Ernie update

[Tim Eubanks]

Being a high school teacher for 20 years in the state, I've got quite a few former students scattered hither and yon. I run into them in the strangest places across several states. Some of them, like Ernie, turn out to be life-long friends.

Anyway, many of you know Ernie (Caleb Walker) as a gregarious, fun-loving kayaker. I've known him since '96 as a gangly high school student full of life. He helped me through the summer of my youth (when I was 39, after my divorce) when we were both into wakeboarding and the lake scene. Ran into him a few years later at Rockport.

He is living the dream(at least my dream) Quit his job, loaded his truck and went west. Now he's guiding rafts and kayaking (paid) on the Kern river in California. Called me this week to catch up. Said he hasn't laid hands on a computer in months, so I thought I'd let anyone who knew him catch up. After living in his truck camper for a while behind the tracks behind the ditch behind the dump, he now lives in a proper house. The guide house evidently was not a prime piece of real estate.

I asked him what the winter held, he mentioned guiding in Malaysia with an outfitter he met in a swift water rescue class. Why not, was my immediate response. The guides were already talking about what rivers they'd like to be on next season.

His take on the whitewater around Kernville was that it was as good as any he'd seen. He's seen quite a bit for his tender years.

After nursing a thrown-out back all week, all I can do is cuss and wish I'd started all this whitewater stuff much sooner. Somebody get me another gin and juice.

[T Yamashita]

Funny how life turns out for the folks who don't sweat it and go with the river...

I've got a similar story (in my mind) in my bro-in-law. He was in a point in time in his life when he was bumping along, doing ok after a hard divorce. He took up mt biking, then I got him to go on a new years eve trip on the 11 point, loved it, started buying boats. he then took a WW class at NOC, took his bike with him, loved it, was leaving NOC, got stomach pangs when driving out, had to stay and enjoy for a few more days, then decided to go to guide school. He ended up on the chatooga working for NOC, living in guide residence, working in Costa Rica some in the winter, went to Wildwater (jumped ship from NOC), met pretty red head customer, both now working for Wildwater, bought old school house down the road. Then they quit wildwater, got jobs at residence school for out of bounds youth doing outdoor program. Fast forward to getting married to pretty redhead (who's a crazy great cook) on the banks of the chatooga. Now they've got a year old, smiley girl.

River people seem to do well and end up in good places!

ty

[okieboater]

ty,

had not heard from your bro in law since he set up and guided a bunch of us on a great Costa Rica trip several years ago.

Glad to hear he is doing well and happy. He is a great guide and fun to boat with.

Tell him hi from me and TJ, next time you chat with him.

[2fast2reid]

Ernie seems to sure be loving it out there I get a txt from him every so often its usually at some crazy hour . When he told me his plans back when we were both working at FedEx he said this will probably last 6-12 months and he would come back and settle down. I dont know if he will ever be truely back. He is a great paddler and taught me alot he even took me down Upper Richland for my first time in 2007 while it was snowing and the roads were iced up . One thing about him is that he loves life.

Mr. Eubanks I hope all is well and thanks for the Ernie update.

Jake

[Renee H]

That is awesome!!! Ernie was with us last fall on our venture to WV, MD and PA. They left early so he wasn't with us on the New River Gorge. He is a very fun person to hang and travel with. Glad to know he's doing so well out in Cali.

[Tim Eubanks]

Jake: please don't call me "Mr. Eubanks" That's reserved for those who are "under me". Once you graduate, please call me Tim, Eubie, Tim Man, or "hey, get me another beer" or "hey, you've only got half a paddle"