A world of adventure is just down the road. It will only take an afternoon to enjoy, and is affordable for most any family’s budget.

Terrapin Outdoor Center is located off of Hwy. 9 between Centre and Piedmont at 4114 County Road 175. The family owned business rents canoes and kayaks to groups large or small, providing an afternoon adventure of paddling on Terrapin Creek.

For paddlers who own their own boats, the center’s shuttle service will transport them and their equipment to the top of the creek. There is even a private take out and put in on the property for Terrapin Outdoor Center’s customers.

While waiting to take your trip, you can shop in the center’s retail showroom, stuffed full with rows of name brand kayaks, canoes, paddles, and everything else a serious paddler or beginner needs.

Bobby Warren and son Mike Warren have been outfitting paddlers from family outings, church groups and corporate retreats for the last 14 years.

“People come from Atlanta, Chattanooga, Birmingham, and the local area too,” Mike said. “Floating the creek is a great way to get away from the hustle and bustle.”

Mike said many people take the trip to see otter, deer, osprey, native plants and flowers along Terrapin Creek’s banks. Others will bring their fishing gear along.

“There is good fishing on the creek,” he added. “In fact, kayak fishing is becoming the largest growing area of kayaking. Fly-fishing is popular too. You can catch Redeye Bass and Spotted Bass in the creek.”

Two trip choices are offered.

The lower trip is six miles long and has more flat water, getting deeper and wider as it flows toward Weiss Lake.

The upper trip is eight miles long and takes approximately four to five hours to complete.

“It is not a hard paddle. The rapids are Class 1, which is the lightest class of rapids,” Mike said. “We see a lot of families go down together.”

Children are allowed to take the trip, as long as they weigh at least 50 pounds.

Equipment renters are outfitted with boats, paddles, life jackets, and shuttle transportation. Mike’s brother, Phil Warren, drives the shuttles.

The trip to the creek is part of the fun, a relaxing drive down a tree-lined dirt road to the trip’s start at Frank Stewart Bridge.

Phil enjoys being a part of the business and seeing others experience the thrill of paddling.

“We’ve always been an outdoor oriented family,” Phil said.

This love of the outdoors, combined with years of experience, is shown in the personal attention the Warren family gives their customers. While helping a local family get kayaks into the water last Wednesday, Phil couldn’t resist shouting out encouragement to one young paddler.

“You can do it, young man,” Phil shouted from the bank. “Paddle on the other side!”

It didn’t take long for the boy to get his kayak going in the direction he wanted it to be going.

The Echols family from Jacksonville has made the trip to Terrapin Outdoor Center a family tradition, going down Terrapin Creek two to three times each summer.

Last Wednesday, Jay and Tracy Echols and their four children (ages 8 to 12), were on the creek’s banks, ready to get into separate kayaks, excited about the adventure in front of them.

“We do this and camping with the kids,” said Tracy. “These are two of the most affordable things to do in the summer.”

Jay said that the paddling experience was a good way for the family to work together.

“We will stick together as a team,” he said. “We are all keeping an eye on each other, helping each other get down the creek.”

According to Mark Chandler of Cedar Bluff, the trip is a good experience for couples as well.

“This trip was a very nice afternoon for me and my wife,” Chandler said. “For a couple with small children it is a good getaway. Where you might not be able to leave town for a weekend or even get a date night, you can get away for an afternoon and do this.”

Chandler has paddled creeks and rivers in other areas of the country, and had high praise for the service he received at Terrapin Outdoor Center.

“They do a great job there,” he said. “Their equipment is real good and they provide everything. You don’t have to worry about anything. They get right to you and do exactly what they say they are going to do.”

Sue Lavigne came from Rome, Ga. to paddle the creek. For her, the fun was in the changing waters on the way down.

“What I liked the most was it was a combination of mellow water and then we had some rapids to maneuver a little bit. It was fun and relaxing. I enjoyed hanging out with my friends. I would recommend it to anybody who loves the outdoors. Just bring sunscreen.”

For those who want to learn more about Terrapin Creek as they ride it’s waters, Don Coley is available to go along as a group’s guide. He has traveled the creek many times and is able to point out wildlife, plants and history along the way. He’s always on the outlook for surprises.

“Last year I was with a group from JSU and we saw a bald eagle, close up,” Coley said.

There are also bits of history tucked along the creek, in the ruins of buildings that are long gone.

“There used to be a hotel along these banks,” Coley said. “Back in the olden days, the bridge at Highway 9 wasn’t there. People had to cross the creek at a shallow place. The hotel was where people had to cross. Sometimes they would stay a day or two, waiting for the water to do down.”

Coley points out to visitors what is left of an old mill, and tells stories of how the Native Americans lived along the banks.

“The Indians built a V-shape in the water with rocks, and you can see one at the end of the upper trip,” Coley said. “It’s called a fish weir, and I guess they used it to trap the fish so they could catch them easier.”

The draw for many to this relaxing way to spend an afternoon is simple – it is affordable.

Canoe rentals are $40 per two-person canoe. Kayak rentals are $25 per one-person kayak. Paddles, life jackets, and shuttle are included with all rentals, but reservations are required.

If you are planning to rent canoes or kayaks, Mike encourages calling early for reservations.

“We get pretty busy, especially on weekends,” he said.

For more information, or to make reservations, call 256-447-6666 or e-mail terrapinoutdoorcenter@yahoo.com. The center is open every day but Monday.

To get there, take Hwy. 9 to County Road 175, which is located between mile markers 248 and 249. Turn onto County Road 175, go ½ mile. Turn left at the two yellow kayaks.

“It is a great, fun local trip,” Chandler said. “It is a good chance to get outdoors for four or five hours and do some paddling. I recommend it to anybody.”