buddies "yank" them out of the hole. Not suggested if you actually care about your vehicle. An article in The Birmingham News has suggested that progress is being made towards developing the area around the slab into a Shelby County Park. Plans to provide kayak/canoe access and pedestrian access to the Cahaba River were mentioned. From the Birmingham area, best access will be exit #6, Morgan Road/CR-52, off of I-459, then southeast to CR-13 [N33 17.040 W86 53.348] in the Helena area. Make a right, then follow CR-13 to River Road [N33 13.148 W86 59.664]. Make left onto River Road and follow until you come to Booth Ford on the Cahaba. At this time, River Road is hard pack dirt, but can be navigated by most any 2WD car or truck. So don't sweat it when you see the dirt road! Have fun and don't get muggled by the natives