1 00:00:01,901 --> 00:00:03,936 Got my stuff packed. 2 00:00:03,938 --> 00:00:06,839 North to Alaska! Here I come! 3 00:00:06,841 --> 00:00:09,975 [narrator] On this episode of Alaskans Bush People. 4 00:00:09,977 --> 00:00:10,943 Guys, here we are! 5 00:00:10,945 --> 00:00:14,013 [woman] It's been so long! 6 00:00:14,015 --> 00:00:16,382 It feels great to be back in Alaska. 7 00:00:16,384 --> 00:00:18,250 They're all ground-bound. 8 00:00:20,320 --> 00:00:21,453 - Hey, guys! - Hey! 9 00:00:21,455 --> 00:00:22,688 What are you, lost? 10 00:00:22,690 --> 00:00:25,791 You know, it's definitely nice to see an old bush friend. 11 00:00:25,793 --> 00:00:29,361 I whipped out my pliers and if you need a doctor at home. 12 00:00:31,431 --> 00:00:32,765 Is he giggling in there? 13 00:00:32,767 --> 00:00:35,267 The most urgent thing is fixing the roads. 14 00:00:35,269 --> 00:00:37,703 It took a long time to get one load of gravel. 15 00:00:37,705 --> 00:00:40,939 Turning the farm truck into a dump truck, pretty sound logic. 16 00:00:40,941 --> 00:00:42,274 There's not much to look at. 17 00:00:45,045 --> 00:00:49,381 I want to prove to myself that I can still survive in Alaska. 18 00:00:50,417 --> 00:00:53,218 I can smell it. I can hear it. It's definitely there. 19 00:00:53,220 --> 00:00:58,957 One of the biggest battles that I have, is answering that do I want to move back? 20 00:01:07,567 --> 00:01:09,601 The boy scout motto is to always be prepared. 21 00:01:09,603 --> 00:01:11,703 So, it's one thing I want to be, is prepared. 22 00:01:11,705 --> 00:01:15,874 Paper towels are handy for, like, fire starter, stuff like that, you know. 23 00:01:15,876 --> 00:01:17,042 So, it's always good to have. 24 00:01:17,811 --> 00:01:19,211 There we go! 25 00:01:19,213 --> 00:01:22,815 [narrator] It's early fall on the Brown's Mountain homestead. 26 00:01:22,817 --> 00:01:27,519 Siblings, Bird and Rain, with the late edition of brother Bear, 27 00:01:27,521 --> 00:01:30,422 gear up for their long-awaited return 28 00:01:30,424 --> 00:01:32,891 to the place they once called home. 29 00:01:32,893 --> 00:01:34,193 North to Alaska! 30 00:01:34,195 --> 00:01:35,661 Here I come! 31 00:01:35,663 --> 00:01:39,765 All my wildness, my extremeness, really began in Alaska. 32 00:01:39,767 --> 00:01:42,234 It just really has made me want to go back 33 00:01:42,236 --> 00:01:45,003 and to, like, just go to where, like, I was when I was a kid, 34 00:01:45,005 --> 00:01:47,806 and to discover something new about myself. 35 00:01:47,808 --> 00:01:49,875 Alaska, to me, will always be home, 36 00:01:49,877 --> 00:01:52,611 and it holds a special place in my heart. 37 00:01:52,613 --> 00:01:54,413 I am going to take this with me. 38 00:01:54,415 --> 00:01:57,382 It was my late hamster's best friend. 39 00:01:57,384 --> 00:01:59,551 Practicality is a big thing for me. 40 00:01:59,553 --> 00:02:00,853 I'm definitely an under-packer. 41 00:02:00,855 --> 00:02:03,755 I'll get somewhere and have to buy things 42 00:02:03,757 --> 00:02:04,923 just to be able to live. 43 00:02:04,925 --> 00:02:06,959 I think I'm done. 44 00:02:06,961 --> 00:02:08,393 Being that I'm almost 18, 45 00:02:08,395 --> 00:02:12,231 I am looking forward to going to Alaska with, kind of, a new perspective, 46 00:02:12,233 --> 00:02:13,765 because when we were there, I was a kid. 47 00:02:13,767 --> 00:02:14,867 No! 48 00:02:14,869 --> 00:02:16,135 You know, my childhood was free, 49 00:02:16,137 --> 00:02:19,238 but it wasn't quite free in the way that everybody else was. 50 00:02:19,240 --> 00:02:21,874 I wish I could take you, honey bunny. 51 00:02:21,876 --> 00:02:24,343 I could just take your hair instead. 52 00:02:24,644 --> 00:02:26,712 So, I'm going to take this. 53 00:02:26,714 --> 00:02:30,282 It's not as much as I would like, but it is from all of you. 54 00:02:31,718 --> 00:02:34,153 Get a little wet, fold it up, 55 00:02:34,155 --> 00:02:35,854 then a nice little kitty-hair ball. 56 00:02:35,856 --> 00:02:37,289 So, you all can come. 57 00:02:39,826 --> 00:02:42,327 Oh, it does smell like you all. 58 00:02:46,799 --> 00:02:48,901 Now, you have everything packed, right? 59 00:02:48,903 --> 00:02:52,004 - Everything you're gonna need. - I think so, yeah. 60 00:02:52,006 --> 00:02:53,839 I want to take some glass jars, 61 00:02:53,841 --> 00:02:55,974 so we can bring back dirt, pressed flowers... 62 00:02:55,976 --> 00:02:58,443 - Shells. - shells. 63 00:02:58,445 --> 00:03:02,214 [narrator] Although the Browns have high hopes for their voyage... 64 00:03:04,017 --> 00:03:08,287 heading to the remote Alaskan bush this time of year is a risk. 65 00:03:09,589 --> 00:03:14,426 Unpredictable storms threaten to devastate the south-eastern coast, 66 00:03:14,428 --> 00:03:18,664 and can even shut down small towns for weeks. 67 00:03:18,666 --> 00:03:21,533 It is a horrible time of year to be doing this. 68 00:03:21,535 --> 00:03:23,969 Alaska weather, it can come out of nowhere. 69 00:03:23,971 --> 00:03:27,673 Especially just before winter, the temperatures are changing, 70 00:03:27,675 --> 00:03:29,741 and I'm really not a worrier, 71 00:03:29,743 --> 00:03:32,311 but it can be very dangerous up there. 72 00:03:33,746 --> 00:03:35,714 I'm a little nervous to go. 73 00:03:35,716 --> 00:03:37,816 Why is that? Because of the plane, or-- 74 00:03:37,818 --> 00:03:39,785 Yeah, that's one of the reasons, yes. 75 00:03:39,787 --> 00:03:42,020 And, like, I don't know. 76 00:03:42,022 --> 00:03:43,722 Like, I'm nervous to leave here, 77 00:03:43,724 --> 00:03:46,158 and to leave mom and dad and all. 78 00:03:46,626 --> 00:03:49,027 The way that we grew up is, you never know, 79 00:03:49,029 --> 00:03:51,163 when you see someone, if that's gonna be the last time. 80 00:03:51,165 --> 00:03:53,198 So, going back to Alaska, 81 00:03:53,200 --> 00:03:56,568 there is that weighing the option of something could happen when we were gone. 82 00:03:56,570 --> 00:03:57,936 [coughing] 83 00:03:57,938 --> 00:04:01,640 Dad hasn't been feeling good, and that's one of the main reasons 84 00:04:01,642 --> 00:04:04,376 that I don't know if I should go, even though I want to. 85 00:04:04,378 --> 00:04:06,812 But dad definitely knows how it feels to be lost. 86 00:04:06,814 --> 00:04:09,948 Because when he was 16, is when he lost his family, 87 00:04:09,950 --> 00:04:12,985 and he walked just trying to find himself. 88 00:04:13,920 --> 00:04:14,820 We call it, like, a walk-about, 89 00:04:14,822 --> 00:04:16,088 and it helps you think, 90 00:04:16,090 --> 00:04:18,023 and it helps you get back to feeling yourself. 91 00:04:18,025 --> 00:04:20,626 And I think dad sees that. 92 00:04:20,628 --> 00:04:23,729 There's just something magical about the Alaskan mountains, 93 00:04:23,731 --> 00:04:28,500 and the breeze, and the smell, and just all of it. 94 00:04:28,502 --> 00:04:33,105 I'm hoping I come back with, like, an idea of what I wanna do. 95 00:04:33,107 --> 00:04:37,109 I'm hoping going to Alaska it will just-- 96 00:04:37,111 --> 00:04:39,278 - Click. - You know? 97 00:04:40,079 --> 00:04:40,746 Yeah. 98 00:04:40,780 --> 00:04:42,281 Hopefully. 99 00:04:42,915 --> 00:04:46,718 As far as Washington, it's great, it's a great place, 100 00:04:46,720 --> 00:04:49,221 but that feeling that I have when I'm in Alaska 101 00:04:49,223 --> 00:04:52,090 isn't necessarily there for Washington. 102 00:04:55,862 --> 00:04:56,662 What? 103 00:04:57,030 --> 00:04:58,997 I'd drag you, I'd drag you up here. 104 00:04:58,999 --> 00:04:59,598 If you...? 105 00:04:59,600 --> 00:05:02,000 "Forget me" is what I said. 106 00:05:03,102 --> 00:05:05,337 I feel like this trip will help answer some questions, 107 00:05:05,339 --> 00:05:08,640 and honestly, a lot of the Alaska questions are hard. 108 00:05:08,642 --> 00:05:11,576 And I think that's one of the biggest battles that I have with myself, 109 00:05:11,578 --> 00:05:15,180 is answering that do I want to move back? 110 00:05:16,516 --> 00:05:20,652 I don't think Bear and Rain fully know how much is riding on this trip. 111 00:05:20,654 --> 00:05:24,056 I'm thinking about Alaska for more a long-term thing. 112 00:05:31,864 --> 00:05:35,133 - Pick or a shovel. - So, I start off with a shovel. 113 00:05:37,904 --> 00:05:39,938 You know, I thought you were going to get that. 114 00:05:39,940 --> 00:05:41,406 What was that, even man? 115 00:05:41,408 --> 00:05:43,408 I thought you were ready to catch it, then you started. 116 00:05:43,410 --> 00:05:46,411 No, we're way too close to throw something to each other. 117 00:05:47,780 --> 00:05:49,581 [narrator] Back on North Star Ranch, 118 00:05:49,583 --> 00:05:52,784 Bam and Gabe attempt to solve an urgent problem 119 00:05:52,786 --> 00:05:55,954 created by last month's wildfire. 120 00:05:55,956 --> 00:05:58,423 Look at this, man. It's will be washout central. 121 00:05:58,425 --> 00:06:00,092 Becomes bad in the winter, 122 00:06:00,094 --> 00:06:01,760 and everything that was holding it together, which wasn't much. 123 00:06:01,762 --> 00:06:03,628 Is gone now. 124 00:06:03,630 --> 00:06:05,697 The root burn didn't just hit around the trees, 125 00:06:05,699 --> 00:06:08,633 it also hit several spots on our road. 126 00:06:08,635 --> 00:06:10,135 Now that's dangerous for two reasons, 127 00:06:10,137 --> 00:06:13,572 it makes it harder to drive over or where you can't, until you repair it. 128 00:06:13,574 --> 00:06:16,007 And also, when winter hits, and then all that snow melts, 129 00:06:16,009 --> 00:06:17,376 it's just going to destroy everything, 130 00:06:17,378 --> 00:06:19,544 because there won't be anything to hold it together. 131 00:06:19,546 --> 00:06:23,715 So, the idea will be to put a couple culverts, if we can find them somewhere. 132 00:06:23,717 --> 00:06:26,818 I'm thinking, you have a couple culverts going across the road here, 133 00:06:26,820 --> 00:06:29,821 and then you build up on top of that with the gravel? 134 00:06:29,823 --> 00:06:31,390 - Right. - So, what we need to do 135 00:06:31,392 --> 00:06:33,058 roll this log, 136 00:06:33,060 --> 00:06:34,693 and maybe that log over there. 137 00:06:34,695 --> 00:06:37,295 That gives us at least the marker starting point 138 00:06:37,297 --> 00:06:39,164 of what will be the retaining wall. 139 00:06:39,532 --> 00:06:41,733 A culvert is basically just a tube 140 00:06:41,735 --> 00:06:44,970 that the water flows through instead of flowing on top of the road. 141 00:06:44,972 --> 00:06:46,505 That stops it from having wash out. 142 00:06:46,507 --> 00:06:47,572 It gives the water somewhere to go, 143 00:06:47,574 --> 00:06:49,574 instead of trying to dig ditches on the other side, 144 00:06:49,576 --> 00:06:52,978 because the water is basically going to do what it wants to do. 145 00:06:52,980 --> 00:06:56,681 You want to do the driving or you want me to do the driving? 146 00:06:56,683 --> 00:06:58,350 - Pull the truck up. - Yeah? 147 00:06:58,352 --> 00:07:01,987 It's necessary to reinforce the side before really putting in the culvert, 148 00:07:01,989 --> 00:07:06,057 because anything you put to give added stability for the force coming against it, 149 00:07:06,059 --> 00:07:07,893 is going to help hold it together. 150 00:07:07,927 --> 00:07:10,061 Alright! You ready? 151 00:07:10,063 --> 00:07:11,263 Do I have to wear my seatbelt? 152 00:07:11,265 --> 00:07:12,364 Always. 153 00:07:14,167 --> 00:07:15,033 Hit it! 154 00:07:16,402 --> 00:07:18,370 Slowly! Slowly! 155 00:07:20,606 --> 00:07:22,808 A little surprised Bam's giving me the keys. 156 00:07:22,810 --> 00:07:24,910 Definitely hoping to get everything done this time, 157 00:07:24,912 --> 00:07:27,813 without sending the truck through his mountain, 158 00:07:27,815 --> 00:07:30,048 or a tree, through him, or anything like that. 159 00:07:30,050 --> 00:07:31,750 Slowly! Slowly! 160 00:07:31,752 --> 00:07:33,852 I have to make it up the hill. 161 00:07:33,854 --> 00:07:36,421 This way! This way! We want to pull it out. 162 00:07:36,423 --> 00:07:38,089 Doing good! Doing good! 163 00:07:38,891 --> 00:07:39,424 Just keep it coming. 164 00:07:40,259 --> 00:07:42,994 And stop. 165 00:07:43,996 --> 00:07:44,729 Alright. 166 00:07:44,731 --> 00:07:46,932 That was just about perfect. 167 00:07:46,934 --> 00:07:48,867 It's definitely refreshing to be back on the mountain. 168 00:07:48,869 --> 00:07:51,036 Even if it's a little bit charred, 169 00:07:51,038 --> 00:07:52,204 you just have to take it one day at a time, 170 00:07:52,206 --> 00:07:53,271 one wave at a time. 171 00:07:54,073 --> 00:07:55,207 Yeah! 172 00:07:56,909 --> 00:07:58,210 Bad, bad, bad! 173 00:07:58,212 --> 00:07:59,911 - You know what helps with that? - Bam? 174 00:07:59,913 --> 00:08:01,213 Gloves. 175 00:08:01,681 --> 00:08:03,315 I'll get my first aid kit. 176 00:08:03,317 --> 00:08:05,784 Gaby's not just the most clumsy of all my siblings, 177 00:08:05,786 --> 00:08:09,421 he's the most clumsy person I think I've ever met, seen, or heard of. 178 00:08:09,423 --> 00:08:11,823 You know, there are easier ways to get out of work. 179 00:08:11,825 --> 00:08:14,893 He tries not to be, and that's what makes it kind of funny, 180 00:08:14,895 --> 00:08:16,928 because he will try so hard, 181 00:08:16,930 --> 00:08:19,331 and then just trip on his own two feet. 182 00:08:22,401 --> 00:08:23,802 Will I be able to play piano? 183 00:08:23,804 --> 00:08:25,203 Could you before? 184 00:08:25,671 --> 00:08:28,840 - How's that feel? - Good. Let's get back to work. 185 00:08:28,842 --> 00:08:31,977 Stop! You're going to go back and do the exact same thing? 186 00:08:31,979 --> 00:08:33,211 What, what are you missing? 187 00:08:34,180 --> 00:08:35,013 A little bit of flesh. 188 00:08:35,015 --> 00:08:37,115 Besides that. 189 00:08:37,117 --> 00:08:40,085 - A pair of gloves! - Oh, I knew that. 190 00:08:48,628 --> 00:08:53,431 [hooting] 191 00:08:57,870 --> 00:09:01,740 [narrator] After a 14-hour journey from North Star Ranch, 192 00:09:01,742 --> 00:09:04,843 and more than three years since they last left, 193 00:09:04,845 --> 00:09:10,315 the Brown siblings take to the sea in Alaska. 194 00:09:10,317 --> 00:09:13,318 Surrounded by mountains again, we've got the ocean. 195 00:09:19,825 --> 00:09:21,126 Yup. 196 00:09:21,128 --> 00:09:23,094 My dad coordinated with Trapper, 197 00:09:23,096 --> 00:09:25,664 to get some of his friends to give us a lift, 198 00:09:25,666 --> 00:09:27,032 from Juneau to Hoonah. 199 00:09:27,034 --> 00:09:29,401 Yeah, thanks. We're just about there, guys. 200 00:09:29,403 --> 00:09:33,038 Yeah, we are. That is Hoonah! 201 00:09:33,040 --> 00:09:37,375 I haven't been on this dock since I was 13 years old. 202 00:09:38,811 --> 00:09:40,378 It's nice to be back. 203 00:09:40,380 --> 00:09:41,646 It feels good to be back, 204 00:09:41,648 --> 00:09:44,849 but it definitely feels weird that it's only three of us. 205 00:09:44,851 --> 00:09:46,918 I definitely wish everybody could have come, 206 00:09:46,920 --> 00:09:48,720 but I'll hold them in my heart, 207 00:09:48,722 --> 00:09:50,055 and I'll enjoy it for them. 208 00:09:50,990 --> 00:09:52,958 Guys, here we are! 209 00:09:55,194 --> 00:09:56,861 Hoonah town! 210 00:09:56,863 --> 00:09:57,996 Oh, my God! 211 00:09:58,030 --> 00:10:00,065 Kiss the ground. 212 00:10:00,067 --> 00:10:02,267 - You guys excited? - I'm excited. 213 00:10:03,436 --> 00:10:04,569 Bring it. 214 00:10:04,870 --> 00:10:06,605 - Oh, you already got a shell. - You got the first shell! 215 00:10:06,607 --> 00:10:08,206 I had to find one. 216 00:10:08,208 --> 00:10:10,141 I was the first one to kiss the dock. 217 00:10:10,143 --> 00:10:11,076 I saw that. 218 00:10:11,078 --> 00:10:13,278 Gosh, this place! 219 00:10:13,779 --> 00:10:15,046 We're back! 220 00:10:15,982 --> 00:10:16,748 [narrator] Coming up. 221 00:10:16,750 --> 00:10:19,884 Hey, guys! What are you, lost? 222 00:10:19,886 --> 00:10:23,989 The siblings re-unite with old friends in the bush. 223 00:10:23,991 --> 00:10:25,223 Check this bad chicken out! 224 00:10:26,826 --> 00:10:27,592 And later... 225 00:10:27,594 --> 00:10:29,761 - Are we there yet? - Almost. 226 00:10:29,763 --> 00:10:32,731 their emotional return to Browntown. 227 00:10:32,733 --> 00:10:34,866 Look how old it looks. 228 00:10:34,868 --> 00:10:36,401 - Ready? - Let's go home. 229 00:10:40,506 --> 00:10:43,241 Welcome back to Hoonah, guys! Welcome back! 230 00:10:43,243 --> 00:10:46,411 [narrator] It's the first time in over three years 231 00:10:46,413 --> 00:10:50,849 that members of the Brown family have stepped foot in the Alaskan bush... 232 00:10:50,851 --> 00:10:51,816 Yeah, this is it, for sure. 233 00:10:51,818 --> 00:10:54,953 and in the small coastal town of Hoonah, 234 00:10:54,955 --> 00:10:57,055 siblings Bear, Bird, and Rain, 235 00:10:57,057 --> 00:11:00,458 are hoping to find a way back to Browntown. 236 00:11:00,460 --> 00:11:03,161 Our plan is to go to Browntown, 237 00:11:03,163 --> 00:11:07,232 and we're going to try and get a hold of our old friend, Trapper. 238 00:11:07,234 --> 00:11:11,403 Hopefully he has some sort of mode of transportation that we can get to Browntown with. 239 00:11:12,738 --> 00:11:15,073 - Hey! You remember us? - Hey, guys! 240 00:11:15,075 --> 00:11:17,509 - How's it going, man? - Good! What are you, lost? 241 00:11:17,511 --> 00:11:19,411 Not exactly. Not exactly. 242 00:11:19,413 --> 00:11:22,013 We're pretty sure your boat was named the Jamie. 243 00:11:22,015 --> 00:11:23,615 We were hoping you still owned it. 244 00:11:23,617 --> 00:11:26,017 So far, so good. 245 00:11:26,019 --> 00:11:29,287 It's definitely nice to see a familiar face like Trapper. 246 00:11:29,289 --> 00:11:30,922 Good to see you, man! 247 00:11:30,924 --> 00:11:35,927 He's one of the oldest friends we have from back long, long time ago in Alaska. 248 00:11:35,929 --> 00:11:38,563 Trapper can always help us out, and always will, 249 00:11:38,565 --> 00:11:40,799 so it's really good to see him again. 250 00:11:40,801 --> 00:11:42,634 Dad actually wanted us to tell you, "Hi! 251 00:11:42,636 --> 00:11:44,102 Wish I could be here." 252 00:11:44,104 --> 00:11:46,471 Yeah, well, I was, I was hoping. I really was. 253 00:11:46,473 --> 00:11:48,807 But, you know, I had heard he was feeling poorly. 254 00:11:48,809 --> 00:11:52,911 Yes, dad's been a little under the weather, so it's only us guys. 255 00:11:52,913 --> 00:11:56,781 - So, what do you need? - We need a skiff. 256 00:11:56,783 --> 00:12:00,118 We're trying to make it back out to Browntown. 257 00:12:04,590 --> 00:12:06,825 Well, I don't. All I've got is my canoe. 258 00:12:06,827 --> 00:12:10,595 But Kenny, I would go hunt him up. 259 00:12:10,597 --> 00:12:13,031 I think he's the, the house across on Main Street. 260 00:12:13,033 --> 00:12:14,499 You see all the, all the gear out front. 261 00:12:14,501 --> 00:12:15,533 Perfect! 262 00:12:15,535 --> 00:12:18,703 Trapper gave us a lead to track down Kenny. 263 00:12:18,705 --> 00:12:21,106 - Roger down here. Over! - Over, over! 264 00:12:22,441 --> 00:12:24,242 Kenny is an old friend of the family, 265 00:12:24,244 --> 00:12:26,511 and he's helped us in the past with quite a few things. 266 00:12:26,513 --> 00:12:27,612 Oh, yeah! 267 00:12:27,614 --> 00:12:29,414 He's helped us with some destruction jobs. 268 00:12:29,416 --> 00:12:31,683 He's actually came out to Browntown. 269 00:12:31,685 --> 00:12:33,017 What's up Sabrina girl? 270 00:12:33,519 --> 00:12:34,385 This is the right house? 271 00:12:34,387 --> 00:12:36,755 You tell me, man. I've never been here. 272 00:12:36,757 --> 00:12:39,924 So, we're really hoping that he has a way for us to get back to Browntown. 273 00:12:39,926 --> 00:12:42,160 We don't really have a backup plan. 274 00:12:44,797 --> 00:12:46,064 I hear something. 275 00:12:46,966 --> 00:12:48,867 - Hey! - Yeah, we found it! 276 00:12:48,869 --> 00:12:51,402 - Yeah! - Hey! 277 00:12:51,404 --> 00:12:53,938 How you doin', man? How you doin'? 278 00:12:53,940 --> 00:12:55,540 You guys are still alive and kicking? 279 00:12:55,542 --> 00:12:56,508 We are! We are! 280 00:12:56,510 --> 00:12:58,476 You know, I heard you guys almost burnt out. 281 00:12:58,478 --> 00:13:01,012 Yeah. You heard that, eh? Yeah, it was pretty bad. 282 00:13:01,014 --> 00:13:03,748 We had a massive wildfire. We lost almost everything. 283 00:13:03,750 --> 00:13:04,649 [grunts] 284 00:13:04,651 --> 00:13:06,017 What have you been up to, man? 285 00:13:06,019 --> 00:13:07,852 Man, just sitting here, surviving in the bush. 286 00:13:07,854 --> 00:13:10,822 Working at the dump. I'm just freelancing, do whatever I can. 287 00:13:10,824 --> 00:13:12,757 There's nothing else, you know, to do. 288 00:13:12,759 --> 00:13:14,659 How's mom and pops doing? Are they... 289 00:13:14,661 --> 00:13:16,661 A couple of health issues, but they're still okay. 290 00:13:16,663 --> 00:13:18,930 They wanted to come up, too, but they just couldn't make this trip. 291 00:13:18,932 --> 00:13:22,000 As we say, that saltwater, man, that's a cure-all. 292 00:13:22,002 --> 00:13:24,269 - Keep your life forever. - Literally! 293 00:13:24,271 --> 00:13:27,705 We actually, we were just talking with Trapper, 294 00:13:27,707 --> 00:13:30,775 and we asked if he had a skiff or something he might, could loan us, 295 00:13:30,777 --> 00:13:32,310 something to get us out to Browntown, 296 00:13:32,312 --> 00:13:34,412 and he pointed us in your direction. 297 00:13:34,414 --> 00:13:36,648 Not to put you on the spot or anything, I know we literally just showed up, 298 00:13:36,650 --> 00:13:37,949 "Oh, can we have a favor, man"? 299 00:13:37,951 --> 00:13:39,317 That's, this is what it's all about. 300 00:13:39,319 --> 00:13:40,685 That's true! That's true! 301 00:13:40,687 --> 00:13:43,788 You need something and you came here, I'll make it happen. 302 00:13:43,790 --> 00:13:45,456 - You help me, I help you. - Yeah! 303 00:13:45,458 --> 00:13:46,991 So, what would you need help with? 304 00:13:46,993 --> 00:13:49,794 I got some rounds sitting over here in a wood splitter. 305 00:13:49,796 --> 00:13:51,095 You help me cut up some wood, 306 00:13:51,097 --> 00:13:52,230 you scratch my back, I scratch yours. 307 00:13:52,232 --> 00:13:55,166 Yeah, for sure! We're definitely willing to help out. 308 00:13:55,168 --> 00:13:59,170 Bush people are really a special breed of people, like Trapper and Kenny. 309 00:13:59,172 --> 00:14:01,639 Without them, this trip wouldn't be possible. 310 00:14:01,641 --> 00:14:03,775 They're always willing to lend a hand, 311 00:14:03,777 --> 00:14:06,077 because bush people have bush hearts. 312 00:14:06,079 --> 00:14:08,046 Teamwork makes the dream work. 313 00:14:09,915 --> 00:14:11,983 [laughing] 314 00:14:11,985 --> 00:14:13,952 Make you work for it! 315 00:14:14,620 --> 00:14:16,221 Heck, yeah man! I love it! 316 00:14:17,723 --> 00:14:19,991 Yeah, yeah! Something happened? 317 00:14:23,963 --> 00:14:26,064 - Schmacko! - Oh, man! Ouch! 318 00:14:26,066 --> 00:14:27,966 You're in pain? You're good? 319 00:14:28,000 --> 00:14:29,400 It's not there anymore. 320 00:14:29,402 --> 00:14:31,402 - That's true. - You know what I mean? Yeah. 321 00:14:31,404 --> 00:14:32,871 It hurt me and I was, like, oh! 322 00:14:32,873 --> 00:14:37,809 I whipped out my pliers and I'm the tooth fairy. 323 00:14:37,811 --> 00:14:39,777 If you want to see it, I'll go get it. 324 00:14:39,779 --> 00:14:41,012 - I'm goin' into the house. - Yeah, if it's no trouble. 325 00:14:41,014 --> 00:14:42,113 I wouldn't mind seeing it. 326 00:14:42,115 --> 00:14:44,215 That's not a problem. I'll, I'll show. 327 00:14:44,217 --> 00:14:45,950 - Yeah! Cool, man! - Cool! 328 00:14:45,952 --> 00:14:49,587 I don't know if seeing Kenny's tooth specifically will help us get a skiff to Browntown, 329 00:14:49,589 --> 00:14:52,390 but hopefully, just entertaining him will help. 330 00:14:52,392 --> 00:14:54,626 - Check this bad chicken out! - Look at that thing. 331 00:14:54,628 --> 00:14:56,327 Oh, man! You weren't kidding. 332 00:14:57,263 --> 00:14:58,763 - That was a good tooth. - Yeah, it was. 333 00:14:58,765 --> 00:15:00,098 Oh, man! 334 00:15:00,100 --> 00:15:02,267 Birdy, you want that for your bone tree? 335 00:15:03,102 --> 00:15:05,103 If you need a doctor at home. 336 00:15:06,772 --> 00:15:08,139 Just so you know. 337 00:15:14,580 --> 00:15:17,115 Gaby, what are you doing? 338 00:15:17,117 --> 00:15:18,783 He's lucky I don't roll him down the hill. 339 00:15:18,785 --> 00:15:21,019 I can't do that. I'll throw up. 340 00:15:21,021 --> 00:15:22,353 - Bam, roll him down. - I'll throw up. 341 00:15:23,055 --> 00:15:24,389 Damn it! 342 00:15:24,391 --> 00:15:27,225 Is he giggling in there? 343 00:15:27,227 --> 00:15:31,062 [narrator] The next morning, after obtaining culverts from a local, 344 00:15:31,064 --> 00:15:35,466 the Brown brothers work to repair a crucial part of their mountain road. 345 00:15:35,468 --> 00:15:37,101 That's comically high up. 346 00:15:37,103 --> 00:15:40,104 First, they'll need to dig a four-foot trench, 347 00:15:40,106 --> 00:15:44,142 allowing the drainage system to lie even with the terrain. 348 00:15:44,510 --> 00:15:46,044 To make what we have work, 349 00:15:46,046 --> 00:15:47,845 we're going to have to dig it down a little bit. 350 00:15:47,847 --> 00:15:48,546 Oh, yeah! 351 00:15:48,548 --> 00:15:50,348 It's very, very big. 352 00:15:50,350 --> 00:15:52,617 As long as we can get the road to a point where we can drive over it, 353 00:15:52,619 --> 00:15:55,753 we can fine-tune with as much gravel as we want, as we go. 354 00:15:55,755 --> 00:15:59,924 I want you to come in with your backhoe and dig out a ditch. 355 00:15:59,926 --> 00:16:01,893 You know, it's basically this line I'm putting in. 356 00:16:01,895 --> 00:16:03,394 Okay. 357 00:16:03,396 --> 00:16:06,264 Doing it this way will make the road more functional right away, is the idea. 358 00:16:06,266 --> 00:16:07,298 Because with everything we have to do, 359 00:16:07,300 --> 00:16:10,134 with how far behind we are because of the fire, 360 00:16:10,136 --> 00:16:14,272 we don't have time to be, like, really working on just this, and just this area. 361 00:16:14,274 --> 00:16:17,775 Bam, you should get alligators for your pond. 362 00:16:17,777 --> 00:16:20,144 More a koi fish kind of guy. 363 00:16:20,146 --> 00:16:22,347 I think we're about there? You want to take a look? 364 00:16:24,717 --> 00:16:25,917 I think we're good. 365 00:16:25,919 --> 00:16:27,752 It's important that we fix this road. 366 00:16:27,754 --> 00:16:30,188 One, it's the entrance to Bam's property 367 00:16:30,190 --> 00:16:31,589 and he can't do anything up there without it fixed. 368 00:16:31,591 --> 00:16:32,457 Alright! 369 00:16:32,459 --> 00:16:35,526 Two, this is the road to our back exit, 370 00:16:35,528 --> 00:16:39,030 and if this isn't open, and another fire starts up, then we are stuck. 371 00:16:39,032 --> 00:16:41,132 So, why don't you start hauling gravel? 372 00:16:41,134 --> 00:16:43,334 And we'll take care of putting this culvert together. 373 00:16:43,535 --> 00:16:44,936 Okay. 374 00:16:47,639 --> 00:16:49,907 At least you guys have a good day on the water. 375 00:16:49,909 --> 00:16:51,709 Coming as late in the season as we did, 376 00:16:51,711 --> 00:16:53,978 I did expect worse weather. 377 00:16:54,513 --> 00:16:56,047 [narrator] Back in Alaska, 378 00:16:56,049 --> 00:17:00,818 the Brown siblings have finally procured their ticket to Browntown. 379 00:17:00,820 --> 00:17:01,986 There she is. 380 00:17:02,021 --> 00:17:03,187 Battle tank. 381 00:17:03,689 --> 00:17:05,023 Check it out! 382 00:17:05,025 --> 00:17:07,091 - Hey, nice! Oh, it's sealed! - Yeah, pretty! 383 00:17:07,093 --> 00:17:08,993 - Right? - Fancy! 384 00:17:08,995 --> 00:17:11,362 Cover on her. Love it! 385 00:17:11,964 --> 00:17:12,697 - Thank you. - Thank you. 386 00:17:12,699 --> 00:17:14,565 You know where I'll be. 387 00:17:14,567 --> 00:17:16,901 I don't know a lot of things, but what I do know is, 388 00:17:16,903 --> 00:17:18,870 in the bush, your friends, your family need help, 389 00:17:18,872 --> 00:17:21,839 and that's what you do. You do what you can. 390 00:17:21,841 --> 00:17:24,409 Without a boat, you ain't walking, or hiking. 391 00:17:24,411 --> 00:17:26,077 Take good care of her. She'll take care of you. 392 00:17:26,079 --> 00:17:28,179 People got to get out and explore. 393 00:17:28,181 --> 00:17:29,414 Breathe the good air. 394 00:17:29,416 --> 00:17:30,782 - We're underway! - Browntown! 395 00:17:30,784 --> 00:17:32,316 Let's do this! 396 00:17:34,987 --> 00:17:36,721 I'm definitely excited to go back to Browntown. 397 00:17:36,723 --> 00:17:38,456 That's not a secret. 398 00:17:38,458 --> 00:17:41,959 But as far as weather and bears, it's not the ideal time. 399 00:17:41,961 --> 00:17:46,030 There are a lot of storms, and all the bears are getting ready for winter, 400 00:17:46,032 --> 00:17:48,066 so they're eating anything they can. 401 00:17:48,667 --> 00:17:49,801 Got to love the way the clouds 402 00:17:49,803 --> 00:17:52,036 and the mists just inlay on the mountains. 403 00:17:52,038 --> 00:17:55,006 They move slowly by the wind does that 404 00:17:55,008 --> 00:17:57,075 - Yeah! - It's magical! 405 00:17:59,745 --> 00:18:01,045 Guys, we have a whale. 406 00:18:01,047 --> 00:18:03,414 Welcome us back to Browntown. 407 00:18:03,882 --> 00:18:05,516 Honestly feels unreal, 408 00:18:05,518 --> 00:18:08,886 that we're in a skiff headed to Browntown. 409 00:18:08,888 --> 00:18:10,488 I didn't think it was going to happen ever again. 410 00:18:10,490 --> 00:18:15,359 [chatting indistinctly] 411 00:18:15,361 --> 00:18:18,563 Being on the water with Bear and Rain definitely makes me nostalgic, 412 00:18:18,565 --> 00:18:21,766 because a lot of my earliest memories are on the water, 413 00:18:21,768 --> 00:18:24,035 and it reminds me of when we all first arrived there as a family. 414 00:18:24,037 --> 00:18:25,803 It looks like a bear on the shore. 415 00:18:25,805 --> 00:18:27,538 Right! I think you're right. 416 00:18:27,540 --> 00:18:30,475 Being back on the water, it definitely makes me nostalgic, 417 00:18:30,477 --> 00:18:33,845 just makes me think back to all those times that I had childhood, 418 00:18:33,847 --> 00:18:37,415 teen-hood, in my 20s, it really just takes me back. 419 00:18:38,951 --> 00:18:41,886 Feels like everyone's going to be there. 420 00:18:41,888 --> 00:18:44,422 It feels like we're going home. 421 00:18:44,424 --> 00:18:46,791 I'm so excited, though, just to see it, 422 00:18:46,793 --> 00:18:51,295 to walk the beach again, and drink from the creeks again. 423 00:18:51,297 --> 00:18:54,398 I'm who I am today, partially because of Browntown. 424 00:18:56,702 --> 00:19:01,539 You know, I definitely want to just get back to nature completely. 425 00:19:01,541 --> 00:19:04,408 To be honest, it almost doesn't feel like we ever left. 426 00:19:04,410 --> 00:19:08,946 The little voice inside, calling me back to Alaska, has been there since we left. 427 00:19:08,948 --> 00:19:10,948 It's always just something that I push away, 428 00:19:10,950 --> 00:19:12,550 but it'll never go away. 429 00:19:12,552 --> 00:19:15,186 And a part of me doesn't want it to. 430 00:19:17,723 --> 00:19:20,558 One of the biggest battles that I have with myself is, 431 00:19:20,560 --> 00:19:22,093 do I belong in Washington? 432 00:19:22,095 --> 00:19:25,062 And maybe this will, you know, answer some of that for me. 433 00:19:25,397 --> 00:19:27,465 Wow! Tiffany Rock! 434 00:19:27,467 --> 00:19:29,734 And it's been a long time since we've seen that. 435 00:19:29,736 --> 00:19:32,770 I'm most nervous about going back to Browntown is, 436 00:19:32,772 --> 00:19:35,973 what if we get there and it's not as magical as I remember it? 437 00:19:35,975 --> 00:19:39,110 What has changed? What is there? 438 00:19:39,112 --> 00:19:41,212 I really don't want to cry. 439 00:19:45,150 --> 00:19:48,319 There she blows, guys! There she blows. Look at it. 440 00:19:49,188 --> 00:19:51,088 It's beautiful! 441 00:19:51,423 --> 00:19:55,226 It's been so long! 442 00:19:55,228 --> 00:19:59,630 [narrator] After days of travel, siblings Bear, Bird, and Rain, 443 00:19:59,632 --> 00:20:04,402 are approaching their final destination, Browntown. 444 00:20:12,010 --> 00:20:15,112 [Bear] So close to stepping on Browntown now, guys. 445 00:20:15,981 --> 00:20:17,615 Browntown, to me, it says home, 446 00:20:17,617 --> 00:20:20,117 it means family, it means freedom. 447 00:20:20,986 --> 00:20:22,720 The wind, the seagulls, all of that, 448 00:20:22,722 --> 00:20:25,990 it takes me right back to childhood. 449 00:20:25,992 --> 00:20:29,427 There are just so many memories here, great, great, great memories. 450 00:20:32,297 --> 00:20:34,031 - You smell that? - Yeah. 451 00:20:34,033 --> 00:20:36,334 It smells almost sweet. Love it! 452 00:20:41,974 --> 00:20:44,175 Good old ground hounds! 453 00:20:49,881 --> 00:20:52,850 This was home to us for so long. 454 00:20:52,852 --> 00:20:54,318 And there's just so much that we did. 455 00:20:54,686 --> 00:20:56,988 Garden with mom, the swinging. 456 00:20:56,990 --> 00:21:00,091 We've a lot of memories here, a lot of good times. 457 00:21:00,093 --> 00:21:02,226 Remember, we had that big bench swing? 458 00:21:05,731 --> 00:21:06,964 Dang! 459 00:21:06,966 --> 00:21:09,300 Look at it. Look how old it looks! 460 00:21:15,741 --> 00:21:18,209 Ah, man! My tree house! 461 00:21:19,711 --> 00:21:22,013 She still stands, guys. 462 00:21:24,716 --> 00:21:26,384 I'm going to check around the house. 463 00:21:29,721 --> 00:21:35,059 [sniffling, sobbing] 464 00:21:53,412 --> 00:21:56,047 I know first impressions is hard... 465 00:21:57,582 --> 00:22:00,217 because I'm just thinking about all the things that we did. 466 00:22:00,719 --> 00:22:02,753 It's definitely hard to look around 467 00:22:02,755 --> 00:22:06,057 and to see so many things from, like, so long ago, 468 00:22:06,059 --> 00:22:10,061 and imagine how it was, and seeing how it is now. 469 00:22:10,962 --> 00:22:15,800 And one of the hardest things is knowing that we can, 470 00:22:15,802 --> 00:22:18,402 and never even live here if we wanted to. 471 00:22:18,404 --> 00:22:20,371 A little piece of paradise. 472 00:22:20,839 --> 00:22:22,973 It is. 473 00:22:22,975 --> 00:22:25,076 There's just so many memories around every corner, 474 00:22:25,078 --> 00:22:28,245 every porch, every beam, it's just a memory. 475 00:22:28,247 --> 00:22:29,280 Every trail... 476 00:22:29,282 --> 00:22:31,916 God dang it. 477 00:22:31,918 --> 00:22:35,953 all the things that we did, and how much it felt like home, and... 478 00:22:36,755 --> 00:22:38,356 how much it still does. 479 00:22:39,358 --> 00:22:40,658 Look what we've done. 480 00:22:40,959 --> 00:22:43,127 You know, we hauled every piling up here, we dug every hole. 481 00:22:43,129 --> 00:22:44,528 Brown way to do it! 482 00:22:44,530 --> 00:22:45,896 It's good to have faith. 483 00:22:45,898 --> 00:22:48,699 It's like everywhere I look, there's a good memory. 484 00:22:48,701 --> 00:22:50,901 Someday, we'll have grand babies around this table. 485 00:22:50,903 --> 00:22:52,370 - Oh, good Lord! - Let's eat. 486 00:22:53,839 --> 00:22:55,005 Man! Look at that, man! 487 00:22:55,007 --> 00:22:57,541 How could you not appreciate that view? 488 00:22:57,543 --> 00:23:00,077 The same way that the forest takes things over, 489 00:23:00,079 --> 00:23:04,148 this is somebody else's home now, not ours. 490 00:23:05,684 --> 00:23:06,751 It feels good to be back. 491 00:23:06,753 --> 00:23:08,719 It feels good to be here again. 492 00:23:08,721 --> 00:23:12,323 I've wanted to come back since we left, and here we are. 493 00:23:16,061 --> 00:23:18,262 Oh, it's so overgrown! It's musty. 494 00:23:19,898 --> 00:23:20,898 Oh, should we take these nails? 495 00:23:20,900 --> 00:23:22,333 No! No! 496 00:23:23,769 --> 00:23:25,069 - Bird. I saw that. - I know that. 497 00:23:25,071 --> 00:23:26,270 I'm not going to take 'em. 498 00:23:29,841 --> 00:23:30,374 Wow! 499 00:23:32,778 --> 00:23:33,344 Ready? 500 00:23:34,079 --> 00:23:35,212 Let's go home. 501 00:23:38,917 --> 00:23:41,051 Oh, wow! 502 00:23:41,753 --> 00:23:43,354 It looks so much the same. 503 00:23:44,890 --> 00:23:47,992 Oh, the table! 504 00:23:51,430 --> 00:23:53,264 Dad and I worked really hard on this. 505 00:23:53,965 --> 00:23:56,100 Main thing, just keep it with the grain. 506 00:23:56,902 --> 00:24:00,204 - Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa! - [giggles] 507 00:24:00,939 --> 00:24:01,872 Bring it still back. 508 00:24:01,874 --> 00:24:03,407 - A little bit more, though. - Bring it in. 509 00:24:03,409 --> 00:24:05,276 - A little further. - Perfect! 510 00:24:05,444 --> 00:24:06,844 What do you think, kiddo? 511 00:24:06,846 --> 00:24:09,980 You've helped me on this one, you'd help on anything, I think. 512 00:24:10,649 --> 00:24:14,285 First time walking into the Browntown house is strange. 513 00:24:16,721 --> 00:24:19,423 -This wasn't the only one. There were a bunch. -Mm-hm. 514 00:24:19,425 --> 00:24:20,825 Everywhere you look, 515 00:24:20,827 --> 00:24:23,561 there's a memory, and there's a story behind it. 516 00:24:23,563 --> 00:24:24,962 I don't remember when we put the wood stove in 517 00:24:24,964 --> 00:24:27,298 because we came back that one was just here. 518 00:24:27,300 --> 00:24:29,934 You're right, because the guys surprised mom. 519 00:24:29,936 --> 00:24:30,801 Yeah! 520 00:24:31,403 --> 00:24:34,405 The main thing that makes me emotional is 521 00:24:34,407 --> 00:24:38,042 every one of those stories has to do with my mom and dad. 522 00:24:38,044 --> 00:24:40,478 My dad's not sitting at the table and my mom isn't upstairs, 523 00:24:40,480 --> 00:24:45,015 and that's, it's more painful than I thought it would be. 524 00:24:45,017 --> 00:24:48,319 This seems so much smaller than it did before. 525 00:24:48,353 --> 00:24:49,386 Yeah. 526 00:24:57,128 --> 00:24:59,396 First, we should probably buckle this guy together. 527 00:25:00,732 --> 00:25:01,765 Ohh! 528 00:25:01,767 --> 00:25:04,969 - What? - Snug as a bug in a rug! 529 00:25:04,971 --> 00:25:09,306 [narrator] In Washington, the Brown brothers are ready to bury the culvert 530 00:25:09,308 --> 00:25:11,976 with its first load of gravel. 531 00:25:11,978 --> 00:25:14,979 With how much Bam wants to build up the road over the culvert, 532 00:25:14,981 --> 00:25:16,413 it's going to be quite a job. 533 00:25:16,415 --> 00:25:19,083 We're gonna need a lot of gravel. 534 00:25:19,085 --> 00:25:21,986 That's a lot of trips, which means it's a lot of time. 535 00:25:23,188 --> 00:25:24,655 - Oh, Noah's coming back. - Yeah. 536 00:25:24,657 --> 00:25:28,192 It took him a long time just to get that one load of gravel. 537 00:25:28,994 --> 00:25:32,096 Well, not when you factor in how far he's going. 538 00:25:32,631 --> 00:25:33,731 Seems to be a slow go. 539 00:25:33,733 --> 00:25:36,901 You know, even with Noah helping us with the tractor, 540 00:25:36,903 --> 00:25:39,670 we don't have time to spend a week on any project. 541 00:25:39,672 --> 00:25:40,938 You know there's so much we have to do. 542 00:25:40,940 --> 00:25:42,640 We're spreading ourselves so thin. 543 00:25:42,642 --> 00:25:43,908 It's a little time consuming. 544 00:25:43,910 --> 00:25:46,544 So, the faster we can do it, the better. 545 00:25:46,546 --> 00:25:48,746 We might have to make a thousand trips. 546 00:25:48,748 --> 00:25:50,481 Professionals do not haul a bucket load at a time, 547 00:25:50,483 --> 00:25:52,616 regardless of the size of the bucket. 548 00:25:52,618 --> 00:25:57,087 So, if we had some way to move more of the material at a time say, the farm truck? 549 00:25:57,455 --> 00:25:59,957 If it has the, the hook-ups for it, 550 00:25:59,959 --> 00:26:01,659 we could just throw some plywood, and some two-by-fours together 551 00:26:01,661 --> 00:26:04,128 and build a box on the back of it to fill with gravel. 552 00:26:04,130 --> 00:26:05,963 It does have a spot for two by fours. 553 00:26:05,965 --> 00:26:09,700 You know, turning the farm truck into a dump truck is pretty sound logic in my mind. 554 00:26:09,702 --> 00:26:12,403 You know, utilize a lot more space. 555 00:26:12,405 --> 00:26:15,406 You know, this is definitely Bam channeling his inner Noah. 556 00:26:16,308 --> 00:26:17,608 Because it's, it's pretty smart. 557 00:26:17,610 --> 00:26:20,744 Y'all can be offloading shovels while I take more trips. 558 00:26:20,746 --> 00:26:22,446 Then, when you all run out, you just drive down, 559 00:26:22,448 --> 00:26:24,415 I'll fill it again and continue doing that. 560 00:26:24,417 --> 00:26:26,650 Just getting moved as much as we can, as fast as we can. 561 00:26:26,652 --> 00:26:28,719 Why don't you start making gravel loads, 562 00:26:28,721 --> 00:26:30,421 Gabey and I will see about turning the flatbed 563 00:26:30,423 --> 00:26:33,090 into more of a large pickup or maybe a dump truck. 564 00:26:33,092 --> 00:26:35,392 Okay. I'll go get the farm truck. 565 00:26:36,227 --> 00:26:37,428 Can I get a "whoa", team? 566 00:26:38,063 --> 00:26:39,229 No. 567 00:26:39,798 --> 00:26:40,998 [narrator] Coming up. 568 00:26:41,000 --> 00:26:42,466 You go left here, I'll go right. 569 00:26:42,468 --> 00:26:45,769 Bear and Bird stalk on dangerous ground. 570 00:26:45,771 --> 00:26:49,039 [whispering] There's been a bear here. A big bear. 571 00:26:49,041 --> 00:26:50,941 There is something moving around up there. 572 00:26:55,714 --> 00:26:58,048 I'm gonna brush my teeth. 573 00:26:58,850 --> 00:27:01,785 Normally, you think you have your morning routine, oh, boy, 574 00:27:01,787 --> 00:27:03,854 you know, I have to do some laundry, this and that. 575 00:27:03,856 --> 00:27:05,889 But in Alaska, you get to go to the creek. 576 00:27:05,891 --> 00:27:08,325 You know, it's something to look forward to. 577 00:27:09,294 --> 00:27:11,662 [narrator] It's the first morning in Browntown 578 00:27:11,664 --> 00:27:17,101 as Bear, Bird and Rain start the day, reliving old routines. 579 00:27:17,103 --> 00:27:18,769 Right now, I'm checking out my tree house. 580 00:27:18,771 --> 00:27:21,739 This was my dwelling in Browntown. It's where I lived. 581 00:27:21,741 --> 00:27:23,507 I used to have a ladder that was nailed up there. 582 00:27:23,509 --> 00:27:25,876 It seems to have been, since, taken down, 583 00:27:25,878 --> 00:27:27,845 so I'm just going to see if I can't skim me up the back side of it. 584 00:27:27,847 --> 00:27:29,913 See that view again. 585 00:27:29,915 --> 00:27:31,649 It feels really great to be back in my tree house. 586 00:27:31,651 --> 00:27:35,986 Whoo! 587 00:27:35,988 --> 00:27:40,190 It's been a while since I've been in cold water so, here goes nothing! 588 00:27:40,525 --> 00:27:44,962 Oh, my gosh! It's so cold! 589 00:27:44,964 --> 00:27:47,798 What does Bear say? If your hands aren't numb, you're not having fun? 590 00:27:47,800 --> 00:27:49,233 I'm definitely there so. 591 00:27:50,268 --> 00:27:52,002 Look at me now, mom! 592 00:27:52,871 --> 00:27:56,240 Now that we're in Browntown, the real work begins. 593 00:27:58,710 --> 00:27:59,643 We have so much we want to do. 594 00:27:59,645 --> 00:28:01,845 We're just going to set a game plan, 595 00:28:01,847 --> 00:28:06,650 make a list of all the things we want to make sure we get done, and then go. 596 00:28:06,652 --> 00:28:09,853 The mud just helps exfoliate the pores, 597 00:28:09,855 --> 00:28:12,723 just like, like those soaps that have the little tiny things in it. 598 00:28:12,725 --> 00:28:14,825 Except that it's super natural, 599 00:28:14,827 --> 00:28:17,327 and tastes good, if you get it in your teeth. 600 00:28:17,329 --> 00:28:21,699 You know, honestly, not many places have felt like home like Browntown, Alaska has. 601 00:28:21,701 --> 00:28:25,903 The mornings like this, they make it hard to not want to stay. 602 00:28:25,905 --> 00:28:29,606 A part of me definitely just wants to, like, give myself to the wild, 603 00:28:29,608 --> 00:28:31,208 you know, just jump back in. 604 00:28:31,210 --> 00:28:32,843 I want to hunt, I want to fish, 605 00:28:32,845 --> 00:28:35,245 I want to, you know, do all those things. 606 00:28:35,880 --> 00:28:37,848 There are an awfully lot of deer. 607 00:28:37,850 --> 00:28:40,484 I was going to, say, go out for an afternoon. 608 00:28:40,486 --> 00:28:43,220 I think that that would be a very good idea, Bird. 609 00:28:44,989 --> 00:28:47,324 I'm trying to remember the last time I went on a hunt in Alaska. 610 00:28:47,625 --> 00:28:49,693 I don't remember. 611 00:28:49,695 --> 00:28:51,729 I feel like that's just more reason to do another one. 612 00:28:51,731 --> 00:28:53,664 I can't remember the last one. 613 00:28:53,666 --> 00:28:56,600 If I get a deer, which I'm hoping I do, 614 00:28:56,602 --> 00:28:59,870 the plan is definitely we want to eat a little bit in Browntown. 615 00:28:59,872 --> 00:29:01,638 But we want to bring some back to everybody else. 616 00:29:01,640 --> 00:29:05,743 I haven't seen you all so excited and your smiles seem a lot bigger. 617 00:29:05,745 --> 00:29:08,445 For sure, you all, kind of, have that twinkle in your eye. 618 00:29:08,447 --> 00:29:11,782 So many times, in Browntown, I came back with a deer. 619 00:29:11,784 --> 00:29:14,852 And now I want to do the same thing in Washington with an Alaska deer. 620 00:29:14,854 --> 00:29:16,854 Let's get on it, guys! Let's go waste some time! 621 00:29:16,856 --> 00:29:18,222 We're burning daylight. 622 00:29:22,594 --> 00:29:24,461 Okay, let's start doin' it. 623 00:29:24,463 --> 00:29:28,165 So, we got two-by-fours, some plywood. 624 00:29:28,167 --> 00:29:32,669 Bring all the material you can find to the truck and we'll go from there. 625 00:29:32,671 --> 00:29:37,007 [narrator] Fifteen hundred miles away, brothers Bam and Gabe, 626 00:29:37,009 --> 00:29:40,844 rig up a makeshift dump-truck to save time hauling gravel. 627 00:29:40,846 --> 00:29:42,412 What height? 628 00:29:42,414 --> 00:29:45,616 Whatever height this comes to, unless that's really short. 629 00:29:45,618 --> 00:29:47,818 Let's see how quickly we can build this thing. 630 00:29:47,820 --> 00:29:50,521 Well, we don't need to make it exactly perfect, 631 00:29:50,523 --> 00:29:53,123 wonderful, and varnish it, and carve our initials. 632 00:29:53,125 --> 00:29:54,958 Is that the only sheet of plywood you have? 633 00:29:54,960 --> 00:29:56,727 Nope, I have another one back there. 634 00:29:56,729 --> 00:29:57,694 Alright, go get it. 635 00:29:57,729 --> 00:29:59,763 We just need it to hold gravel, 636 00:29:59,765 --> 00:30:04,034 so it just makes sense to just use whatever scrap is lying around. 637 00:30:05,170 --> 00:30:07,604 Actually, no, let's put the angle at the back, I think, right? 638 00:30:07,606 --> 00:30:10,541 But for aerodynamics, let's go ahead and turn around the other way. 639 00:30:10,543 --> 00:30:12,576 We're not shooting for the land speed record, 640 00:30:12,578 --> 00:30:15,679 but if we happen to get it, we will be happy. 641 00:30:15,681 --> 00:30:17,881 You know, when you grow up in the middle of nowhere 642 00:30:17,883 --> 00:30:20,784 with pretty much nothing, you learn how to use what you got. 643 00:30:20,786 --> 00:30:22,886 We never had the, the luxury, 644 00:30:22,888 --> 00:30:25,889 or very rarely, of having like fresh, new lumber. 645 00:30:25,891 --> 00:30:26,924 Make sure the wall's pulled in 646 00:30:26,926 --> 00:30:30,394 and the 4x4 is flush against the bed of the truck. 647 00:30:31,229 --> 00:30:32,563 Let's get that plywood up here. 648 00:30:32,565 --> 00:30:34,097 On it. 649 00:30:34,099 --> 00:30:35,699 We're just nailing boards on there as fast as we can, 650 00:30:35,701 --> 00:30:38,969 because we don't want to take time away from the project. 651 00:30:38,971 --> 00:30:42,272 It's only held together with like goodwill, bubble gum, 652 00:30:42,274 --> 00:30:44,274 and, and very old lumber. 653 00:30:45,009 --> 00:30:46,376 Alright! 654 00:30:46,378 --> 00:30:48,779 It's a box, on the back of the truck. 655 00:30:48,781 --> 00:30:51,014 It's not very pretty, but it will work. 656 00:30:54,786 --> 00:30:56,553 You're gonna hunt in that? 657 00:30:56,555 --> 00:30:57,788 That's all I have, actually. 658 00:30:57,790 --> 00:30:58,755 I have this and my really loud coat. 659 00:30:58,757 --> 00:31:00,724 Well, just so happened, Birdy, 660 00:31:00,726 --> 00:31:03,360 I happened to bring along one of my nice black sweaters. 661 00:31:04,262 --> 00:31:05,829 [narrator] Later in the day, 662 00:31:05,831 --> 00:31:11,869 Bear and Bird suit up for their first Alaskan deer hunt in four years. 663 00:31:11,871 --> 00:31:14,905 I, kind of, feel like I want to, like, climb a tree. 664 00:31:14,907 --> 00:31:17,474 Yeah? Yeah? You're making that bear transition? 665 00:31:17,476 --> 00:31:19,843 - I feel like I slowly am. - It finally happened. 666 00:31:19,845 --> 00:31:22,379 I love your style, Bird. That is pretty awesome. 667 00:31:23,748 --> 00:31:26,316 Bird, you look pretty extreme today. 668 00:31:27,352 --> 00:31:29,419 I think a good hunt is definitely a way to, like, 669 00:31:29,421 --> 00:31:33,757 show myself that I could still survive even in the wild of Alaska. 670 00:31:33,759 --> 00:31:37,928 I'm trying to not take, like, any shortcuts while we're here. 671 00:31:37,930 --> 00:31:41,298 And so, if I don't get a deer, I don't want to eat tonight. 672 00:31:43,234 --> 00:31:45,235 We don't even need a gun, Birdie. 673 00:31:53,544 --> 00:31:54,444 Yeah. 674 00:31:57,882 --> 00:32:00,117 Yeah, let's try to stay out of the water. 675 00:32:00,119 --> 00:32:02,019 So, you go left here, I'll go right. 676 00:32:02,021 --> 00:32:03,020 - Okay? - Meet in the middle. Good! 677 00:32:03,022 --> 00:32:04,421 - Let's do it! - Yes! 678 00:32:06,457 --> 00:32:07,691 It was like, hunting is definitely 679 00:32:08,092 --> 00:32:10,594 one of the most important things to surviving in the bush. 680 00:32:10,596 --> 00:32:12,996 Dad's the one that taught me that. 681 00:32:12,998 --> 00:32:14,798 He is where I learned you can be with your thoughts 682 00:32:14,800 --> 00:32:16,266 when you're hunting. 683 00:32:16,268 --> 00:32:19,069 It doesn't just have to be about getting the animal. 684 00:32:19,071 --> 00:32:23,974 Right here's where the beaver that, actually, has flooded where this creek used to be. 685 00:32:23,976 --> 00:32:26,009 I, kind of, wish I'd see him. 686 00:32:26,611 --> 00:32:29,846 And dad has worked through a lot of his things, 687 00:32:29,848 --> 00:32:32,282 especially when he was younger, with hunting. 688 00:32:45,630 --> 00:32:47,631 This time of year, in Browntown, 689 00:32:47,633 --> 00:32:49,599 you know, the bears are hungry. 690 00:32:49,601 --> 00:32:53,870 And they are also trying to hunt to get all that fat before a winter. 691 00:32:53,872 --> 00:32:55,238 They seem to be hunting on the path I'm hunting, 692 00:32:55,240 --> 00:32:58,742 which is never good. 693 00:32:58,744 --> 00:33:02,846 [narrator] Chichagof Island is home to the densest bear population per square mile, 694 00:33:02,848 --> 00:33:05,782 of any place on Earth. 695 00:33:05,784 --> 00:33:09,386 And with Browntown uninhabited for years, 696 00:33:09,388 --> 00:33:12,990 the bears have had full reign of the land. 697 00:33:13,825 --> 00:33:16,059 Found some deer bones. 698 00:33:16,761 --> 00:33:18,395 This guy was killed quite a while ago, 699 00:33:18,397 --> 00:33:20,330 most likely from a bear. 700 00:33:22,033 --> 00:33:26,136 Essentially the forest and the bears have re-taken over this area. 701 00:33:26,138 --> 00:33:29,740 They're not used to seeing any humans, they're not used to smelling humans. 702 00:33:29,742 --> 00:33:30,841 The wind is right on our back, technically. 703 00:33:30,843 --> 00:33:32,676 So, it's blowing directly in that direction. 704 00:33:32,678 --> 00:33:35,145 So, he may smell us, if there's one up there. 705 00:33:36,748 --> 00:33:39,216 I just heard a, like, a smash. 706 00:33:39,218 --> 00:33:41,918 You don't really want to run into a hungry bear out there. 707 00:33:41,920 --> 00:33:46,189 All I have on me is a darn deer rifle, that doesn't do anything to a bear. 708 00:33:46,191 --> 00:33:48,959 I can smell it. I can hear it, it's definitely there. 709 00:33:54,165 --> 00:33:55,232 Howdy! 710 00:33:56,067 --> 00:33:56,967 Come on in. 711 00:33:58,236 --> 00:33:59,770 Pardon the mess. 712 00:33:59,772 --> 00:34:03,707 I, I've just been doing some clean-up, trying to get ready for the winter. 713 00:34:03,709 --> 00:34:04,841 But yeah, this is the living area. 714 00:34:04,843 --> 00:34:06,643 I got this new stove. 715 00:34:06,645 --> 00:34:09,513 It's a real nice stainless steel propane stove. 716 00:34:09,515 --> 00:34:12,616 And these are my, my wine-making barrels. 717 00:34:12,618 --> 00:34:15,986 The thing I've discovered about my alcohol-making is 718 00:34:15,988 --> 00:34:20,390 it lubricates social interactions. 719 00:34:20,392 --> 00:34:22,926 It's a great barter material. 720 00:34:22,928 --> 00:34:24,761 This is going to be the workshop. 721 00:34:24,763 --> 00:34:25,962 It's also my guest room. 722 00:34:25,964 --> 00:34:29,599 This is a queen-size bed right here on top of these things. 723 00:34:29,601 --> 00:34:31,735 This is what was the old bait shed, 724 00:34:31,737 --> 00:34:35,572 when this was a trawler, and that will be the hot tub. 725 00:34:35,574 --> 00:34:39,976 Because I have found, when you do the kind of stuff I do, 726 00:34:39,978 --> 00:34:45,415 if you can get a couple hours in a hot tub at the end of the day, you recover a lot faster. 727 00:34:45,983 --> 00:34:48,218 Plus, it's a great place to drink. 728 00:34:50,421 --> 00:34:52,389 There's something moving around up there. 729 00:34:52,391 --> 00:34:55,392 I can smell it, I can hear it. It's definitely there. 730 00:34:55,394 --> 00:34:59,229 [narrator] Bear and Bird are on a long-awaited Alaskan deer hunt. 731 00:34:59,231 --> 00:35:01,398 [Bird whispering] There's been a bear here. 732 00:35:01,732 --> 00:35:03,033 A big bear. 733 00:35:03,035 --> 00:35:07,204 [narrator] But Chichigof Island's most dangerous predators 734 00:35:07,206 --> 00:35:09,306 are too close for comfort. 735 00:35:09,941 --> 00:35:10,974 Mamma mia! 736 00:35:10,976 --> 00:35:14,044 There is some heavy bear activity right here, 737 00:35:14,046 --> 00:35:15,445 where they've been searching for grubs. 738 00:35:15,447 --> 00:35:17,981 So, I'm going to go back just a little ways, 739 00:35:17,983 --> 00:35:20,951 and cut to the side, and just let the bear have this area. 740 00:35:22,086 --> 00:35:23,787 With the amount of bear sign that I'm finding, 741 00:35:23,789 --> 00:35:26,656 I'm not even sure if there any deer out here anymore. 742 00:35:26,658 --> 00:35:30,127 Either they've run away, or the bear ate them. 743 00:35:59,090 --> 00:36:01,024 I don't think we're going to get anything. 744 00:36:03,194 --> 00:36:06,096 The last few weeks have definitely not been ideal. 745 00:36:06,098 --> 00:36:09,766 And so, I was hoping that this hunt would kind of be the turnaround for all of that. 746 00:36:09,768 --> 00:36:12,302 But didn't get a deer. 747 00:36:16,541 --> 00:36:19,109 Everything I, kind of, wanted for this trip, 748 00:36:19,111 --> 00:36:20,777 I just feel like it won't necessarily happen, 749 00:36:20,779 --> 00:36:22,679 if I don't get a deer, 750 00:36:22,681 --> 00:36:24,848 because I'm trying to prove to myself that I can. 751 00:36:24,850 --> 00:36:27,384 If I don't get one, I don't know. What was the point? 752 00:36:27,952 --> 00:36:30,754 But you never, you never give up. 753 00:36:30,756 --> 00:36:32,389 If you want something, you go for it. 754 00:36:32,391 --> 00:36:34,090 So, I want to try again. 755 00:36:42,833 --> 00:36:46,336 It's been, kind of, slow doing this bucket-load by bucket-load. 756 00:36:46,338 --> 00:36:49,105 So, if their truck thing worked out well enough, 757 00:36:49,107 --> 00:36:53,543 it'll definitely be a reprieve to get more done at one time. 758 00:36:53,545 --> 00:36:57,781 [narrator] The Brown brothers are working to fix a vital section of their access road, 759 00:36:57,783 --> 00:37:01,551 and with months of mountain restoration still ahead, 760 00:37:01,553 --> 00:37:05,255 they're hoping they've found a way to speed up the process. 761 00:37:05,257 --> 00:37:07,390 I was under the impression they'd be here by now. 762 00:37:08,226 --> 00:37:09,292 Wait. 763 00:37:10,094 --> 00:37:11,428 [car horn honks] 764 00:37:17,935 --> 00:37:19,102 What do you think? 765 00:37:19,737 --> 00:37:20,704 Nicely done. 766 00:37:22,406 --> 00:37:23,807 Is it sturdy enough to hold up to everything? 767 00:37:23,809 --> 00:37:25,909 - We'll find out. - Okay. 768 00:37:25,911 --> 00:37:29,946 Gabe and Bam, did really well on the flatbed dump-truck, 769 00:37:29,948 --> 00:37:34,417 but the dump-truck bed looks a little rickety. 770 00:37:34,419 --> 00:37:35,819 - Ready? - Go for it. 771 00:37:35,821 --> 00:37:37,320 [truck engine starts] 772 00:37:39,790 --> 00:37:41,491 Gabe, don't let me hit the truck. 773 00:37:41,493 --> 00:37:43,093 Yeah, I know. 774 00:37:46,831 --> 00:37:48,999 The one concern, of course, is overloading the truck, 775 00:37:49,001 --> 00:37:50,533 because I don't know what all she can handle, 776 00:37:50,535 --> 00:37:52,702 or how much she can handle. 777 00:37:52,704 --> 00:37:56,906 I'd rather take smaller trips and get all the gravel over there in a few trips, 778 00:37:56,908 --> 00:38:00,043 than break the truck, trying to overload it. 779 00:38:01,979 --> 00:38:03,179 How does the suspension look? 780 00:38:03,181 --> 00:38:05,415 That's the thing we need to worry about. 781 00:38:05,417 --> 00:38:07,050 Hasn't moved much. 782 00:38:07,052 --> 00:38:08,451 I think we should go ahead and take it with what's in there, 783 00:38:08,453 --> 00:38:11,087 see how she does, and if it handles this really easily, 784 00:38:11,089 --> 00:38:13,890 then we can come back and pack her up a little bit more. 785 00:38:13,892 --> 00:38:14,791 Okay. That works. 786 00:38:14,793 --> 00:38:16,493 I'll grab a bucket and meet you up there? 787 00:38:16,495 --> 00:38:18,361 Alright, we'll see you there. 788 00:38:18,363 --> 00:38:19,829 Every time we've brought in this old truck, 789 00:38:19,831 --> 00:38:23,366 I have definitely been pleasantly surprised at what she could do. 790 00:38:24,468 --> 00:38:26,536 I mean, you can haul quite a bit more gravel in the truck 791 00:38:26,538 --> 00:38:29,939 than you could if Noah was just doing it with his bucket. 792 00:38:29,941 --> 00:38:33,043 I think it's definitely safe to say this truck is saving us some time. 793 00:38:33,045 --> 00:38:34,210 How much is left? 794 00:38:34,745 --> 00:38:36,079 Quite a bit. 795 00:38:38,249 --> 00:38:40,250 Keep goin'! Keep goin'! Keep goin'! Keep goin'! 796 00:38:40,252 --> 00:38:42,052 And stop! 797 00:38:43,254 --> 00:38:47,357 Now this is definitely a good start to all the rebuilding we have to do ahead of us. 798 00:38:47,359 --> 00:38:51,127 It definitely gets us, kind of, planned and pointed in the right direction. 799 00:38:51,129 --> 00:38:53,596 You know, if we just have every project go as smoothly as this one, 800 00:38:53,598 --> 00:38:55,732 I think we'll be sitting pretty in no time. 801 00:38:55,734 --> 00:38:59,035 Alright, a few more loads and we'll have the culvert anchored, 802 00:38:59,037 --> 00:39:01,004 and then we can focus on just building it up. 803 00:39:01,006 --> 00:39:02,172 Let's just keep it rolling. 804 00:39:02,406 --> 00:39:03,973 - Okay! - Sure! 805 00:39:18,956 --> 00:39:23,893 It's actually sometimes harder to start a fire inside a stove, I've found. 806 00:39:23,895 --> 00:39:25,562 - You set it just right. - Yeah! 807 00:39:25,564 --> 00:39:29,532 [narrator] Temperatures are rapidly dropping in southeast Alaska, 808 00:39:29,534 --> 00:39:32,535 and as night begins to fall on Browntown, 809 00:39:32,537 --> 00:39:36,172 the siblings prepare for an incoming storm. 810 00:39:36,174 --> 00:39:38,641 Weather in Alaska can totally turn in a moment. 811 00:39:38,643 --> 00:39:40,443 It can be sunny one second, and then all of a sudden, 812 00:39:40,445 --> 00:39:42,912 it could be wind, and then it can be snow, literally. 813 00:39:42,914 --> 00:39:46,750 We weren't expecting to have a super bad storm and it's a bit of a concern, 814 00:39:46,752 --> 00:39:49,052 because it's just the girls and I. 815 00:39:49,054 --> 00:39:53,123 So, it is best if we just stay inside all together right now. 816 00:39:53,125 --> 00:39:55,225 I'm hoping it's not that bad. 817 00:40:01,632 --> 00:40:03,400 [Bear] Bedtime? 818 00:40:03,402 --> 00:40:06,436 [Bird] I have your sleeping bag. Take it away. 819 00:40:07,772 --> 00:40:09,539 Stormy night in Browntown. 820 00:40:09,541 --> 00:40:12,175 It's time to get some shut-eye. 821 00:40:14,745 --> 00:40:18,882 Even when there's a storm in front of you that's predicted to be bad, 822 00:40:18,884 --> 00:40:21,217 you can't help but think about the ones you've had before. 823 00:40:21,219 --> 00:40:22,952 And we've had some doozies. 824 00:40:25,956 --> 00:40:30,026 The weather in Alaska, it was tough. It could get downright nasty. 825 00:40:30,928 --> 00:40:32,429 It can get life-threatening. 826 00:40:33,631 --> 00:40:35,398 It is bad out there. 827 00:40:39,003 --> 00:40:43,039 [narrator] On the next episode of Alaskan Bush People. 828 00:40:46,677 --> 00:40:48,478 The Integrity is in town. 829 00:40:48,480 --> 00:40:51,414 - Yes, it's her, guy! - She's red? 830 00:40:51,416 --> 00:40:54,117 My fingers are just crossed she drives straight and isn't broken. 831 00:40:54,119 --> 00:40:56,085 Oh, man! 832 00:40:56,087 --> 00:40:59,989 One of the big concerns with Bird going to Alaska is all the cats that she has here. 833 00:41:02,092 --> 00:41:03,593 Feel it in the eyes. 834 00:41:03,595 --> 00:41:05,762 This guy is my war horse. 835 00:41:05,764 --> 00:41:07,964 It's not going as smooth as Noah wanted. 836 00:41:07,966 --> 00:41:08,998 Wild stallion! 837 00:41:09,000 --> 00:41:10,366 [horse neighing] 838 00:41:10,368 --> 00:41:11,201 Everybody's on? 839 00:41:11,203 --> 00:41:14,070 I've never run the Integrity by myself. 840 00:41:14,072 --> 00:41:15,905 There's quite a bit of reef. 841 00:41:15,907 --> 00:41:16,706 Hold on! 842 00:41:16,740 --> 00:41:17,941 There you are! 843 00:41:18,943 --> 00:41:22,111 I need to do this for myself, to finish what I came to do.