1 00:00:02,200 --> 00:00:05,000 How do you get an excavator stuck? 2 00:00:05,167 --> 00:00:08,634 Oh, my dad. 3 00:00:11,100 --> 00:00:13,667 Get the cable. 4 00:00:13,834 --> 00:00:15,667 Clint, get a hold of this thing. 5 00:00:15,834 --> 00:00:17,434 We're going for it. 6 00:00:19,901 --> 00:00:20,968 Try to turn the tracks. 7 00:00:25,100 --> 00:00:26,601 Not looking good, not looking good. 8 00:00:27,767 --> 00:00:29,200 We're running out of daylight. 9 00:00:29,367 --> 00:00:33,467 So this mistake could be really, really costly. 10 00:00:33,634 --> 00:00:35,567 I ain't moving it at all. 11 00:00:35,734 --> 00:00:37,167 We gotta get a bigger wrecker. 12 00:00:38,968 --> 00:00:41,367 The biggest problem on this homestead is living 13 00:00:41,534 --> 00:00:42,868 on top of a mountain. 14 00:00:43,033 --> 00:00:44,901 You're nowhere near the water source. 15 00:00:45,067 --> 00:00:48,267 These homesteaders are at war with coyotes. 16 00:00:48,434 --> 00:00:50,767 The sheep were getting picked off, even during the day. 17 00:00:50,934 --> 00:00:51,900 They're newbies. 18 00:00:51,901 --> 00:00:54,667 Did you bite off more than you can chew? 19 00:00:54,834 --> 00:00:58,167 I truly believe we were meant to be here. 20 00:00:58,334 --> 00:01:02,100 Would you ever consider moving down to the water source? 21 00:01:03,567 --> 00:01:05,601 - No. - That's crazy. 22 00:01:07,300 --> 00:01:08,868 We're gonna have to get creative. 23 00:01:09,033 --> 00:01:12,067 And this is an incredible amount of work. 24 00:01:13,267 --> 00:01:17,667 This is the worst day on any homestead ever. 25 00:01:17,834 --> 00:01:21,667 This is important for us to make this work. 26 00:01:21,834 --> 00:01:23,501 The future of your homestead 27 00:01:23,667 --> 00:01:25,067 is at the bottom of the mountain. 28 00:01:25,234 --> 00:01:27,000 I hate to be the one that breaks it to you 29 00:01:40,667 --> 00:01:43,067 It's springtime in the Appalachian Mountains 30 00:01:43,234 --> 00:01:44,868 of West Virginia. 31 00:01:45,033 --> 00:01:49,267 A region steeped in history, the unforgiving forests, 32 00:01:49,434 --> 00:01:53,567 deep cave systems, and abandoned coal mines 33 00:01:53,734 --> 00:01:57,067 made it a safe haven for bootleggers and moonshiners 34 00:01:57,234 --> 00:02:00,501 during the 1920s Prohibition Era. 35 00:02:00,667 --> 00:02:04,267 This led to a homesteading boom in the hills, where early 36 00:02:04,434 --> 00:02:08,767 settlers transformed raw land into productive farms 37 00:02:08,934 --> 00:02:11,667 using the resources for building and fuel. 38 00:02:13,267 --> 00:02:16,667 Now, nearly 100 years later, 39 00:02:16,834 --> 00:02:20,767 the Raneys respond to a desperate call from a young family 40 00:02:20,934 --> 00:02:23,667 whose 89-acre mountaintop homestead 41 00:02:23,834 --> 00:02:27,667 is in a losing battle against Appalachian extremes. 42 00:02:29,267 --> 00:02:31,601 - I'm Paul. - And I'm Stephanie. 43 00:02:31,767 --> 00:02:34,901 And this is our homestead in western West Virginia 44 00:02:35,067 --> 00:02:37,767 with our five children. 45 00:02:37,934 --> 00:02:40,200 Two years ago, we purchased this property, 46 00:02:40,367 --> 00:02:42,000 sight unseen. 47 00:02:42,167 --> 00:02:44,601 When we first saw it, we got really scared 48 00:02:44,767 --> 00:02:47,367 'cause all we did was look up and we're like, 49 00:02:47,534 --> 00:02:48,968 we bought a mountain. 50 00:02:49,133 --> 00:02:51,467 We moved a year later. 51 00:02:51,634 --> 00:02:53,267 It took a lot of work, but it is 52 00:02:53,434 --> 00:02:54,633 the most beautiful thing. 53 00:02:54,634 --> 00:02:57,701 We have 360 views all the way around where we decided 54 00:02:57,868 --> 00:03:00,267 to start putting the animals, the house site. 55 00:03:00,434 --> 00:03:02,868 We're calling it a barn-dominium-container-style 56 00:03:03,033 --> 00:03:06,567 home that we're building from the ground up here ourselves. 57 00:03:06,734 --> 00:03:10,667 Our number one goal is to live farm-to-table. 58 00:03:10,834 --> 00:03:14,367 So we know exactly what is going into the animals 59 00:03:14,534 --> 00:03:16,501 and what they're eating, and that they're eating healthy. 60 00:03:16,667 --> 00:03:19,701 So then, in turn, we're eating healthy as well. 61 00:03:19,868 --> 00:03:22,901 But Mother Nature literally tried to kill us 62 00:03:23,067 --> 00:03:25,100 in every single season that we've been here. 63 00:03:26,701 --> 00:03:29,367 We had a drought. We had a tornado. 64 00:03:29,534 --> 00:03:33,067 I did have a greenhouse, but Hurricane Helene lifted up 65 00:03:33,234 --> 00:03:35,667 out of the stakes, twisted into a pretzel, and ended up across 66 00:03:35,834 --> 00:03:38,868 the road in the woods. - And then, worst winter in, 67 00:03:39,033 --> 00:03:41,701 I believe they said 15 years, 68 00:03:41,868 --> 00:03:43,067 the coldest temperatures. 69 00:03:44,300 --> 00:03:45,400 It was a very hard year. 70 00:03:47,601 --> 00:03:50,667 But the danger that's really given us nightmares 71 00:03:50,834 --> 00:03:52,100 are the coyotes. 72 00:03:52,267 --> 00:03:55,100 Coyotes were coming up on our hill, even during the day. 73 00:03:55,267 --> 00:03:59,868 Paul took Jaslynne, my daughter, for a walk, and that's when 74 00:04:00,100 --> 00:04:02,300 they found one of our lambs. 75 00:04:02,467 --> 00:04:06,701 Something had ripped the guts out and drug it down off of 76 00:04:06,868 --> 00:04:11,501 our hill, and we've been losing animals ever since. 77 00:04:11,667 --> 00:04:15,467 But we haven't had much time to kinda navigate because all 78 00:04:15,634 --> 00:04:17,801 we've been doing is sourcing water. 79 00:04:20,267 --> 00:04:22,200 For me to grab water, I hop in the truck 80 00:04:22,367 --> 00:04:24,567 with a 275-gallon tank. 81 00:04:24,734 --> 00:04:27,167 I drive roughly about four miles. 82 00:04:27,334 --> 00:04:30,100 I pump the water out of the stream into the tank, 83 00:04:30,267 --> 00:04:32,501 and then I drive another four miles all the way back up. 84 00:04:32,667 --> 00:04:35,467 The process is roughly three hours, and I do this every 85 00:04:35,634 --> 00:04:38,267 single day, 365 days a year. 86 00:04:38,434 --> 00:04:41,467 We are spending all of our time hauling water, 87 00:04:41,634 --> 00:04:45,100 moving water, providing water to our animals. 88 00:04:45,267 --> 00:04:48,100 With all the challenges of living on top of a mountain, 89 00:04:48,267 --> 00:04:51,467 with five kids to take care of, something has to change. 90 00:04:51,634 --> 00:04:52,701 There's no plan B. 91 00:04:52,868 --> 00:04:55,367 We have to figure out a way to make this work. 92 00:04:55,534 --> 00:04:57,067 Raneys, we really need your help. 93 00:04:58,367 --> 00:04:59,667 This is our lifelong dream. 94 00:04:59,834 --> 00:05:02,467 Like, we've been planning and working for this for over 95 00:05:02,634 --> 00:05:05,767 16 years, but we have had challenges that we did not 96 00:05:05,934 --> 00:05:07,901 expect here, for sure. 97 00:05:08,067 --> 00:05:11,100 Wind, tornadoes, the worst drought in probably 98 00:05:11,267 --> 00:05:14,767 40, 50 years. - Our stream dried up. 99 00:05:14,934 --> 00:05:16,667 How many acres do you guys have? 100 00:05:16,834 --> 00:05:17,999 Eighty-nine. 101 00:05:18,000 --> 00:05:21,167 So if you've got 90 acres, why be clear up here where 102 00:05:21,334 --> 00:05:24,267 there's wind and extreme weather, etcetera? 103 00:05:24,434 --> 00:05:28,400 Just this setting and being up here, this is everything 104 00:05:28,567 --> 00:05:30,567 we dreamt and wanted. 105 00:05:32,367 --> 00:05:34,868 I was born in Portugal, and I came here 106 00:05:35,033 --> 00:05:37,267 when I was seven. 107 00:05:37,434 --> 00:05:41,701 I was raised on a property that was off-grid, no power, 108 00:05:41,868 --> 00:05:45,267 no running water, with a lot of animals. 109 00:05:45,434 --> 00:05:49,701 I like living off-grid, so this was always my dream. 110 00:05:49,868 --> 00:05:53,000 Paul and I met when we were kids in middle school, 111 00:05:53,167 --> 00:05:56,167 and we dated on and off throughout the years, 112 00:05:56,334 --> 00:05:58,767 and when we got back together, it was like, 113 00:05:58,934 --> 00:06:01,467 "OK, when's the wedding?" 114 00:06:01,634 --> 00:06:03,467 Initially, we moved to Pennsylvania, 115 00:06:03,634 --> 00:06:06,767 but our business was still in New Jersey, so Paul was coming 116 00:06:06,934 --> 00:06:09,400 home once or twice a week and staying there 117 00:06:09,567 --> 00:06:11,100 for the duration. 118 00:06:11,267 --> 00:06:14,868 I actually started raising chickens in my garage. 119 00:06:15,033 --> 00:06:16,868 We had chickens for eggs. 120 00:06:17,033 --> 00:06:19,901 We raised meat birds and processed them ourselves. 121 00:06:20,067 --> 00:06:24,267 The children actually grew up helping with that as well. 122 00:06:24,434 --> 00:06:28,267 Stephanie and Paul continued to find small ways to homestead 123 00:06:28,434 --> 00:06:30,167 in everyday life 124 00:06:30,334 --> 00:06:33,667 until a medical diagnosis changed everything. 125 00:06:34,701 --> 00:06:38,901 When my oldest son was four, almost five, he had an abrupt 126 00:06:39,067 --> 00:06:42,267 onset of symptoms from PANDAS or PANS, 127 00:06:42,434 --> 00:06:46,567 which is a neuro-inflammatory disease. 128 00:06:47,767 --> 00:06:49,467 What could I control, right? 129 00:06:49,634 --> 00:06:51,267 That's kind of where my brain was. 130 00:06:51,434 --> 00:06:53,767 And if it's not the medical stuff itself, 131 00:06:53,934 --> 00:06:55,100 it's definitely our food. 132 00:06:56,267 --> 00:06:59,767 Overall, since moving here, it's helped the kids in 133 00:06:59,934 --> 00:07:01,667 a variety of ways, but definitely 134 00:07:01,834 --> 00:07:03,099 with their health. 135 00:07:03,100 --> 00:07:06,100 Being outdoors and just having this space has been nothing 136 00:07:06,267 --> 00:07:07,901 but positive for them. 137 00:07:08,067 --> 00:07:11,467 This has to work, not just for us and all the years planning 138 00:07:11,634 --> 00:07:14,100 up to this, but for our children 139 00:07:14,267 --> 00:07:16,367 and for their health. 140 00:07:16,534 --> 00:07:17,901 It's all or nothing. 141 00:07:18,067 --> 00:07:20,467 We don't have a different life to go back to. 142 00:07:20,634 --> 00:07:23,200 This is our life now, and it has to work. 143 00:07:25,167 --> 00:07:26,667 So you've been here for a year. 144 00:07:26,834 --> 00:07:29,100 - Mm-hmm. - How many animals do you have? 145 00:07:29,267 --> 00:07:31,167 Over 300 animals. 146 00:07:31,334 --> 00:07:32,701 Wow. 147 00:07:32,868 --> 00:07:37,868 Chickens, turkeys, ducks, sheep, dogs, 148 00:07:38,033 --> 00:07:41,567 horses, cows, geese, 149 00:07:41,734 --> 00:07:44,667 emus, and pigs. 150 00:07:44,834 --> 00:07:47,901 We've never encountered a homesteader that started out 151 00:07:48,067 --> 00:07:52,100 and got over 300 livestock. - Yes. 152 00:07:52,267 --> 00:07:53,601 We're a big family. 153 00:07:53,767 --> 00:07:57,100 It's a lot, so taking that into consideration. 154 00:07:57,267 --> 00:07:59,567 What livestock is having the biggest problem? 155 00:07:59,734 --> 00:08:01,167 - The sheep. - The sheep? 156 00:08:01,334 --> 00:08:03,567 - The sheep, uh... - Really? 157 00:08:03,734 --> 00:08:06,067 The sheep have been getting picked off by coyotes, 158 00:08:06,234 --> 00:08:07,167 even during the day. 159 00:08:07,334 --> 00:08:09,200 So coyotes have been a major problem. 160 00:08:11,000 --> 00:08:13,667 How many coyotes are out here, do you think? 161 00:08:13,834 --> 00:08:15,767 There's definitely more than 30 coming 162 00:08:15,934 --> 00:08:17,501 from different directions. 163 00:08:17,667 --> 00:08:20,367 We've eliminated about 10 at this point here. 164 00:08:20,534 --> 00:08:22,400 So that bus that you see sitting there is 165 00:08:22,567 --> 00:08:23,901 our hunting camp. 166 00:08:24,067 --> 00:08:26,367 And our bait pile is directly down the hill. 167 00:08:27,868 --> 00:08:30,901 Our neighbor hangs a deer carcass during deer season 168 00:08:31,067 --> 00:08:33,267 every year, and she's got a heater and her little camp 169 00:08:33,434 --> 00:08:34,767 set up with her rifle on the stand. 170 00:08:34,934 --> 00:08:36,901 And as they come in, she takes them right out. 171 00:08:37,067 --> 00:08:40,100 And so we kinda set up something similar to that. 172 00:08:40,267 --> 00:08:43,667 - Did she ever win the fight? - No, they just keep coming. 173 00:08:43,834 --> 00:08:45,367 And have you ever thought that you might be bringing 174 00:08:45,534 --> 00:08:49,968 the coyotes in more than you're actually, warding them off? 175 00:08:50,133 --> 00:08:52,968 I don't think we'll ever eliminate as many as there are 176 00:08:53,133 --> 00:08:54,367 in this area. 177 00:08:54,534 --> 00:08:56,267 Well, I'm gonna tell you, you're not gonna eliminate 178 00:08:56,434 --> 00:08:58,968 all of them. It's just not gonna work. 179 00:09:00,167 --> 00:09:01,667 Coyotes are opportunists. 180 00:09:01,834 --> 00:09:04,968 If you have livestock that is easily picked off, 181 00:09:05,133 --> 00:09:07,167 they're gonna use your homestead as a food source 182 00:09:07,334 --> 00:09:09,267 over and over again. 183 00:09:09,434 --> 00:09:11,567 But the biggest problem is this homestead 184 00:09:11,734 --> 00:09:13,501 is on top of a mountain. 185 00:09:13,667 --> 00:09:18,100 They're very susceptible to predatory animals around the perimeter. 186 00:09:18,267 --> 00:09:21,868 And they're not gonna solve by shooting these coyotes every 187 00:09:22,033 --> 00:09:24,167 time they come in because they're never gonna stop. 188 00:09:29,267 --> 00:09:33,801 How far is it from the house up on top to wherever we're going, 189 00:09:33,968 --> 00:09:36,901 where the water is? - About roughly four miles. 190 00:09:38,601 --> 00:09:41,000 I just did something that I've never done 191 00:09:41,167 --> 00:09:43,400 on a homestead ever before. 192 00:09:43,567 --> 00:09:47,667 I drove for four miles, and we were still 193 00:09:47,834 --> 00:09:48,901 on their property. 194 00:09:50,868 --> 00:09:52,067 This is where I get the water from. 195 00:09:52,234 --> 00:09:53,334 OK. 196 00:09:55,801 --> 00:09:57,467 All right. 197 00:09:57,634 --> 00:10:00,200 - What are we looking at here? - We pump it right from here. 198 00:10:01,367 --> 00:10:03,567 - Oh, that water looks great. - Yes. 199 00:10:03,734 --> 00:10:06,467 - Now, did this ever go dry? - Yes. 200 00:10:06,634 --> 00:10:08,567 - Three months, four months? - That's a long time. 201 00:10:08,734 --> 00:10:09,767 Yeah. 202 00:10:09,934 --> 00:10:11,501 So how often are you getting water? 203 00:10:11,667 --> 00:10:12,667 Every single day. 204 00:10:14,067 --> 00:10:15,267 Every single day. 205 00:10:15,434 --> 00:10:16,667 Like today, you're gonna have to get water. 206 00:10:16,834 --> 00:10:19,000 I already did it early this morning. 207 00:10:19,167 --> 00:10:21,300 So then, where did you get your water when this dried up? 208 00:10:21,467 --> 00:10:22,901 The neighbors helped me out with their wells. 209 00:10:24,000 --> 00:10:26,400 Huge. Hats off. 210 00:10:26,567 --> 00:10:29,601 Paul has been working nonstop for the past year, 211 00:10:29,767 --> 00:10:32,501 hauling water-- that takes a lot of time. 212 00:10:32,667 --> 00:10:36,467 That means the rest of their homestead doesn't get any 213 00:10:36,634 --> 00:10:40,367 attention because they've chosen a severe place 214 00:10:40,534 --> 00:10:44,400 to grow food, to raise animals, and survive and thrive 215 00:10:44,567 --> 00:10:45,567 as a homesteader. 216 00:10:46,567 --> 00:10:47,901 Not a small task. 217 00:10:55,267 --> 00:10:56,901 Let's talk garden. 218 00:10:57,067 --> 00:11:00,767 The soil looks like very rocky, heavy clay. 219 00:11:00,934 --> 00:11:02,767 Lots of clay because of a lot of work 220 00:11:02,934 --> 00:11:05,567 that had to be done here for us to even get up here. 221 00:11:05,734 --> 00:11:09,367 So not the best ground to be working with. 222 00:11:09,534 --> 00:11:11,167 These homesteaders, they're newbies. 223 00:11:11,334 --> 00:11:13,667 They've been here for about a year and they have a lot 224 00:11:13,834 --> 00:11:15,767 to show for their time here. 225 00:11:15,934 --> 00:11:18,868 But to actually be successful homesteaders, 226 00:11:19,033 --> 00:11:21,901 there's so many boxes to check. 227 00:11:22,067 --> 00:11:24,868 And when it comes to gardening and growing food, 228 00:11:25,033 --> 00:11:26,400 I wanna know where they're at. 229 00:11:27,567 --> 00:11:29,767 These raised beds came in later. 230 00:11:29,934 --> 00:11:32,567 Um, this was after the season had ended. 231 00:11:32,734 --> 00:11:34,701 Topsoil was spread here, 232 00:11:34,868 --> 00:11:36,300 even though it doesn't look like... 233 00:11:37,400 --> 00:11:38,467 there was any. 234 00:11:38,634 --> 00:11:40,767 How are you watering this garden? 235 00:11:40,934 --> 00:11:43,501 So we are hauling water from the stream, 236 00:11:43,667 --> 00:11:45,100 down at the bottom of our property. 237 00:11:45,267 --> 00:11:48,367 So you have a stream on your homestead? 238 00:11:48,534 --> 00:11:50,767 - Correct. - It's just you're nowhere near 239 00:11:50,934 --> 00:11:51,801 the water source. 240 00:11:51,968 --> 00:11:54,100 - Right. - Does this wind ever stop? 241 00:11:54,267 --> 00:11:57,100 Uh, every day, we get some-- some of this. 242 00:11:57,267 --> 00:11:59,367 - Yeah, yeah. - So every day it's windy 'cause you're at the top 243 00:11:59,534 --> 00:12:00,567 of this mountain, that's, like, the... - Yeah. 244 00:12:00,734 --> 00:12:02,067 There's nothing blocking it, yeah. 245 00:12:02,234 --> 00:12:05,167 It's the invisible killer for plants 246 00:12:05,334 --> 00:12:08,267 'cause it just sucks all the moisture right out of 'em. 247 00:12:08,434 --> 00:12:12,367 With this amount of animals, do you have time in the day 248 00:12:12,534 --> 00:12:14,367 for a greenhouse and a garden? 249 00:12:14,534 --> 00:12:16,767 - I will make time in the day. - You'll make time? 250 00:12:16,934 --> 00:12:19,300 I'm a 110% person, all in. 251 00:12:19,467 --> 00:12:23,367 Like, I want to be able to grow produce for the kids 252 00:12:23,534 --> 00:12:25,868 and for us. - And how are the kids doing? 253 00:12:27,100 --> 00:12:29,868 They-- -- they love it here. 254 00:12:30,033 --> 00:12:33,467 Tristen, who still struggles a little bit medically, 255 00:12:33,634 --> 00:12:34,868 he's kinda up and down. And Julia... 256 00:12:35,033 --> 00:12:37,567 - How old is he? - He's-- he just turned 14. 257 00:12:37,734 --> 00:12:39,701 And what are the health concerns? 258 00:12:39,868 --> 00:12:42,501 Basically, it's a neuro-inflammatory disease, 259 00:12:42,667 --> 00:12:44,567 where the body attacks the brain, 260 00:12:44,734 --> 00:12:46,167 and it causes inflammation. 261 00:12:47,200 --> 00:12:51,200 But he hasn't had a major flare-up since we've been here. 262 00:12:51,367 --> 00:12:54,100 - And you-- you know. you're a mom . - Mm-hmm. 263 00:12:54,267 --> 00:12:56,701 You put whatever you can into your kid. 264 00:12:56,868 --> 00:12:57,834 Mm-hmm. 265 00:12:58,000 --> 00:13:00,367 And that's what's most important, so, um. 266 00:13:04,367 --> 00:13:06,667 Yeah. It was a journey. 267 00:13:08,000 --> 00:13:11,067 But we made it. We're here, and so this is 268 00:13:12,067 --> 00:13:13,868 important for us to make this work. 269 00:13:16,100 --> 00:13:19,167 If you're a parent, you don't care about anything 270 00:13:19,334 --> 00:13:21,367 else except for your children. 271 00:13:21,534 --> 00:13:25,667 The whole world revolves around the health and happiness 272 00:13:25,834 --> 00:13:27,032 of your child. 273 00:13:27,033 --> 00:13:29,667 So to hear that there are some health concerns and that 274 00:13:29,834 --> 00:13:32,767 this lifestyle can only help, like I get it. 275 00:13:32,934 --> 00:13:34,166 I understand it. 276 00:13:34,167 --> 00:13:37,167 To be able to create something for her and the children, 277 00:13:37,334 --> 00:13:39,300 like clearly that's really important. 278 00:13:39,467 --> 00:13:42,167 And this is like, a make-it-or-break-it homestead. 279 00:13:50,000 --> 00:13:51,567 Hear that wind? 280 00:13:51,734 --> 00:13:55,267 Between the two homesteaders, it takes them an entire day 281 00:13:55,434 --> 00:13:59,200 just to water the homestead. And that day is every day. 282 00:13:59,367 --> 00:14:02,601 - That's right. - I mean, it's brutal. 283 00:14:02,767 --> 00:14:04,200 So I went on a field trip. 284 00:14:04,367 --> 00:14:07,400 Four miles later, we were at the bottom of this property. 285 00:14:07,567 --> 00:14:09,267 - Four miles later. - It's crazy. 286 00:14:10,367 --> 00:14:13,467 Right now, these homesteaders are at war with coyotes. 287 00:14:13,634 --> 00:14:15,767 There's casualties on both sides. 288 00:14:15,934 --> 00:14:19,567 It's a complete free-for-all. Nothing is safe. 289 00:14:19,734 --> 00:14:22,968 And the only way they're dealing with those coyotes is 290 00:14:23,133 --> 00:14:24,367 by shooting 'em. 291 00:14:24,534 --> 00:14:27,367 They either have not enough defense, 292 00:14:27,534 --> 00:14:31,267 too many animals, or both. 293 00:14:31,434 --> 00:14:33,167 We need to get rid of some of the livestock. 294 00:14:33,334 --> 00:14:34,567 It needs to go get slaughtered. 295 00:14:36,334 --> 00:14:38,567 I wanna know if we can get these homesteaders 296 00:14:38,734 --> 00:14:40,000 to move to the bottom. 297 00:14:41,200 --> 00:14:43,067 Well, we will-- not gonna know the answer to any 298 00:14:43,234 --> 00:14:46,767 of that unless we ask him face-to-face. 299 00:14:46,934 --> 00:14:47,868 Face-to-face. 300 00:14:55,100 --> 00:14:57,901 Well, we're excited to be in West Virginia. 301 00:14:58,067 --> 00:15:01,968 Found this beautiful big family on top of a mountain. 302 00:15:02,133 --> 00:15:05,467 One thing we were talking about, 303 00:15:05,634 --> 00:15:12,000 why wouldn't you have built down there by that stream? 304 00:15:12,167 --> 00:15:14,367 Why not have built the homestead there? 305 00:15:14,534 --> 00:15:19,300 When I pictured our homestead for over 16 years, 306 00:15:19,467 --> 00:15:23,267 I pictured looking out and seeing like a beautiful view. 307 00:15:23,434 --> 00:15:25,000 So that's huge. 308 00:15:25,167 --> 00:15:29,300 Would you ever consider moving this operation down 309 00:15:29,467 --> 00:15:30,600 to the water source? 310 00:15:30,601 --> 00:15:32,501 Next to that stream that we're pumping water from? 311 00:15:32,667 --> 00:15:35,100 Anywhere closer to the water. Anywhere. 312 00:15:38,367 --> 00:15:39,367 No. 313 00:15:40,567 --> 00:15:42,100 You can answer however you wanna answer, 314 00:15:42,267 --> 00:15:45,467 but really, take time to think about the future 315 00:15:45,634 --> 00:15:48,400 and the longevity and big plans. 316 00:15:48,567 --> 00:15:53,200 And everything we wanna do here is going to require water. 317 00:15:55,400 --> 00:15:59,100 Will you think on it tonight? It is so important. 318 00:15:59,267 --> 00:16:03,367 It deserves a little more than three seconds to think on. 319 00:16:04,467 --> 00:16:05,467 And the other thing is... 320 00:16:07,434 --> 00:16:09,567 ...there's a lot of animals here. 321 00:16:09,734 --> 00:16:13,767 Would it be easier if you scaled back on the number 322 00:16:13,934 --> 00:16:17,267 of animals here, based on the obvious challenge it is 323 00:16:17,434 --> 00:16:19,901 to keep everything fed, and more importantly, 324 00:16:20,067 --> 00:16:23,067 watered up here, it's something to think about. 325 00:16:23,234 --> 00:16:26,467 We'll honor any of your decisions within reason. 326 00:16:29,367 --> 00:16:30,267 See you in the morning. 327 00:16:30,434 --> 00:16:31,267 Get some rest, thank you. 328 00:16:31,434 --> 00:16:32,367 Yeah, get some sleep. 329 00:16:42,868 --> 00:16:44,667 2 All right, you guys. 330 00:16:44,834 --> 00:16:46,667 - Good morning. - Good morning. 331 00:16:46,834 --> 00:16:48,167 - How are you guys? - Good. 332 00:16:48,334 --> 00:16:49,901 - How are you? - Nice seeing you both. 333 00:16:50,067 --> 00:16:51,467 So we gotta hit the ground running. 334 00:16:51,634 --> 00:16:53,167 - Yeah. - Did you have a chance 335 00:16:53,334 --> 00:16:56,667 to slow down a little bit, stop hauling water 336 00:16:56,834 --> 00:16:59,367 and feeding 300 animals, and discuss the, uh, 337 00:16:59,534 --> 00:17:03,100 two questions that we were posing last night? 338 00:17:04,367 --> 00:17:05,400 - We did. - Yeah. 339 00:17:07,868 --> 00:17:09,434 All right, let's start with the first one. 340 00:17:11,901 --> 00:17:14,000 Is it a possibility? You would relocate? 341 00:17:16,467 --> 00:17:17,467 No. 342 00:17:19,067 --> 00:17:22,868 Our vision over 16 years was to be up high. 343 00:17:23,033 --> 00:17:25,801 We need to be able to make the homestead dream 344 00:17:25,968 --> 00:17:27,300 work from here. 345 00:17:27,467 --> 00:17:30,667 I truly believe we were meant to be here. 346 00:17:34,200 --> 00:17:37,067 I think they're on the wrong path. 347 00:17:37,234 --> 00:17:40,701 That said, I will not abandon this homestead because 348 00:17:40,868 --> 00:17:46,601 five kids, 300 animals need help. 349 00:17:46,767 --> 00:17:49,300 We have to figure it out. 350 00:17:49,467 --> 00:17:52,100 Second question we posed last night, obviously, was, 351 00:17:52,267 --> 00:17:56,300 is it gonna help you guys if you scale back on some 352 00:17:56,467 --> 00:17:58,467 of the animals? We got 300 or so. 353 00:17:58,634 --> 00:18:01,968 Actually, we've been talking about increasing some numbers 354 00:18:02,133 --> 00:18:04,667 in some areas. - That's crazy. 355 00:18:06,100 --> 00:18:10,267 Everything that we're talking about right now is more water, 356 00:18:10,434 --> 00:18:12,801 something you don't have. 357 00:18:12,968 --> 00:18:15,167 You're talking about bringing more animals out here, 358 00:18:15,334 --> 00:18:18,000 and you don't have enough space, but you're still going 359 00:18:18,167 --> 00:18:20,167 full steam ahead, 360 00:18:20,334 --> 00:18:22,868 putting more animals in a space that is not big enough. 361 00:18:24,167 --> 00:18:25,801 This isn't your average homestead 362 00:18:25,968 --> 00:18:27,501 with an average solution. 363 00:18:27,667 --> 00:18:30,767 Did you bite off more than you can chew? 364 00:18:30,934 --> 00:18:32,133 Absolutely. 365 00:18:32,300 --> 00:18:36,167 Hearing you say you wanna bring more here blows my mind, 366 00:18:36,334 --> 00:18:38,067 'cause I don't know how that's possible. 367 00:18:39,100 --> 00:18:42,300 This is an incredible amount of work 368 00:18:42,467 --> 00:18:43,634 we're gonna have to get creative. 369 00:18:43,801 --> 00:18:46,167 We're gonna have to make some really hard decisions, 370 00:18:46,334 --> 00:18:48,067 and you're gonna be the one making it. 371 00:18:48,234 --> 00:18:50,100 I'm gonna present you with options, and it's gonna be 372 00:18:50,267 --> 00:18:52,400 your decision, and it's not gonna be easy. 373 00:18:52,567 --> 00:18:55,067 There's no easy solution for this homestead. 374 00:18:57,267 --> 00:19:02,067 Paul and I came from a place where we didn't have help. 375 00:19:02,234 --> 00:19:04,868 We started working when we were really young, 376 00:19:05,033 --> 00:19:08,000 and we kinda just chipped away at it. 377 00:19:08,167 --> 00:19:11,567 We've sacrificed so much to get to this point. 378 00:19:11,734 --> 00:19:15,701 It's hard even to have a thought of giving up on that dream. 379 00:19:15,868 --> 00:19:18,767 I don't think the garden should be up here. 380 00:19:18,934 --> 00:19:21,667 - Being on the mountaintop with all of the challenges - Mm-hmm. 381 00:19:21,834 --> 00:19:24,367 and the obstacles, the high wind, the no water, 382 00:19:24,534 --> 00:19:28,000 this soil that's been stripped, or at the bottom of the mountain. 383 00:19:28,167 --> 00:19:31,367 - How far is that? - It's 50 acres away. 384 00:19:31,534 --> 00:19:32,767 We should look around at some options. 385 00:19:34,767 --> 00:19:35,934 Here we go. 386 00:19:38,400 --> 00:19:40,868 Is this typical when you're like, hey, let's head to 387 00:19:41,033 --> 00:19:43,167 the bottom of the homestead? You hop in the four-wheeler? 388 00:19:43,334 --> 00:19:45,267 - Or the side-by-side? - Yeah. 389 00:19:45,434 --> 00:19:47,267 - It's never on foot. - It's never on foot. 390 00:19:47,434 --> 00:19:48,867 Yeah. 391 00:19:48,868 --> 00:19:50,767 You have to drive all the way to the bottom portion 392 00:19:50,934 --> 00:19:54,634 of the property, hit the county road, come all the way down. 393 00:19:57,100 --> 00:20:02,701 This is farther than I think I could've ever imagined. 394 00:20:02,868 --> 00:20:05,501 I don't think I really understood 395 00:20:05,667 --> 00:20:06,968 what this was gonna look like. 396 00:20:08,067 --> 00:20:09,100 Yeah. 397 00:20:10,167 --> 00:20:14,167 Oh, my dad. Hee-yoo. 398 00:20:14,334 --> 00:20:17,868 I cannot believe how big this mountain is. 399 00:20:18,033 --> 00:20:20,167 Where are you guys headed, by the way? 400 00:20:20,334 --> 00:20:23,367 We're trying to look for a future garden, 401 00:20:23,534 --> 00:20:25,200 orchard, greenhouse zone. 402 00:20:25,367 --> 00:20:28,100 Is it just me, or is there water running right here? 403 00:20:28,267 --> 00:20:29,466 There is water running right here. 404 00:20:29,467 --> 00:20:31,100 We're gonna nose around to see where it's coming from. 405 00:20:31,267 --> 00:20:33,000 Does that run year-round? 406 00:20:33,167 --> 00:20:35,501 Even through the drought, it was wet here. 407 00:20:35,667 --> 00:20:37,701 I might nose around here with an excavator. 408 00:20:37,868 --> 00:20:38,868 - Is that OK? - Absolutely. 409 00:20:39,033 --> 00:20:40,100 - You sure? - Yeah. 410 00:20:40,267 --> 00:20:44,100 All right-- it's steeper than your cow's face, 411 00:20:45,701 --> 00:20:48,868 so I have to get on the mountain. 412 00:20:49,033 --> 00:20:51,767 I might come over here where it's a little more accessible 413 00:20:51,934 --> 00:20:53,667 and work my way over here. Is that OK? 414 00:20:53,834 --> 00:20:56,000 - Yeah. - OK, we're on the move. 415 00:20:56,167 --> 00:20:57,000 Bye. 416 00:21:04,801 --> 00:21:07,567 There's water in this ditch. Where's it coming from? 417 00:21:09,000 --> 00:21:12,767 I don't care what state I'm in. I believe in ferns. 418 00:21:14,167 --> 00:21:15,367 Because look at this. 419 00:21:16,300 --> 00:21:17,367 Right here, look at this. 420 00:21:19,367 --> 00:21:20,667 These guys need lots of water. 421 00:21:21,767 --> 00:21:23,868 And they also need it year-round. 422 00:21:24,033 --> 00:21:25,167 There's water here. 423 00:21:27,567 --> 00:21:29,167 The problem is it's so steep. 424 00:21:30,367 --> 00:21:31,868 So steep. 425 00:21:32,033 --> 00:21:35,000 I see some ferns, and I see some black dirt. 426 00:21:35,167 --> 00:21:36,901 In fact, I see muck. 427 00:21:37,067 --> 00:21:39,300 Fairly confident there's water here. 428 00:21:39,467 --> 00:21:41,167 I'll go get my excavator, come back, 429 00:21:41,334 --> 00:21:44,400 and I'll dig down, and hopefully strike water. 430 00:22:03,968 --> 00:22:06,868 I just merely walked the excavator down there 431 00:22:07,033 --> 00:22:09,400 and tried to get from the main road up onto the side 432 00:22:09,567 --> 00:22:11,667 of the mountain, and the entire mountain 433 00:22:11,834 --> 00:22:13,167 was nothing but sludge. 434 00:22:14,667 --> 00:22:15,767 Uh-oh. 435 00:22:15,934 --> 00:22:19,000 Where a spring, not very productive, 436 00:22:19,167 --> 00:22:23,234 but water has been seeping since the beginning of time. 437 00:22:25,701 --> 00:22:26,667 I'm sliding. 438 00:22:34,767 --> 00:22:35,767 We've got a problem. 439 00:22:39,601 --> 00:22:42,067 All right, so I got myself a problem here. 440 00:22:42,234 --> 00:22:44,267 I got-- I got an excavator that's stuck. 441 00:22:46,467 --> 00:22:49,300 So you can clearly see that we've got a problem. 442 00:22:51,267 --> 00:22:54,167 And the problem is we have too much water in the ground, 443 00:22:54,334 --> 00:22:55,467 in the soil-- look at this. 444 00:22:58,033 --> 00:22:59,033 That's the good news. 445 00:22:59,200 --> 00:23:02,200 The bad news is, I've got a stuck excavator. 446 00:23:02,367 --> 00:23:03,367 That's pretty steep. 447 00:23:04,667 --> 00:23:06,100 I don't wanna tip it over. 448 00:23:06,267 --> 00:23:08,501 This is when you make the wrong decision, 449 00:23:08,667 --> 00:23:11,300 and a bad situation gets worse. 450 00:23:17,767 --> 00:23:20,167 - This is the bottom? - This is the bottom. 451 00:23:20,334 --> 00:23:23,100 Oh, my gosh, Stephanie. 452 00:23:23,267 --> 00:23:25,968 There's flat ground, and there's water. 453 00:23:27,567 --> 00:23:28,968 The stream is here. 454 00:23:29,133 --> 00:23:31,300 During the summer, during the drought, 455 00:23:31,467 --> 00:23:34,667 this ran completely dry. 456 00:23:34,834 --> 00:23:37,267 If this runs down the mountainside, 457 00:23:37,434 --> 00:23:39,567 where is the head of this? Is this a spring? 458 00:23:39,734 --> 00:23:41,267 I don't know. 459 00:23:41,434 --> 00:23:43,601 That's a significant amount of water. 460 00:23:43,767 --> 00:23:45,000 We're all on a search to find water. 461 00:23:45,167 --> 00:23:48,300 My dad's in the excavator. Me and Stephanie are on foot. 462 00:23:48,467 --> 00:23:50,367 There's potential, and I'm seeing it 463 00:23:50,534 --> 00:23:52,701 with my own eyes, which is super exciting. 464 00:23:52,868 --> 00:23:55,667 It's just gonna take a little more investigating. 465 00:23:55,834 --> 00:23:58,067 Oh, there's water everywhere. 466 00:23:58,234 --> 00:23:59,567 Where is this water coming from? 467 00:23:59,734 --> 00:24:02,467 I think this is coming from the cave 468 00:24:02,634 --> 00:24:06,067 that we've got over here. - What? 469 00:24:06,234 --> 00:24:08,501 - So there's water in this cave? - In that cave. 470 00:24:08,667 --> 00:24:09,900 - In the back. - In the back. 471 00:24:09,901 --> 00:24:13,100 - Like a pool, like a pond. - Mm-hmm, like a holding area. 472 00:24:13,267 --> 00:24:14,868 Like a holding tank. 473 00:24:15,033 --> 00:24:16,501 I don't know how big it is, though. 474 00:24:18,100 --> 00:24:19,901 Look at the moisture on the rocks. 475 00:24:20,067 --> 00:24:22,868 - Yeah, there's water in there. - You have water here. 476 00:24:23,033 --> 00:24:26,267 There's springs, there's like this water cave lake. 477 00:24:26,434 --> 00:24:30,267 Well, this is huge, and it's not at the top, right? 478 00:24:30,434 --> 00:24:31,501 It's not at the top. 479 00:24:31,667 --> 00:24:33,601 I feel like the future of your homestead 480 00:24:33,767 --> 00:24:35,300 is at the bottom of the mountain. 481 00:24:35,467 --> 00:24:37,567 I hate to be the one that breaks it to you. 482 00:24:37,734 --> 00:24:39,000 - Let's get out of here. - OK. 483 00:24:39,167 --> 00:24:41,400 And let's figure out what the plan's gonna be. 484 00:24:41,567 --> 00:24:43,601 The fact that there's water on this homestead, 485 00:24:43,767 --> 00:24:45,167 that is amazing. 486 00:24:45,334 --> 00:24:48,267 But the fact that these homesteaders chose to move 487 00:24:48,434 --> 00:24:53,300 as far as possible away from the water source, 488 00:24:53,467 --> 00:24:55,467 they've created their own worst nightmare. 489 00:24:56,467 --> 00:24:58,100 There has to be compromise. 490 00:24:58,267 --> 00:25:00,868 There is a push and pull, but at the end of the day, 491 00:25:01,033 --> 00:25:03,467 it's never gonna be perfectly what you want. 492 00:25:04,968 --> 00:25:07,167 Marty, Marty, copy, copy. 493 00:25:11,501 --> 00:25:14,501 So I have water over here. 494 00:25:14,667 --> 00:25:17,701 At least one spring for sure, if not two. 495 00:25:28,667 --> 00:25:32,868 - Excavator stuck. - Yeah, so that's not good. 496 00:25:33,033 --> 00:25:35,200 Do you need me to come in the skid steer? 497 00:25:36,634 --> 00:25:38,300 Uh, OK, we'll talk soon. 498 00:25:38,467 --> 00:25:39,400 OK. 499 00:25:39,567 --> 00:25:42,200 Not good. Dad! 500 00:25:43,501 --> 00:25:44,501 Let's talk. 501 00:25:44,667 --> 00:25:47,067 We need you to get out of your comfort zone 502 00:25:47,234 --> 00:25:48,400 and make a decision. 503 00:25:48,567 --> 00:25:50,801 I don't know if I agree with this decision, 504 00:25:50,968 --> 00:25:53,300 I just don't see how this is doable. 505 00:25:53,467 --> 00:25:56,100 So after looking at this whole operation, 506 00:25:56,267 --> 00:25:57,567 we're gonna abort the whole thing. 507 00:26:01,901 --> 00:26:03,901 2 508 00:26:05,868 --> 00:26:08,701 Watch out! Got a truck going through it. 509 00:26:08,868 --> 00:26:10,968 Big truck's going on this side. 510 00:26:11,133 --> 00:26:14,167 I was fairly confident that I would strike water. 511 00:26:14,334 --> 00:26:15,868 We started to scratch our way into that 512 00:26:16,033 --> 00:26:17,501 to look for that spring, 513 00:26:18,567 --> 00:26:20,667 but it's not quite enough water. 514 00:26:20,834 --> 00:26:23,100 But it is enough water to seep out of the ground 515 00:26:23,267 --> 00:26:25,601 and make a soup bowl of muck. 516 00:26:26,667 --> 00:26:28,567 - Marty Raney, what's your name? - Tyler McClellan. 517 00:26:28,734 --> 00:26:30,400 - Tyler, that's Misty. That's Matt. - Hey. 518 00:26:30,567 --> 00:26:32,200 This is turning out to be 519 00:26:32,367 --> 00:26:36,767 the worst first day on any homestead. 520 00:26:36,934 --> 00:26:38,067 We can't pull ourselves forward. 521 00:26:38,234 --> 00:26:39,968 - Not enough power to track and pull forward. - OK. 522 00:26:40,133 --> 00:26:41,767 - We're kinda suctioned in. - Yeah. 523 00:26:41,934 --> 00:26:43,801 Probably use both trucks, and then we'll hook 524 00:26:43,968 --> 00:26:45,400 both cables into that tree right there. 525 00:26:45,567 --> 00:26:46,868 So you wanna hang a block on it? 526 00:26:47,033 --> 00:26:47,868 - Yeah, yeah. - Get a purchase? 527 00:26:48,033 --> 00:26:49,501 - OK. - Yeah. 528 00:26:49,667 --> 00:26:51,367 Here he comes. Look out, everybody. 529 00:26:51,534 --> 00:26:52,767 He's coming all the way through. 530 00:26:52,934 --> 00:26:54,200 Watch out, watch out, watch out. 531 00:26:56,100 --> 00:26:57,200 Clint, get a hold of this thing. 532 00:27:00,801 --> 00:27:02,567 We're probably gonna have more pulling power 533 00:27:02,734 --> 00:27:03,868 than we need. 534 00:27:04,033 --> 00:27:06,367 And the big question now is, is that tree gonna hold? 535 00:27:10,000 --> 00:27:14,000 We're anchoring the truck itself to a tree down below. 536 00:27:16,267 --> 00:27:19,701 So now we have two anchors, which are trees, 537 00:27:19,868 --> 00:27:23,601 a lot of rigging, two different trucks, full steam ahead. 538 00:27:27,767 --> 00:27:29,767 - Are we ready to pull? - Let's try it. 539 00:27:29,934 --> 00:27:31,267 - Amen. - I think you'll be all right. 540 00:27:31,434 --> 00:27:34,000 Amen. We're going for it. 541 00:27:34,167 --> 00:27:35,367 Who's watching that tree? 542 00:27:36,501 --> 00:27:39,200 If it starts to move, we're gonna abort. 543 00:27:39,367 --> 00:27:41,067 All right, guys, he's goin' start winching. 544 00:27:49,367 --> 00:27:50,767 All right, here goes nothin'. 545 00:27:54,167 --> 00:27:56,367 All right, this side turn. 546 00:27:56,534 --> 00:27:58,200 There you go. Try to keep both of them goin'. 547 00:28:02,100 --> 00:28:03,267 There he goes. He's moving. 548 00:28:03,434 --> 00:28:06,067 - He's moving. - He moved like one inch. 549 00:28:06,234 --> 00:28:07,167 How's the tree look? 550 00:28:10,667 --> 00:28:13,400 Tree's moving. Tree! 551 00:28:13,567 --> 00:28:15,000 - Whoo, stop. - Tree! 552 00:28:15,167 --> 00:28:17,100 Stop! Stop! 553 00:28:17,267 --> 00:28:18,400 Whoo! Run! 554 00:28:18,567 --> 00:28:20,367 Tree! 555 00:28:25,000 --> 00:28:26,100 I don't know what broke. 556 00:28:29,300 --> 00:28:31,000 What broke? 557 00:28:31,167 --> 00:28:32,567 The chain broke down there, 558 00:28:32,734 --> 00:28:36,000 and a piece of the chain flew up there. 559 00:28:36,167 --> 00:28:39,501 New plan, plan B, plan A was a bust. 560 00:28:40,667 --> 00:28:41,667 Well, I don't know. 561 00:28:41,834 --> 00:28:43,167 We ain't got a whole lot of options here. 562 00:28:43,334 --> 00:28:45,467 That's the biggest tree we got there. 563 00:28:45,634 --> 00:28:50,100 Is there a world in which we can try to pull it that way? 564 00:28:50,267 --> 00:28:51,533 What do you think? 565 00:28:51,534 --> 00:28:53,601 Is it something we wanna try to pull sideways, or anything? 566 00:28:53,767 --> 00:28:55,767 Hook onto the blade, see if we can spin it. 567 00:28:55,934 --> 00:28:56,901 - We can try that. - OK. 568 00:28:58,167 --> 00:29:00,100 We're cutting it loose! 569 00:29:01,367 --> 00:29:03,567 Bring it back! Bring it back! 570 00:29:03,734 --> 00:29:06,167 Yeah, that's a heavy chain. It got thrown 50 feet. 571 00:29:07,467 --> 00:29:10,100 We rely heavily on excavators to get our work done on 572 00:29:10,267 --> 00:29:12,000 the homesteads we rescue. 573 00:29:12,167 --> 00:29:14,067 Right now, it doesn't look good, 574 00:29:14,234 --> 00:29:17,000 and there is a ton of work to do. 575 00:29:17,167 --> 00:29:21,501 We are losing lots of time that we don't have a lot of. 576 00:29:21,667 --> 00:29:23,868 Hey-- -- you guys, look out! 577 00:29:27,767 --> 00:29:29,167 All right, just hold it right there, 578 00:29:29,334 --> 00:29:32,767 and I'll just pull that around. - It's moving. 579 00:29:34,300 --> 00:29:36,467 Whoa, it's moving. 580 00:29:38,400 --> 00:29:39,634 Yoo-hoo! 581 00:29:42,100 --> 00:29:43,767 All right, now try to lift up a little bit. 582 00:29:51,667 --> 00:29:52,767 Hold up! Hup! 583 00:29:54,300 --> 00:29:55,868 Not looking good, not looking good. 584 00:29:58,000 --> 00:29:59,434 I can't believe that don't pick it up. 585 00:30:00,400 --> 00:30:03,567 We're probably gonna abort, but let's try one last pull. 586 00:30:04,767 --> 00:30:07,367 Well, I'm gonna have to hook on that upper side 587 00:30:07,534 --> 00:30:09,200 to bring it on around. 588 00:30:09,367 --> 00:30:11,367 Everything is going wrong. 589 00:30:11,534 --> 00:30:13,467 And we're running out of daylight. 590 00:30:16,701 --> 00:30:17,868 All right. 591 00:30:19,667 --> 00:30:20,767 Watch out, please. 592 00:30:22,467 --> 00:30:23,567 All right, try to tram it. 593 00:30:25,000 --> 00:30:27,100 There you go. Keep it moving. 594 00:30:41,200 --> 00:30:42,601 He's moving. 595 00:30:45,100 --> 00:30:46,367 That's a lot of movement. 596 00:30:54,100 --> 00:30:55,100 Coming out! 597 00:30:56,601 --> 00:30:57,601 It's driving! 598 00:30:59,167 --> 00:31:00,701 That's awesome. 599 00:31:00,868 --> 00:31:02,367 Yoo! 600 00:31:04,267 --> 00:31:05,901 You're out. 601 00:31:06,067 --> 00:31:10,267 Yoo! Whoo, whoo, whoo! 602 00:31:14,300 --> 00:31:17,767 On a scale of one to ten, that was, like, a 45. 603 00:31:17,934 --> 00:31:19,367 Uh, the fact that nobody's injured 604 00:31:19,534 --> 00:31:21,567 and we're all still alive is a win. 605 00:31:21,734 --> 00:31:24,167 Thanks, everyone. Appreciate it. 606 00:31:33,467 --> 00:31:35,067 - Hi. - Hi. 607 00:31:35,234 --> 00:31:38,200 After a rough start to the Simoes' rescue, 608 00:31:38,367 --> 00:31:41,167 Stephanie and Paul introduce Marty and Misty 609 00:31:41,334 --> 00:31:43,868 to the youngest members of the homestead. 610 00:31:44,033 --> 00:31:46,667 Misty, Marty, I wanted you to meet the kids. 611 00:31:46,834 --> 00:31:48,567 - Is this everybody? - This is everybody. 612 00:31:48,734 --> 00:31:50,367 - This is the fam? - Say hi. 613 00:31:50,534 --> 00:31:52,667 - Hi. - Austin. 614 00:31:52,834 --> 00:31:53,967 Oh, is this the everybody? 615 00:31:53,968 --> 00:31:55,267 - Jaslynne. - Jaslynne, nice to meet you. 616 00:31:55,434 --> 00:31:56,300 That's such a good name. 617 00:31:56,467 --> 00:31:57,400 - Ryder. - Ryder? 618 00:31:57,567 --> 00:31:58,801 - Yeah. - Amazing name. 619 00:31:58,968 --> 00:32:00,167 Tristen. 620 00:32:00,334 --> 00:32:02,300 Now, I wanna tell you kids something. 621 00:32:02,467 --> 00:32:05,667 Your dad, from the day I met him, when I asked, 622 00:32:05,834 --> 00:32:10,400 "Who did all the work up here?" He never once said, "I did." 623 00:32:10,567 --> 00:32:13,167 But he said, "Well, we did it with the kids." 624 00:32:15,567 --> 00:32:17,367 That meant a lot to me because obviously, 625 00:32:17,534 --> 00:32:19,367 you guys are helping your parents out. 626 00:32:19,534 --> 00:32:20,567 I mean, you like this lifestyle? 627 00:32:20,734 --> 00:32:22,300 Would you rather live in the city? 628 00:32:22,467 --> 00:32:24,300 Rather live here. 629 00:32:24,467 --> 00:32:27,167 Growing up in Portugal, I still remember hearing a bell 630 00:32:27,334 --> 00:32:30,400 outside and it would be a cow pulling a wagon to get milk, 631 00:32:30,567 --> 00:32:32,200 eggs, bread. 632 00:32:32,367 --> 00:32:36,000 I've always wanted my kids to learn this lifestyle, 633 00:32:36,167 --> 00:32:39,300 and I like how they're learning how to do just basically about everything, 634 00:32:39,467 --> 00:32:42,501 take care of animals, running machines. 635 00:32:42,667 --> 00:32:43,868 It's amazing, and I love it. 636 00:32:45,000 --> 00:32:46,868 Such a pleasure to meet you guys all. 637 00:32:47,033 --> 00:32:49,100 It seems like you guys do a lot of chores here. 638 00:32:49,267 --> 00:32:51,667 We had four kids, so I get it. 639 00:32:51,834 --> 00:32:56,667 I'm getting a flashback of when Misty was young and Matt was 640 00:32:56,834 --> 00:33:00,167 young, and how they were pretty happy kids too. 641 00:33:02,267 --> 00:33:04,067 When I look at this family of seven, 642 00:33:04,234 --> 00:33:06,100 I'm reminded of little stories 643 00:33:06,267 --> 00:33:09,367 of how our family has had good times 644 00:33:09,534 --> 00:33:14,167 and hard times, and that this dream isn't just for me. 645 00:33:14,334 --> 00:33:16,968 It's posterity. It's for my kids. 646 00:33:17,133 --> 00:33:19,400 It's for my grandkids. 647 00:33:19,567 --> 00:33:22,567 Thank you for making this introduction, and guess what? 648 00:33:22,734 --> 00:33:25,501 I'm sure we can find some chores to do together. 649 00:33:25,667 --> 00:33:27,000 - Let's go. - OK, let's go. 650 00:33:27,167 --> 00:33:29,367 Lovely, lovely, lovely, lovely family. 651 00:33:29,534 --> 00:33:30,400 Now it's a party. 652 00:33:35,267 --> 00:33:36,467 Come on in here. 653 00:33:37,367 --> 00:33:40,367 Yesterday, I was fairly confident that I would strike 654 00:33:40,534 --> 00:33:42,167 water, find a spring. 655 00:33:42,334 --> 00:33:45,267 But it's not quite enough water, and now we've gotta 656 00:33:45,434 --> 00:33:46,667 come up with another plan. 657 00:33:46,834 --> 00:33:48,299 How you doing? Paul. 658 00:33:48,300 --> 00:33:51,067 So, when I was looking at this building on the homestead, 659 00:33:51,234 --> 00:33:55,267 their future home, I looked at the size of that roof 660 00:33:55,434 --> 00:34:01,100 and realized there was no gutters, and it had immense 661 00:34:01,267 --> 00:34:02,701 potential to collect water. 662 00:34:07,467 --> 00:34:11,868 So right now, there's a huge storm predicted for this part 663 00:34:12,033 --> 00:34:13,167 of West Virginia. 664 00:34:13,334 --> 00:34:17,267 If it rains, it's possible that we could catch 665 00:34:17,434 --> 00:34:22,167 over 2,000 gallons of water in the next 48 hours. 666 00:34:22,334 --> 00:34:24,100 Stay tuned. 667 00:34:29,767 --> 00:34:31,467 At the base of the mountain... 668 00:34:31,634 --> 00:34:33,100 - Hey. - Hi. 669 00:34:33,267 --> 00:34:35,868 ...Misty clears out a shipping container for use as 670 00:34:36,033 --> 00:34:37,868 a possible greenhouse 671 00:34:38,033 --> 00:34:40,601 while waiting for an answer on the garden's location. 672 00:34:41,601 --> 00:34:43,300 How'd the conversation go? 673 00:34:43,467 --> 00:34:44,467 Oh . 674 00:34:44,634 --> 00:34:49,100 So Paul's initial reaction is... 675 00:34:49,267 --> 00:34:53,000 "It's a long way away to kind of keep eyes on it." 676 00:34:53,167 --> 00:34:55,367 OK, so you want the garden on top of the mountain? 677 00:34:57,400 --> 00:34:58,868 Somewhere. 678 00:34:59,033 --> 00:35:00,067 But is there water there? 679 00:35:01,467 --> 00:35:03,601 There's water from our tank there 680 00:35:03,767 --> 00:35:05,567 that we're currently hauling, so. 681 00:35:06,868 --> 00:35:08,667 I don't know. 682 00:35:08,834 --> 00:35:10,701 Yeah, yeah, that's where we're at right now. 683 00:35:11,767 --> 00:35:13,701 I don't know if I agree with this decision, 684 00:35:15,000 --> 00:35:17,200 but ultimately, this is your homestead, and it is up 685 00:35:17,367 --> 00:35:19,367 to you and Paul, and I will respect that. 686 00:35:19,534 --> 00:35:23,167 I just, in this moment, don't see how this is doable. 687 00:35:34,000 --> 00:35:37,033 2 688 00:35:39,501 --> 00:35:41,567 So you want the garden on top of the mountain? 689 00:35:41,734 --> 00:35:43,032 Somewhere. 690 00:35:43,033 --> 00:35:46,367 Stephanie wants to move the greenhouse, the gardens 691 00:35:46,534 --> 00:35:47,834 to the top. 692 00:35:48,000 --> 00:35:51,567 It will be really hard to give these homesteaders a fighting 693 00:35:51,734 --> 00:35:53,567 chance when it comes to growing food. 694 00:35:53,734 --> 00:35:56,968 But after meeting all the kids, I realized the importance 695 00:35:57,133 --> 00:35:59,767 of this lifestyle, feeding them a certain diet, 696 00:35:59,934 --> 00:36:01,567 living a certain way. 697 00:36:01,734 --> 00:36:05,901 This is the point of this whole homesteading dream. 698 00:36:06,067 --> 00:36:09,501 So I'm gonna try and work as hard as possible 699 00:36:09,667 --> 00:36:12,467 for this family because, you know, they need it. 700 00:36:12,634 --> 00:36:15,067 I love the fact that there's grass growing. 701 00:36:15,234 --> 00:36:17,200 This hasn't been stripped. 702 00:36:17,367 --> 00:36:20,467 And then the proximity to the house, you have the sun, 703 00:36:20,634 --> 00:36:23,601 you have the soil, but that question mark of water 704 00:36:23,767 --> 00:36:26,000 is still very concerning. - Yeah. 705 00:36:26,167 --> 00:36:29,000 But I think we're at a full commit, and here we go. 706 00:36:29,167 --> 00:36:30,200 OK. 707 00:36:30,367 --> 00:36:32,067 We're at the tippy top of the mountain. 708 00:36:32,234 --> 00:36:34,167 It's super windy, and there's still no water, 709 00:36:34,334 --> 00:36:36,400 which means there's not a guaranteed garden. 710 00:36:36,567 --> 00:36:38,400 I'm gonna have the shipping container 711 00:36:38,567 --> 00:36:39,767 cleared out down below... 712 00:36:39,934 --> 00:36:42,567 - Empty shipping container! - Ohh. 713 00:36:42,734 --> 00:36:45,868 ...because that's the only structure that's wind resistant 714 00:36:46,033 --> 00:36:47,200 on this homestead. 715 00:36:47,367 --> 00:36:49,000 So I wanna do something I've never done before 716 00:36:49,167 --> 00:36:51,167 that is gonna be very difficult. 717 00:36:51,334 --> 00:36:53,701 I wanna turn this shipping container into a greenhouse. 718 00:36:55,100 --> 00:36:56,567 Whoa. 719 00:36:56,734 --> 00:36:58,267 - They heat up when they need to heat up. - They do. 720 00:36:58,434 --> 00:37:00,167 They cool down when they need to cool down. 721 00:37:00,334 --> 00:37:02,767 I think it's gonna be amazing, but it's not gonna 722 00:37:02,934 --> 00:37:04,601 be easy. - I think that's so cool. 723 00:37:06,601 --> 00:37:09,100 To build a gust-proof greenhouse, 724 00:37:09,267 --> 00:37:12,000 Misty and Stephanie will first cut several holes 725 00:37:12,167 --> 00:37:15,267 in the shipping container while maintaining the structural 726 00:37:15,434 --> 00:37:17,601 support needed for it to survive a trip 727 00:37:17,767 --> 00:37:19,868 up the mountainside. 728 00:37:20,033 --> 00:37:22,968 Then, after moving the container to its final 729 00:37:23,133 --> 00:37:26,868 resting place, they will paint the structure black to maximize 730 00:37:27,033 --> 00:37:31,167 heat collection in the winter and install sliding windows 731 00:37:31,334 --> 00:37:33,467 to allow for heat dissipation in the summer. 732 00:37:34,567 --> 00:37:38,000 Finally, they will build several raised garden beds 733 00:37:38,167 --> 00:37:42,167 filled with nutrient-rich top soil to house plants started 734 00:37:42,334 --> 00:37:43,200 in the greenhouse. 735 00:37:49,100 --> 00:37:51,701 The idea of taking a ready-made structure with 736 00:37:51,868 --> 00:37:54,968 the shipping container and just transforming it into 737 00:37:55,133 --> 00:37:57,968 a greenhouse is a must, because at this point, 738 00:37:58,133 --> 00:38:01,300 we've lost so much time, and I need a head start when it 739 00:38:01,467 --> 00:38:02,567 comes to a structure. 740 00:38:04,767 --> 00:38:05,901 Yoo! 741 00:38:08,367 --> 00:38:09,567 - Hey, guys. - Hi. 742 00:38:09,734 --> 00:38:11,032 How you guys doing? 743 00:38:11,033 --> 00:38:14,267 Later that day, Marty gathers everyone at the bottom of 744 00:38:14,434 --> 00:38:17,100 the homestead to reveal his plan to make up 745 00:38:17,267 --> 00:38:18,667 for lost time. 746 00:38:18,834 --> 00:38:21,601 I thought that I was gonna climb up that bank and hit-- 747 00:38:21,767 --> 00:38:22,701 strike water. 748 00:38:22,868 --> 00:38:24,567 We have to have another option. 749 00:38:25,667 --> 00:38:30,000 We now have rain catchment off of the roof, perfect for 750 00:38:30,167 --> 00:38:32,467 the animals, the gardens, etcetera, up there. 751 00:38:32,634 --> 00:38:38,100 But in a place that is prone to drought, we needed to develop 752 00:38:38,267 --> 00:38:42,601 a year-round drinking water system for the homesteaders. 753 00:38:42,767 --> 00:38:45,567 After seeing the struggle and the craziness, 754 00:38:45,734 --> 00:38:48,467 we just ramped up what we're gonna do for you. 755 00:38:52,067 --> 00:38:53,567 - Oh, wow. - Oh, my gosh. 756 00:38:53,734 --> 00:38:55,968 - Water well drilling. - Oh, my gosh. 757 00:38:56,133 --> 00:38:58,567 - Oh, my gosh. - That is awesome. 758 00:38:58,734 --> 00:39:01,567 So first Timothy, and that's second Timothy. 759 00:39:01,734 --> 00:39:02,700 Oh, my gosh. Thank you. 760 00:39:02,701 --> 00:39:04,367 These are your new best friends. 761 00:39:04,534 --> 00:39:06,801 And I know in Alaska on mountaintops, you can go 762 00:39:06,968 --> 00:39:09,467 900 feet down and be dry. 763 00:39:09,634 --> 00:39:11,367 What's gonna happen here, do you think? 764 00:39:11,534 --> 00:39:12,968 I would say right here we're probably looking around 765 00:39:13,133 --> 00:39:14,200 75 to 100 feet. 766 00:39:14,367 --> 00:39:15,267 Because we're down in this valley? 767 00:39:15,434 --> 00:39:16,300 - Down in the valley. - OK. 768 00:39:16,467 --> 00:39:17,868 If we were on top of the ridge, 769 00:39:18,033 --> 00:39:19,667 you're probably looking 500 or 600 feet. 770 00:39:19,834 --> 00:39:23,868 So what's that gonna mean for you if we strike water? 771 00:39:24,033 --> 00:39:25,267 Oh my gosh. 772 00:39:27,467 --> 00:39:31,467 It's gonna change our entire homestead, our entire life. 773 00:39:31,634 --> 00:39:36,601 Having a well, we're getting clean water from a mountain. 774 00:39:36,767 --> 00:39:38,067 So this is gonna be the first time in 775 00:39:38,234 --> 00:39:39,767 this homestead, you're gonna have clean water, right? 776 00:39:39,934 --> 00:39:41,267 Maybe. 777 00:39:41,434 --> 00:39:42,767 - And it's not a guarantee. - Not a guarantee. 778 00:39:51,267 --> 00:39:53,067 Are you gonna hunt the coyotes? 779 00:39:53,234 --> 00:39:55,167 Are you gonna bark at the coyotes? 780 00:39:55,334 --> 00:39:58,367 On the other side of the homestead, by the sheep... 781 00:39:58,534 --> 00:40:00,200 Hey, I'm just petting the dogs. 782 00:40:00,367 --> 00:40:04,167 - You caught me petting the dogs. - This is Jaslynne, my daughter. 783 00:40:04,334 --> 00:40:05,868 - Nice to meet you. - Ryder. 784 00:40:06,033 --> 00:40:07,868 Ryder, good to meet you guys. 785 00:40:08,033 --> 00:40:10,968 And so you help out with chores, and building projects? 786 00:40:11,133 --> 00:40:12,701 - Yeah. - Are you hard workers? 787 00:40:12,868 --> 00:40:13,999 - Yes. - Yeah. 788 00:40:14,000 --> 00:40:15,968 That's music to my ears 'cause I need help. 789 00:40:16,133 --> 00:40:18,100 Come with me. We got a project to do. 790 00:40:18,267 --> 00:40:19,467 Let's get to work. 791 00:40:20,901 --> 00:40:24,667 This homestead has a coyote problem because right now, 792 00:40:24,834 --> 00:40:28,868 these sheep are out in the open 24-7 waiting to get picked off. 793 00:40:29,033 --> 00:40:31,300 When do you see these coyotes most often? 794 00:40:31,467 --> 00:40:33,367 - Nighttime. - Right? 795 00:40:33,534 --> 00:40:37,100 You live in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. 796 00:40:37,267 --> 00:40:39,467 You're not gonna stop every coyote. 797 00:40:39,634 --> 00:40:40,868 No. 798 00:40:41,033 --> 00:40:43,501 But we gotta make sure the livestock that are in 799 00:40:43,667 --> 00:40:48,000 the most danger have a place to go where a coyote 800 00:40:48,167 --> 00:40:49,467 cannot get them. 801 00:40:49,634 --> 00:40:52,567 We can use this existing wall that has already been built 802 00:40:52,734 --> 00:40:55,367 by your dad, put a roof over here, and make it a place where 803 00:40:55,534 --> 00:40:57,300 you can lock up all the sheep. 804 00:40:57,467 --> 00:40:58,868 I think that's where we should start first. 805 00:40:59,033 --> 00:41:00,467 What do you think about this plan? 806 00:41:00,634 --> 00:41:02,167 - I think it's a very good plan. - I like it. 807 00:41:04,100 --> 00:41:08,200 Matt's multi-pronged approach to coyote protection requires 808 00:41:08,367 --> 00:41:10,501 three separate phases. 809 00:41:10,667 --> 00:41:13,968 First, he will expand and reinforce the existing 810 00:41:14,133 --> 00:41:17,501 sheep pen, enclosing it to house the more valuable 811 00:41:17,667 --> 00:41:20,067 and vulnerable mid-sized livestock, 812 00:41:20,234 --> 00:41:21,767 such as the sheep and rams. 813 00:41:22,968 --> 00:41:26,467 Then, he will clear brush around the entire living space 814 00:41:26,634 --> 00:41:29,767 perimeter, extending sight lines and pushing back 815 00:41:29,934 --> 00:41:32,667 coyote camouflage, which will discourage 816 00:41:32,834 --> 00:41:34,601 predator encroachment. 817 00:41:34,767 --> 00:41:38,567 And finally, if he can convince the homesteaders, Matt will 818 00:41:38,734 --> 00:41:42,367 reduce the number of animals attracting coyotes by bringing 819 00:41:42,534 --> 00:41:44,868 several loads to the butcher for processing. 820 00:41:46,767 --> 00:41:50,767 Hold this tape measure here. I'm gonna go down long. 821 00:41:52,000 --> 00:41:55,968 I'm excited to help protect the animals from the coyotes 822 00:41:56,133 --> 00:41:59,067 and everything else that could potentially be a threat. 823 00:41:59,234 --> 00:42:02,467 OK, we're about 26 feet. OK, let it down. 824 00:42:02,634 --> 00:42:04,901 I think Matt's plan to make it safer for the sheep 825 00:42:05,067 --> 00:42:06,868 to go in at night is going to be a big help. 826 00:42:14,167 --> 00:42:15,400 Push! 827 00:42:15,567 --> 00:42:17,200 At the bottom of the homestead... 828 00:42:17,367 --> 00:42:20,701 I can't see one dang thing. 829 00:42:20,868 --> 00:42:23,901 ...Misty and Marty start hauling the shipping container 830 00:42:24,067 --> 00:42:25,601 greenhouse up the mountain. 831 00:42:27,100 --> 00:42:29,300 Whoa! This is wild. 832 00:42:31,767 --> 00:42:34,601 Misty came to me and said, "Hey, Dad, let's move 833 00:42:34,767 --> 00:42:39,000 "a 20-foot long, over 5,000-pound container 834 00:42:39,167 --> 00:42:42,467 "up a hill that steep with an excavator in the front 835 00:42:42,634 --> 00:42:44,167 and a skid steer behind." 836 00:42:50,267 --> 00:42:52,501 Wow, this is super rowdy. 837 00:42:53,601 --> 00:42:55,167 Dad, can you stop for a second? 838 00:43:02,834 --> 00:43:05,400 I don't wanna be stuck at the top at the worst part 839 00:43:05,567 --> 00:43:07,000 in the dark. 840 00:43:10,300 --> 00:43:12,634 But whatever you're doing is perfect. 841 00:43:15,100 --> 00:43:18,667 Oh, my God. I'm so stressed out right now. 842 00:43:28,567 --> 00:43:31,868 We've got a few more hills that are pretty steep to go up. 843 00:43:32,033 --> 00:43:35,067 We've only made it a fraction of the way so far. 844 00:43:38,167 --> 00:43:40,267 This is gonna get interesting. 845 00:43:50,000 --> 00:43:51,767 There's just no way. I'd be... 846 00:43:51,934 --> 00:43:53,100 I-- there's no way. 847 00:44:04,534 --> 00:44:05,701 OK, I'm spinning! 848 00:44:10,100 --> 00:44:11,100 What's happening? 849 00:44:13,934 --> 00:44:16,567 I did. Here we go. 850 00:44:18,901 --> 00:44:21,667 Oh, no. 851 00:44:26,167 --> 00:44:28,400 So what happened now, young lady, is we just threw 852 00:44:28,567 --> 00:44:30,000 the track on this. 853 00:44:30,167 --> 00:44:32,267 Uh, we're a long ways from the top, right? 854 00:44:32,434 --> 00:44:33,400 Oh, yeah. 855 00:44:33,567 --> 00:44:35,701 This isn't even the steepest of incline. 856 00:44:35,868 --> 00:44:38,167 - It gets a lot worse. - Steeper than this up there? 857 00:44:38,334 --> 00:44:39,567 - Oh, yeah. - OK. 858 00:44:41,000 --> 00:44:43,868 Now we're broke down. It's getting dark. 859 00:44:44,033 --> 00:44:46,868 We don't have the right wrench to get the Zerk fitting out 860 00:44:47,033 --> 00:44:49,400 to begin the process of getting the track back on. 861 00:44:50,968 --> 00:44:52,000 Let's talk. 862 00:44:53,601 --> 00:44:55,567 So after looking at this whole operation, 863 00:44:55,734 --> 00:44:57,868 I think we're gonna abort the whole thing. 864 00:44:58,033 --> 00:45:00,801 Let's count our blessings and let's cut our losses. 865 00:45:02,467 --> 00:45:05,868 I'm just like in shock. Two days gone. 866 00:45:06,033 --> 00:45:07,567 Don't remind me. 867 00:45:07,734 --> 00:45:10,901 Listen, it just shouts loud and clearly when you live 868 00:45:11,067 --> 00:45:12,167 on the top of a mountain, 869 00:45:13,167 --> 00:45:14,167 it's tough. 870 00:45:18,467 --> 00:45:20,100 2 871 00:45:37,734 --> 00:45:38,567 All right, 872 00:45:38,734 --> 00:45:40,767 good morning, good morning. 873 00:45:40,934 --> 00:45:43,100 After the first rain since installing 874 00:45:43,267 --> 00:45:44,767 the catchment system... 875 00:45:44,934 --> 00:45:46,601 Didn't really rain that much, did it? 876 00:45:46,767 --> 00:45:47,701 No. 877 00:45:47,868 --> 00:45:49,267 ...Marty and Paul check to see 878 00:45:49,434 --> 00:45:50,767 how much water they've collected. 879 00:45:54,100 --> 00:45:55,868 Yeah, that's a decent amount. 880 00:45:56,033 --> 00:45:57,000 That's probably a good-- 881 00:45:58,701 --> 00:46:00,200 Where's my mark? Where's the numbers? 882 00:46:01,300 --> 00:46:03,667 I'm guessing somewhere around 800 gallons. 883 00:46:03,834 --> 00:46:05,701 I think. 884 00:46:05,868 --> 00:46:08,267 With the amount of rain that we got last night, 885 00:46:08,434 --> 00:46:11,367 800 gallons of water is mind-blowing. 886 00:46:11,534 --> 00:46:14,000 All the animals and us, the usage, 887 00:46:14,167 --> 00:46:15,100 that probably takes care of about 888 00:46:15,267 --> 00:46:16,767 two to three days of water. 889 00:46:16,934 --> 00:46:18,968 Could you use two to three days without hauling water? 890 00:46:19,133 --> 00:46:21,167 - Oh, yeah, 100% - All right, get a little more rain 891 00:46:21,334 --> 00:46:25,767 and that's gonna read 2,100 gallons. 892 00:46:25,934 --> 00:46:29,367 For the first time in the one year they've been on 893 00:46:29,534 --> 00:46:33,267 this property, we might start solving the problem 894 00:46:33,434 --> 00:46:34,567 of a water shortage. 895 00:46:34,734 --> 00:46:36,100 We've got a few days left. 896 00:46:36,267 --> 00:46:38,968 We're coming close to checking the box on water, 897 00:46:39,133 --> 00:46:42,167 and now we have a new problem on this homestead. 898 00:46:42,334 --> 00:46:43,534 When you move in here, 899 00:46:44,901 --> 00:46:47,901 we have to figure out a way to get rid of this water. 900 00:46:48,067 --> 00:46:52,167 Gray water, right? And sewer water. 901 00:46:52,334 --> 00:46:53,267 We're running out of time. 902 00:46:58,200 --> 00:47:00,501 - How are you guys? - Good. 903 00:47:00,667 --> 00:47:01,734 What we're doing right now is, 904 00:47:01,901 --> 00:47:03,667 we're checking in with you guys, right? - Mm-hmm. 905 00:47:03,834 --> 00:47:07,367 - Halfway through our stay here, it has not been easy. - Mm-mm. 906 00:47:07,534 --> 00:47:09,667 With all the hiccups with the excavator, 907 00:47:09,834 --> 00:47:12,467 half the time went like that. 908 00:47:12,634 --> 00:47:15,400 At this moment, every single one of us is like, 909 00:47:15,567 --> 00:47:18,968 what's top priority? Or we're not gonna finish. 910 00:47:19,133 --> 00:47:20,100 - OK. - And I'm gonna leave 911 00:47:20,267 --> 00:47:22,067 you with nothing. - Yeah. 912 00:47:22,234 --> 00:47:23,868 I think the biggest problem is how you're raising 913 00:47:24,033 --> 00:47:28,267 your livestock, and your coyote problem would be way less 914 00:47:28,434 --> 00:47:31,367 if you weren't as free-for-all with your livestock. 915 00:47:31,534 --> 00:47:33,801 - Yeah. - I think that while we're here, 916 00:47:33,968 --> 00:47:35,868 we should get rid of some of the animals that need to go. 917 00:47:38,133 --> 00:47:39,067 I'll leave that up to you. 918 00:47:41,400 --> 00:47:43,467 If you're ready to do it and you want to, 919 00:47:43,634 --> 00:47:45,167 I think this is your man. 920 00:47:47,000 --> 00:47:48,367 OK. 921 00:47:48,534 --> 00:47:51,267 So we're gonna do that to help with the numbers. 922 00:47:51,434 --> 00:47:53,767 Then I'll feel like I've actually helped you guys 923 00:47:53,934 --> 00:47:55,367 with your coyote problem, OK? - Cool. 924 00:47:56,767 --> 00:47:58,667 All right, so. 925 00:47:58,834 --> 00:48:00,467 I think we've come to a point right now, 926 00:48:00,634 --> 00:48:03,868 now that we're collecting water, at your future home, 927 00:48:04,033 --> 00:48:06,701 which you say you're gonna move into soon. 928 00:48:06,868 --> 00:48:09,267 So now, how do you feel about 929 00:48:10,267 --> 00:48:12,767 taking that structure I'm looking at right there, 930 00:48:12,934 --> 00:48:15,601 dragging it over there, and introducing the plumbing 931 00:48:15,767 --> 00:48:17,601 into that on the backside? 932 00:48:17,767 --> 00:48:21,167 We could stub the plumbing in there, and that could be 933 00:48:21,334 --> 00:48:24,000 the bathroom for the family. It could be whatever you want. 934 00:48:24,167 --> 00:48:26,167 It seems like it almost fits with your plan. 935 00:48:27,868 --> 00:48:28,868 Ugh. 936 00:48:30,100 --> 00:48:31,667 I don't know, um. 937 00:48:35,601 --> 00:48:38,200 I'm OK with it. I think it'll be nice and easy. 938 00:48:42,467 --> 00:48:43,467 OK. 939 00:48:45,701 --> 00:48:46,767 I'll translate. 940 00:48:47,901 --> 00:48:50,167 No. 941 00:48:50,334 --> 00:48:51,467 Well, I'm not comfortable 942 00:48:52,567 --> 00:48:54,400 asking a homesteader 10 times a question, 943 00:48:54,567 --> 00:48:55,733 trying to get my answer. 944 00:48:55,734 --> 00:48:59,667 But I'm trying to fish for the big picture, the plan, 945 00:48:59,834 --> 00:49:02,100 all the stuff you've dreamed about written down on napkins. 946 00:49:02,267 --> 00:49:03,868 - Yeah. - And we have-- 947 00:49:04,033 --> 00:49:05,968 It's not that. 948 00:49:08,267 --> 00:49:10,767 There's a pattern on this homestead. 949 00:49:10,934 --> 00:49:14,000 The homesteaders talk us through a problem they've had. 950 00:49:14,167 --> 00:49:18,267 We say we're gonna start right now, and then they back away. 951 00:49:18,434 --> 00:49:19,566 What's it doing there right now? 952 00:49:19,567 --> 00:49:21,267 - Are people living in there? - It's-- it's storage. 953 00:49:21,434 --> 00:49:23,667 That's not a good enough excuse for me. 954 00:49:23,834 --> 00:49:28,000 I need them to understand that homesteading is about 955 00:49:28,167 --> 00:49:30,367 how to innovate, how to be resourceful, 956 00:49:30,534 --> 00:49:32,968 and based on what you said, you needed, 957 00:49:33,133 --> 00:49:37,901 here's how we can fix it to best benefit you. 958 00:49:38,067 --> 00:49:39,266 How about this? 959 00:49:39,267 --> 00:49:42,968 Talk about it and give me a-- please give me an answer 960 00:49:43,133 --> 00:49:44,100 in an hour. - OK. 961 00:49:44,267 --> 00:49:45,501 - Is that enough time? - Yeah. 962 00:49:45,667 --> 00:49:48,767 OK, we need you to get out of your comfort zone 963 00:49:48,934 --> 00:49:53,300 and make a decision other than one that is tunnel vision. 964 00:49:54,868 --> 00:49:56,701 - OK, talk to you in an hour. - Yeah, let's go. 965 00:49:56,868 --> 00:49:58,067 - All right, thank you both. - Thank you. 966 00:49:58,234 --> 00:49:59,100 Let's go. 967 00:50:00,567 --> 00:50:02,199 You're nuts. 968 00:50:02,200 --> 00:50:05,701 OK, talk me through what you think with this cabin. Like, what? 969 00:50:05,868 --> 00:50:07,601 - Just put it back there. - Just put it behind? 970 00:50:07,767 --> 00:50:09,467 I'll hook up the sewer and that's it. 971 00:50:09,634 --> 00:50:12,467 We have been waiting to get to this point for, 972 00:50:12,634 --> 00:50:15,167 at this point, 16 years. 973 00:50:15,334 --> 00:50:16,701 I just think... 974 00:50:16,868 --> 00:50:19,767 I don't know, it's really hard to share control, 975 00:50:19,934 --> 00:50:21,801 but it has to work. 976 00:50:26,400 --> 00:50:28,067 While awaiting a decision... 977 00:50:28,234 --> 00:50:30,267 OK, here we go. 978 00:50:30,434 --> 00:50:33,400 ...Matt and the twins frame the new sheep barn. 979 00:50:33,567 --> 00:50:35,000 All right, one more. 980 00:50:35,167 --> 00:50:37,467 I'm really impressed with Ryder and Jaslynne. 981 00:50:37,634 --> 00:50:39,968 Right now, they're helping me put on a roof 982 00:50:40,133 --> 00:50:41,467 to the new addition to the barn. 983 00:50:41,634 --> 00:50:42,467 Good job. 984 00:50:42,634 --> 00:50:44,801 But they're also doing chores 985 00:50:44,968 --> 00:50:46,567 to water the animals, 986 00:50:46,734 --> 00:50:48,701 feed the animals, check for chicken eggs. 987 00:50:48,868 --> 00:50:50,467 They got a lot on their plate. 988 00:50:50,634 --> 00:50:51,901 But we're gonna get the work done, 989 00:50:52,067 --> 00:50:53,300 and we're getting it done quick. 990 00:50:55,334 --> 00:50:57,000 Perfect. 991 00:50:57,167 --> 00:50:59,300 The animals are really important, so it really 992 00:50:59,467 --> 00:51:01,300 helps that Matt's helping us to keep them safe. 993 00:51:12,901 --> 00:51:14,567 How you doing? Look what I found down over 994 00:51:14,734 --> 00:51:15,868 the side of the bank. - Oh. 995 00:51:16,033 --> 00:51:17,200 Did the wind blow here last night? 996 00:51:17,367 --> 00:51:18,501 - Yes, it did. - Yes, it did. 997 00:51:18,667 --> 00:51:20,167 It did? All right, so. 998 00:51:21,167 --> 00:51:23,400 I am sorry to put you on the spot, truly, 999 00:51:23,567 --> 00:51:27,000 but just trying to figure out how we're going to help you 1000 00:51:27,167 --> 00:51:30,000 not only put in a septic, but actually, be able to use it. 1001 00:51:30,167 --> 00:51:32,167 The Raneys coming in to help us, 1002 00:51:32,334 --> 00:51:35,868 it's definitely something that is out of our comfort zone, 1003 00:51:36,033 --> 00:51:38,367 but we are making progress. 1004 00:51:38,534 --> 00:51:41,501 Let's just say we never met, which is probably something 1005 00:51:41,667 --> 00:51:42,934 you're wishing. 1006 00:51:44,400 --> 00:51:48,667 You tell me the plan for going to the bathroom over there. 1007 00:51:48,834 --> 00:51:50,901 We would've just dragged the camper over there 1008 00:51:51,067 --> 00:51:52,767 to use the camper as the bathroom. 1009 00:51:52,934 --> 00:51:54,300 You wanna drag the camper over instead? 1010 00:51:54,467 --> 00:51:56,767 - No, I think that the cabin is a better idea. - Why? 1011 00:51:56,934 --> 00:51:58,467 - Yes. - Yeah. 1012 00:51:59,901 --> 00:52:03,901 Stephanie is realizing that things happen fast out here, 1013 00:52:04,067 --> 00:52:08,067 constantly making adjustments, decisions, and it's not about 1014 00:52:08,234 --> 00:52:09,701 controlling everything. 1015 00:52:09,868 --> 00:52:13,467 It's about working with the homestead for survival. 1016 00:52:13,634 --> 00:52:15,601 And sometimes you gotta let go. 1017 00:52:17,868 --> 00:52:19,467 So here's the plan. Correct me if I'm wrong. 1018 00:52:19,634 --> 00:52:21,567 We're gonna move that building, I'm looking at right 1019 00:52:21,734 --> 00:52:22,800 there with the red roof. 1020 00:52:22,801 --> 00:52:24,901 And then we'll introduce a sewer pipe into it. 1021 00:52:25,067 --> 00:52:28,868 And you'll have a flushing toilet before we leave. 1022 00:52:29,033 --> 00:52:30,033 Yes. 1023 00:52:31,701 --> 00:52:34,901 OK, guys. The well driller had news. 1024 00:52:35,067 --> 00:52:36,267 I said, is it good or bad? 1025 00:52:36,434 --> 00:52:37,567 He goes, he's not gonna tell me. 1026 00:52:37,734 --> 00:52:38,901 Oh, no. 1027 00:52:43,767 --> 00:52:46,300 2 1028 00:52:46,467 --> 00:52:48,868 Family! 1029 00:52:49,033 --> 00:52:50,868 At the top of the homestead, 1030 00:52:51,033 --> 00:52:53,367 Marty delivers on Misty's promise. 1031 00:52:54,567 --> 00:52:55,567 What's happening? 1032 00:52:56,767 --> 00:52:59,467 - Oh, get out. - Oh, the shipping container. 1033 00:52:59,634 --> 00:53:02,267 The same guy that got the excavator out, 1034 00:53:02,434 --> 00:53:03,467 we called him back. 1035 00:53:03,634 --> 00:53:04,868 He's like, "Man, what's with you?" 1036 00:53:05,033 --> 00:53:07,567 He probably thinks I'm a complete loser, and I am. 1037 00:53:07,734 --> 00:53:09,367 Let's get it off the truck. 1038 00:53:09,534 --> 00:53:11,767 When it comes to moving buildings, 1039 00:53:11,934 --> 00:53:14,367 it seems like we've turned a page. 1040 00:53:14,534 --> 00:53:15,868 Misty! 1041 00:53:16,033 --> 00:53:19,601 The excavator is fixed and now we have successfully 1042 00:53:19,767 --> 00:53:21,968 delivered that same CONNEX from 1043 00:53:22,133 --> 00:53:26,968 point A to point B, and we can get back on track. 1044 00:53:27,133 --> 00:53:29,400 Yay! 1045 00:53:29,567 --> 00:53:31,200 I gotta take over, so I can get to work. 1046 00:53:33,667 --> 00:53:35,400 Come on, girl! 1047 00:53:35,567 --> 00:53:38,667 Having the greenhouse at the top of the property is 1048 00:53:38,834 --> 00:53:41,467 super helpful because we can keep eyes on it, 1049 00:53:41,634 --> 00:53:43,601 mainly, you know, for the deer and the wildlife 1050 00:53:43,767 --> 00:53:45,100 to stay out of it. 1051 00:53:46,300 --> 00:53:49,868 And growing our food, it just ensures us that we know exactly 1052 00:53:50,033 --> 00:53:52,701 what went into it, that it wasn't sprayed with anything, 1053 00:53:52,868 --> 00:53:54,868 and that's something really important to us. 1054 00:53:55,033 --> 00:53:58,100 And having the garden and the greenhouse close 1055 00:53:58,267 --> 00:54:00,901 to the house just makes sense. 1056 00:54:01,067 --> 00:54:06,400 - All right, what do you think? - It's up by the house! 1057 00:54:06,567 --> 00:54:08,801 - We did it! - We made it to the house! 1058 00:54:08,968 --> 00:54:10,501 Oh, my gosh. It's up here. 1059 00:54:10,667 --> 00:54:13,100 - It's close to the house. Let's get to work. - Yes. 1060 00:54:13,267 --> 00:54:16,100 This thing needs to be painted. We need to cut more skylights. 1061 00:54:16,267 --> 00:54:18,801 We need to cut more windows. We need to put in a door. 1062 00:54:18,968 --> 00:54:21,567 We've got our work cut out for us, so let's go. 1063 00:54:21,734 --> 00:54:22,767 - I'm excited. - You ready? 1064 00:54:22,934 --> 00:54:24,467 - I'm ready. - OK, let me get rid of the ex, 1065 00:54:24,634 --> 00:54:25,968 and let's get to work. - Awesome. 1066 00:54:27,467 --> 00:54:29,467 When you try to rescue a homestead in one week, 1067 00:54:29,634 --> 00:54:31,601 it's so hard. 1068 00:54:31,767 --> 00:54:33,300 Getting stuck and losing a day, 1069 00:54:33,467 --> 00:54:35,267 throwing a track and losing a day. 1070 00:54:35,434 --> 00:54:38,100 Like, these are days lost 1071 00:54:38,267 --> 00:54:39,367 you'll never get back. 1072 00:54:39,534 --> 00:54:41,367 And in this moment, the whole homestead 1073 00:54:41,534 --> 00:54:43,667 and the whole future is at the top. 1074 00:54:43,834 --> 00:54:45,033 Pretty epic. 1075 00:54:45,200 --> 00:54:48,667 But with just three days left, that's the time we have 1076 00:54:48,834 --> 00:54:50,100 to rescue this homestead. 1077 00:54:50,267 --> 00:54:53,868 And I'm telling you right now, it's gonna get wild. 1078 00:54:57,701 --> 00:54:59,400 This looks amazing. 1079 00:54:59,567 --> 00:55:00,868 So good. We're getting there. 1080 00:55:01,033 --> 00:55:03,300 I'm trying to recruit as many people as I can 1081 00:55:03,467 --> 00:55:04,868 'cause I really need help. 1082 00:55:05,033 --> 00:55:09,701 The idea is to paint this thing black so we can have as much 1083 00:55:09,868 --> 00:55:12,901 collection when it comes to warmth, and heat and sun. 1084 00:55:13,067 --> 00:55:15,367 So are you ready to paint? 1085 00:55:15,534 --> 00:55:16,467 - Yeah. - Yeah? 1086 00:55:16,634 --> 00:55:17,868 Are you-- do you like the color black? 1087 00:55:18,033 --> 00:55:19,901 - Yeah. - You brought the right guy. 1088 00:55:20,067 --> 00:55:21,400 Let's go. 1089 00:55:21,567 --> 00:55:23,467 I am in awe of Tristen. 1090 00:55:23,634 --> 00:55:26,300 Tristen painted pretty much the whole 1091 00:55:26,467 --> 00:55:28,167 shipping container by himself. 1092 00:55:28,334 --> 00:55:30,100 What do you think of all this, Tristen? 1093 00:55:30,267 --> 00:55:31,533 Pretty cool. 1094 00:55:31,534 --> 00:55:33,767 And I came in and got some high stuff on a ladder. 1095 00:55:33,934 --> 00:55:35,100 I'm just wowed by him. 1096 00:55:35,267 --> 00:55:37,267 He has a good attitude, he's hardworking, 1097 00:55:37,434 --> 00:55:40,300 and he's fun to be around, and that's all that matters. 1098 00:55:41,367 --> 00:55:42,367 Well, we're getting closer. 1099 00:55:42,534 --> 00:55:43,601 Throwing in the rest of the windows, 1100 00:55:43,767 --> 00:55:45,367 hopefully tomorrow. 1101 00:55:45,534 --> 00:55:48,000 It's windy, so hopefully it dries fast 1102 00:55:48,167 --> 00:55:49,601 because rain is on the way. 1103 00:55:58,367 --> 00:56:01,067 I feel like this is really taking shape, right? 1104 00:56:01,234 --> 00:56:02,167 Yeah. 1105 00:56:02,334 --> 00:56:04,100 On the backside of the homestead, 1106 00:56:04,267 --> 00:56:07,167 Matt, Jaslynne, and Ryder charge ahead 1107 00:56:07,334 --> 00:56:10,200 on the coyote-proof sheep and ram barn. 1108 00:56:10,367 --> 00:56:12,701 I'm glad we got the gutters on because it's been raining 1109 00:56:12,868 --> 00:56:16,767 a little bit, and we already have over 200 gallons filled up 1110 00:56:16,934 --> 00:56:17,967 just from the rain. 1111 00:56:17,968 --> 00:56:20,367 We pretty much got this thing licked, right? 1112 00:56:20,534 --> 00:56:21,501 Yeah. 1113 00:56:21,667 --> 00:56:23,400 But I don't see any sheep in there. 1114 00:56:23,567 --> 00:56:25,000 - No. - Should we put the sheep 1115 00:56:25,167 --> 00:56:26,501 in there? - Yeah. 1116 00:56:26,667 --> 00:56:28,868 OK, let's get some sheep in here. 1117 00:56:29,033 --> 00:56:30,868 You ready to wrestle this ram in there? 1118 00:56:31,033 --> 00:56:32,367 Nope. 1119 00:56:33,667 --> 00:56:34,667 Come on out. 1120 00:56:36,133 --> 00:56:37,701 He's got one. Go, go, go. 1121 00:56:38,868 --> 00:56:42,601 Making the barn 50% bigger and making a pen outside 1122 00:56:42,767 --> 00:56:45,167 of that barn is a good start for the sheep. 1123 00:56:45,334 --> 00:56:46,434 Get 'em in there. 1124 00:56:46,601 --> 00:56:49,501 But the more barn space we add to this homestead, 1125 00:56:49,667 --> 00:56:53,100 it's gonna solve a lot more problems in the future 1126 00:56:53,267 --> 00:56:56,567 because these homesteaders need as many safe places as they 1127 00:56:56,734 --> 00:57:00,100 can get with all the livestock that they have. 1128 00:57:00,267 --> 00:57:01,200 All right. 1129 00:57:01,367 --> 00:57:03,968 Whoo! We did it! 1130 00:57:04,133 --> 00:57:06,567 - Does this look like a secure place for the rams? - Yes. 1131 00:57:06,734 --> 00:57:08,000 - Yeah. - This is more than enough 1132 00:57:08,167 --> 00:57:11,067 space for the rams. What's missing? 1133 00:57:11,234 --> 00:57:12,399 The ewes. 1134 00:57:12,400 --> 00:57:15,868 OK, including the lambs and the ewes, we'll have all 1135 00:57:16,033 --> 00:57:17,400 the sheep inside. - Yeah. 1136 00:57:17,567 --> 00:57:21,367 But we don't have a pen area outside for the rams. 1137 00:57:21,534 --> 00:57:22,467 - Yeah. - Follow me. 1138 00:57:26,367 --> 00:57:31,467 We got a new place for the rams to pasture out in the day, 1139 00:57:31,634 --> 00:57:34,667 new sleeping spot for the sheep at night. 1140 00:57:36,567 --> 00:57:39,234 These changes will make a big difference on the homestead. 1141 00:57:41,701 --> 00:57:43,767 So now we have to take trees down, 1142 00:57:43,934 --> 00:57:45,901 but I know we can put 'em to use. 1143 00:57:46,067 --> 00:57:49,067 We have to create these level garden beds. 1144 00:57:49,234 --> 00:57:52,000 We do have the skid steers, so any trees that come down, 1145 00:57:52,167 --> 00:57:54,167 we'll try and pull 'em up here, buck 'em up, 1146 00:57:54,334 --> 00:57:56,801 and then we will level the ground with logs. 1147 00:57:56,968 --> 00:57:58,467 - Yeah. - Do our best to create 1148 00:57:58,634 --> 00:58:02,100 this garden down the ridge, and I think now is the time. 1149 00:58:02,267 --> 00:58:03,868 That sounds like a great plan. 1150 00:58:05,300 --> 00:58:10,400 With a few days left, nothing's even close to being finished. 1151 00:58:10,567 --> 00:58:14,167 I have to finish this greenhouse, put in the garden, 1152 00:58:14,334 --> 00:58:18,267 and be able to put in a fence and maybe even a wind block. 1153 00:58:18,434 --> 00:58:23,000 These gusts of wind are so sketchy, they've blown windows 1154 00:58:23,167 --> 00:58:24,667 down that I was gonna use for the greenhouse 1155 00:58:24,834 --> 00:58:26,067 that are now broke. 1156 00:58:26,234 --> 00:58:28,567 So I've seen what they're up against. 1157 00:58:28,734 --> 00:58:33,000 I'm realizing the importance with this particular family 1158 00:58:33,167 --> 00:58:36,968 of fresh produce, clean meat, clean water. 1159 00:58:37,133 --> 00:58:39,067 Full steam ahead. We gotta get this done. 1160 00:58:46,267 --> 00:58:48,300 2 1161 00:58:48,467 --> 00:58:50,100 Hello. 1162 00:58:50,267 --> 00:58:52,667 Good morning. 1163 00:58:52,834 --> 00:58:57,267 Day six on the Simoes' 89-acre West Virginian homestead... 1164 00:58:58,267 --> 00:59:01,367 I keep thinking about what you said about wastewater. 1165 00:59:01,534 --> 00:59:04,767 What do you do with that water? How do you get rid of it? 1166 00:59:04,934 --> 00:59:07,601 ...with sign-off to move the storage shed and turn it 1167 00:59:07,767 --> 00:59:09,467 into a bathhouse... 1168 00:59:09,634 --> 00:59:11,167 Untie this thing. 1169 00:59:11,334 --> 00:59:13,667 ...Marty calls in a favor that will make it both 1170 00:59:13,834 --> 00:59:15,501 functional and sanitary. 1171 00:59:20,200 --> 00:59:22,267 Gosh the septic going in, 1172 00:59:22,434 --> 00:59:24,968 it's just gonna be a game-changer for our family. 1173 00:59:25,133 --> 00:59:28,200 Is that good? Thank you. 1174 00:59:30,667 --> 00:59:33,701 So, here's the deal. This brush pile. 1175 00:59:33,868 --> 00:59:37,400 Just down the ridge line, Matt moves into stage two of 1176 00:59:37,567 --> 00:59:41,801 his plan to save the vulnerable livestock on the homestead. 1177 00:59:41,968 --> 00:59:46,601 Having a pile like this right on the edge of your fence 1178 00:59:46,767 --> 00:59:50,267 for your new pasture area, that's not a safe idea when 1179 00:59:50,434 --> 00:59:53,701 it comes to predators and your livestock. 1180 00:59:53,868 --> 00:59:58,701 There's a lot of unsafe areas where coyotes are able to hide 1181 00:59:58,868 --> 01:00:01,467 and get close to this livestock, 1182 01:00:01,634 --> 01:00:04,701 so I'm just gonna go to town with the excavator 1183 01:00:04,868 --> 01:00:07,868 and start getting rid of this brush pile. 1184 01:00:08,033 --> 01:00:12,300 Get it pushed way down there so that we don't have this natural 1185 01:00:12,467 --> 01:00:15,868 cover for the coyotes to come right up to the edge of the new 1186 01:00:16,033 --> 01:00:17,667 pasture fence that we're gonna put in here. 1187 01:00:17,834 --> 01:00:19,066 Yeah. 1188 01:00:19,067 --> 01:00:22,667 Now that the sheep have a safe area to go indoors, 1189 01:00:22,834 --> 01:00:25,300 we need to worry about the outside. 1190 01:00:25,467 --> 01:00:28,100 We need to clear out more space, get rid of the brush, 1191 01:00:28,267 --> 01:00:31,801 get rid of the smaller trees to stop the coyotes from being 1192 01:00:31,968 --> 01:00:34,200 conditioned to using this homestead 1193 01:00:34,367 --> 01:00:37,000 as a drive-through for food. 1194 01:00:37,167 --> 01:00:40,801 Just watch me as I go down the hill, and if anything bad 1195 01:00:40,968 --> 01:00:43,701 happens, call for help. - OK. 1196 01:00:43,868 --> 01:00:44,868 Go over by that stump. 1197 01:00:46,367 --> 01:00:48,067 I hope nothing bad happens. 1198 01:00:48,234 --> 01:00:49,167 Uh, yeah, I know. 1199 01:01:02,467 --> 01:01:03,701 That is very scary. 1200 01:01:03,868 --> 01:01:04,968 Mmm. 1201 01:01:06,767 --> 01:01:08,601 It's really dangerous because the hillside goes, 1202 01:01:08,767 --> 01:01:11,100 like, straight down, and it's kinda scary. 1203 01:01:11,267 --> 01:01:14,267 Hopefully the excavator won't flip or tip over. 1204 01:01:28,467 --> 01:01:31,100 As soon as I pushed that debris down the hill, 1205 01:01:31,267 --> 01:01:32,767 I was pretty much sliding. 1206 01:01:33,801 --> 01:01:36,167 I have one last trick to get myself back up there. 1207 01:01:36,334 --> 01:01:37,767 OK. 1208 01:01:37,934 --> 01:01:39,868 This is where we get the bucket involved. 1209 01:01:40,033 --> 01:01:41,968 That's actually really scary. 1210 01:01:42,133 --> 01:01:43,100 Yeah. 1211 01:01:44,300 --> 01:01:47,400 - Oh, oy! - There you go! 1212 01:01:47,567 --> 01:01:50,667 Yeah! Yes! 1213 01:01:50,834 --> 01:01:51,801 Whoo-hoo! 1214 01:01:54,767 --> 01:01:55,767 All right. 1215 01:01:56,868 --> 01:01:58,601 OK, that was steep, but we did it. 1216 01:01:58,767 --> 01:02:00,601 Did you think I was gonna make it? 1217 01:02:00,767 --> 01:02:02,601 - Um. - We had some doubts. 1218 01:02:02,767 --> 01:02:04,367 - About 30% - Yeah. 1219 01:02:04,534 --> 01:02:05,600 30%? 1220 01:02:05,601 --> 01:02:07,901 - Yes. - We had a few doubts. 1221 01:02:08,067 --> 01:02:12,868 All right, Jaslynne and Ryder, as crazy as that was one time, 1222 01:02:13,033 --> 01:02:14,868 I'm gonna do that 10 more times. 1223 01:02:15,033 --> 01:02:15,868 - Yeah, that's-- - OK. 1224 01:02:16,033 --> 01:02:17,868 That's a little scary. 1225 01:02:18,033 --> 01:02:20,267 Uh, I'm the excavator king. 1226 01:02:20,434 --> 01:02:22,167 Yeah, but, like, it's so scary. 1227 01:02:22,334 --> 01:02:24,300 - Anything could happen. - I'm king of excavator. 1228 01:02:24,467 --> 01:02:27,000 The first pass took a little bit longer, but now that I have 1229 01:02:27,167 --> 01:02:29,868 a road up here, we have enough of an infrastructure here now 1230 01:02:30,033 --> 01:02:32,667 where we can clear out a ton more a lot quicker. 1231 01:02:32,834 --> 01:02:34,000 Let's keep going. 1232 01:02:34,167 --> 01:02:35,100 - Good job. - Slay. 1233 01:02:37,467 --> 01:02:40,367 - Misty! - Hi! 1234 01:02:40,534 --> 01:02:43,501 I have to introduce you to this amazing community 1235 01:02:43,667 --> 01:02:45,267 that I've been telling you all about. 1236 01:02:45,434 --> 01:02:47,567 Yeah! How's it going? 1237 01:02:47,734 --> 01:02:48,868 I'll take all the help I can get. 1238 01:02:50,734 --> 01:02:51,967 Hi, Misty. 1239 01:02:51,968 --> 01:02:54,167 I've never been so excited to see people on a homestead. 1240 01:02:54,334 --> 01:02:55,567 We have our work cut out for us. 1241 01:02:55,734 --> 01:02:58,000 Let's try to put in a garden in an afternoon. 1242 01:02:58,167 --> 01:02:59,100 - Ready? - Yeah. 1243 01:02:59,267 --> 01:03:00,434 Let's go. 1244 01:03:02,501 --> 01:03:04,501 I think the first thing we do is figure out what 1245 01:03:04,667 --> 01:03:08,000 this footprint looks like and start driving some T posts 1246 01:03:08,167 --> 01:03:09,467 10 feet apart. 1247 01:03:10,968 --> 01:03:13,667 In this moment, we have to focus on top priorities, 1248 01:03:13,834 --> 01:03:15,567 and that's food, shelter, water. 1249 01:03:15,734 --> 01:03:18,067 We are not focusing on the wish list. 1250 01:03:18,234 --> 01:03:21,167 And with just 24 hours left, that's all we can do. 1251 01:03:24,767 --> 01:03:26,367 We have all these neighbors that have showed up 1252 01:03:26,534 --> 01:03:27,734 for Paul and Stephanie. 1253 01:03:27,901 --> 01:03:30,601 We're gonna try to do the impossible, which is finish 1254 01:03:30,767 --> 01:03:32,567 this greenhouse, put in the garden, put in some 1255 01:03:32,734 --> 01:03:35,901 fencing, run some water lines in an afternoon. 1256 01:03:36,067 --> 01:03:38,200 But hopefully by the end of today, we're standing 1257 01:03:38,367 --> 01:03:39,501 in Stephanie's new garden. 1258 01:03:43,167 --> 01:03:44,767 I have a little homestead hack for you. 1259 01:03:44,934 --> 01:03:46,701 - You ready? - I'm ready. 1260 01:03:46,868 --> 01:03:48,501 We've got a couple buckets full of water, 1261 01:03:48,667 --> 01:03:50,601 have some burlap sacks. 1262 01:03:50,767 --> 01:03:53,968 All we need is fresh manure, not pig. 1263 01:03:54,133 --> 01:03:58,100 So sheep, goat, cow, horse, let's scoop some up. 1264 01:03:58,267 --> 01:04:00,100 - OK. - OK, I'm gonna grab a bucket. 1265 01:04:00,267 --> 01:04:02,000 You're gonna grab some manure. 1266 01:04:02,167 --> 01:04:06,000 I didn't that there could be more surprises after everything 1267 01:04:06,167 --> 01:04:07,467 thrown at us this week. 1268 01:04:07,634 --> 01:04:10,367 But today, Misty had one last surprise. 1269 01:04:11,868 --> 01:04:15,100 If you use pig manure for what we're about to do, 1270 01:04:15,267 --> 01:04:17,968 it would have to be aged or composted. 1271 01:04:18,133 --> 01:04:21,267 Hey, thanks, guys. You just helped us so much. 1272 01:04:22,367 --> 01:04:24,868 So we're gonna make manure tea. 1273 01:04:25,033 --> 01:04:27,467 And unlike compost, which people can struggle with 1274 01:04:27,634 --> 01:04:31,567 sometimes, this manure tea is gonna be organic fertilizer 1275 01:04:31,734 --> 01:04:33,400 in a matter of days. - That's awesome. 1276 01:04:33,567 --> 01:04:36,300 So it's one part manure, fresh manure 1277 01:04:37,501 --> 01:04:39,300 is the key word, 10 parts 1278 01:04:40,868 --> 01:04:41,901 water. 1279 01:04:42,067 --> 01:04:44,767 And in a matter of days, you're gonna have all 1280 01:04:44,934 --> 01:04:47,100 the organic fertilizer you could ever need 1281 01:04:47,267 --> 01:04:49,100 for that garden. - Yes. 1282 01:04:49,267 --> 01:04:50,767 That's awesome. 1283 01:04:50,934 --> 01:04:54,601 The manure tea that's going to fertilize all of our plants is 1284 01:04:54,767 --> 01:04:56,567 also going to make it super easy. 1285 01:04:56,734 --> 01:05:00,567 It's like one extra-step in our process of what we do 1286 01:05:00,734 --> 01:05:03,801 in our day already, because we're mucking stalls, right? 1287 01:05:03,968 --> 01:05:06,901 And you're just gonna strain all the manure out. 1288 01:05:08,000 --> 01:05:11,200 So we just have to separate the poop and we'll be able 1289 01:05:11,367 --> 01:05:14,100 to use it for a thriving garden. Super excited. 1290 01:05:14,267 --> 01:05:16,000 - So pull this off. - Yep. 1291 01:05:16,167 --> 01:05:17,767 Good. There's your manure tea. 1292 01:05:17,934 --> 01:05:19,701 - Does it look good? - It does look good. 1293 01:05:19,868 --> 01:05:22,100 And in a matter of days, you can have fresh, organic 1294 01:05:22,267 --> 01:05:26,701 fertilizer, and it's easy, as easy as pie. - I love it. 1295 01:05:26,868 --> 01:05:28,267 As easy as poo. 1296 01:05:35,400 --> 01:05:37,701 2 1297 01:05:40,167 --> 01:05:42,167 How heavy do you think they are? 1298 01:05:42,334 --> 01:05:45,834 Probably around 250, 300, somewhere around there. 1299 01:05:46,000 --> 01:05:47,868 - So easy to move. - Yeah. 1300 01:05:49,734 --> 01:05:52,133 It's the final day of the rescue. 1301 01:05:52,300 --> 01:05:55,234 And at the pig pen, Paul and Stephanie have agreed 1302 01:05:55,400 --> 01:05:58,601 to another practical decision to process some 1303 01:05:58,767 --> 01:06:00,066 of their livestock. 1304 01:06:00,067 --> 01:06:01,501 How do you think this is gonna go? 1305 01:06:01,667 --> 01:06:03,567 It's either gonna go good or bad. 1306 01:06:03,734 --> 01:06:05,033 Or horribly wrong. 1307 01:06:06,567 --> 01:06:08,133 You know what? We're all smart. 1308 01:06:08,300 --> 01:06:09,200 We're all tough. 1309 01:06:09,367 --> 01:06:10,467 We're gonna give it everything got. 1310 01:06:10,634 --> 01:06:12,467 Hopefully we get lucky. So let's go. 1311 01:06:12,634 --> 01:06:13,868 Come on. 1312 01:06:14,834 --> 01:06:18,734 Employing a nose-to-tail butchering technique to utilize 1313 01:06:18,901 --> 01:06:20,968 every aspect of the animal, 1314 01:06:21,133 --> 01:06:25,400 one 300-pound pig can yield roughly 150 pounds 1315 01:06:25,567 --> 01:06:29,167 of edible meat, including ham, bacon, pork loin, 1316 01:06:29,334 --> 01:06:31,767 and ribs, among other cuts. 1317 01:06:31,934 --> 01:06:35,467 While the fat can be turned into lard, intestines into 1318 01:06:35,634 --> 01:06:39,133 sausage casings, and the bones even providing a main 1319 01:06:39,300 --> 01:06:41,167 ingredient in glue. 1320 01:06:41,334 --> 01:06:45,934 All in all, feeding a family of seven for several weeks. 1321 01:06:48,400 --> 01:06:49,868 Come on, come on, come on. 1322 01:06:50,033 --> 01:06:52,267 These homesteaders have a lot of livestock. 1323 01:06:52,434 --> 01:06:56,167 There are three pigs that are three months past due 1324 01:06:56,334 --> 01:06:57,868 to go out to market. 1325 01:06:58,033 --> 01:07:01,467 And I think it'd be amazing if we started doing something 1326 01:07:01,634 --> 01:07:04,267 with the pigs that they should've done a long time ago. 1327 01:07:04,434 --> 01:07:06,767 Go, go, go, go, go. 1328 01:07:06,934 --> 01:07:08,667 We're gonna have to see if we can get 'em 1329 01:07:08,834 --> 01:07:11,467 into a tighter chute is gonna be the key. 1330 01:07:17,267 --> 01:07:19,367 OK? If you can get the pig to come 1331 01:07:19,534 --> 01:07:21,567 into this corner and come down 1332 01:07:21,734 --> 01:07:24,868 this chute, you might get him to go in the trailer. 1333 01:07:25,033 --> 01:07:26,366 It might work. 1334 01:07:26,367 --> 01:07:28,601 Yeah, let's see if we can get one to come around that corner. 1335 01:07:28,767 --> 01:07:30,868 - Nope, go that way. - Oh, nope, nope, nope, nope. 1336 01:07:31,934 --> 01:07:34,667 Right now, we're gonna be sending a couple pigs to 1337 01:07:34,834 --> 01:07:37,968 the butcher, so it's amazing. That will help us out a lot. 1338 01:07:38,133 --> 01:07:39,233 Whoa. 1339 01:07:39,234 --> 01:07:40,868 Yeah, he's just gonna run right past us. 1340 01:07:41,033 --> 01:07:42,367 Tristen, can you hand me that feed? 1341 01:07:45,767 --> 01:07:48,567 My kids help me out a lot, and it's a dream come true that 1342 01:07:48,734 --> 01:07:49,968 they're actually helping the homestead. 1343 01:07:51,067 --> 01:07:52,400 Get behind those pigs. 1344 01:07:54,868 --> 01:07:56,367 Come on. 1345 01:07:58,834 --> 01:08:01,100 - There you go. - Get over there, buddy. 1346 01:08:01,267 --> 01:08:02,367 Oh, and they're both going. 1347 01:08:02,534 --> 01:08:04,000 Oh, that would be perfect. 1348 01:08:04,567 --> 01:08:08,667 Being able to homestead with my kids is so deeply rewarding, 1349 01:08:08,834 --> 01:08:11,167 and I'm glad Paul has experienced the same 1350 01:08:11,334 --> 01:08:12,667 thing with his family. 1351 01:08:12,834 --> 01:08:14,132 Come on, come on, come on. 1352 01:08:14,133 --> 01:08:17,334 When you have kids that are dedicated to homesteading, 1353 01:08:17,501 --> 01:08:19,567 everything else is gonna fall into place. 1354 01:08:19,734 --> 01:08:21,567 - Close it, close it, close it. - Uh, yes. 1355 01:08:21,734 --> 01:08:22,667 That's good. 1356 01:08:22,834 --> 01:08:24,567 That's it, whoo. 1357 01:08:24,734 --> 01:08:26,033 - There you go. - All right, whoo. 1358 01:08:26,200 --> 01:08:27,133 High five. 1359 01:08:28,167 --> 01:08:29,433 Well, that was fun. 1360 01:08:29,434 --> 01:08:32,067 I felt like I was at the rodeo for a second there. 1361 01:08:33,367 --> 01:08:36,033 Paul, are you happy that you finally got the animals 1362 01:08:36,200 --> 01:08:37,601 in the trailer? - Yes, yes. 1363 01:08:37,767 --> 01:08:39,100 And you're getting them off the property. 1364 01:08:39,267 --> 01:08:40,600 It's amazing. 1365 01:08:40,601 --> 01:08:43,133 This is a win for the homestead, 'cause this needed to happen. 1366 01:08:43,300 --> 01:08:45,000 Let's not waste any time. 1367 01:08:45,167 --> 01:08:48,968 This is the first load of animals leaving the homestead, 1368 01:08:49,133 --> 01:08:51,934 but this is just the beginning. - Thank you. 1369 01:08:52,100 --> 01:08:53,033 Thanks, Doug. 1370 01:08:57,567 --> 01:09:00,133 Hey. OK, guys. 1371 01:09:00,300 --> 01:09:02,968 Later that day, on the Simoes' homestead... 1372 01:09:03,133 --> 01:09:04,968 The well driller had news. 1373 01:09:05,133 --> 01:09:08,167 ...Marty gathers the family for an update on the search 1374 01:09:08,334 --> 01:09:10,667 for clean, dependable drinking water. 1375 01:09:10,834 --> 01:09:12,133 I said, "Is it good or bad?" 1376 01:09:12,300 --> 01:09:13,667 He goes, he's not gonna tell me. 1377 01:09:13,834 --> 01:09:15,567 - Oh, no. - Oh, no. 1378 01:09:15,734 --> 01:09:17,934 Get in, get in. 1379 01:09:18,100 --> 01:09:20,367 If they can get this family, good, clean, 1380 01:09:20,534 --> 01:09:21,667 safe drinking water... 1381 01:09:21,834 --> 01:09:23,099 Whoo. 1382 01:09:23,100 --> 01:09:26,400 ...they realize that there's hope in this homestead dream. 1383 01:09:34,067 --> 01:09:36,467 Good, bad, or otherwise, here it comes. 1384 01:09:36,634 --> 01:09:38,133 - Yeah. - What is it? 1385 01:09:40,601 --> 01:09:42,033 Oh, my God! 1386 01:09:43,767 --> 01:09:46,501 - We got water. - Ah! 1387 01:09:46,667 --> 01:09:48,367 You guys ready to taste it? 1388 01:09:48,534 --> 01:09:52,467 Yeah, the cleanest of mountain water, oh. 1389 01:09:52,634 --> 01:09:53,767 Yeah. 1390 01:09:56,868 --> 01:09:58,767 What do you think? 1391 01:09:58,934 --> 01:10:00,033 It's incredible. 1392 01:10:00,200 --> 01:10:01,968 Clean water, clean mountain water. 1393 01:10:02,133 --> 01:10:03,567 It's amazing. 1394 01:10:03,734 --> 01:10:05,667 Now we have water from the gutters. 1395 01:10:05,834 --> 01:10:10,367 We also have a well, a sustainable amount of water 1396 01:10:10,534 --> 01:10:12,834 that I don't have to worry about ever again. 1397 01:10:13,000 --> 01:10:15,367 - Would you drink out of the creek? - No, not without filtering. 1398 01:10:15,534 --> 01:10:17,667 - Would you drink out of that black thing up there-- - No. 1399 01:10:17,834 --> 01:10:18,968 where you, all your water go? 1400 01:10:19,133 --> 01:10:20,501 - Yes or no? - No. 1401 01:10:20,667 --> 01:10:21,867 I wouldn't either. 1402 01:10:21,868 --> 01:10:25,567 But you might not ever have to, based on this, right? 1403 01:10:25,734 --> 01:10:27,968 - Yeah. - That is a life-changing thing. 1404 01:10:28,133 --> 01:10:31,133 Being able to take that fresh, clean water directly out 1405 01:10:31,300 --> 01:10:32,968 of the mountain, we know that it's clean. 1406 01:10:33,133 --> 01:10:36,267 It hasn't been contaminated. It's coming from 90 feet down. 1407 01:10:36,434 --> 01:10:39,234 It's going to make all the other pieces 1408 01:10:39,400 --> 01:10:40,534 fall into place 1409 01:10:40,701 --> 01:10:43,734 for the overall health of our family and our goals 1410 01:10:43,901 --> 01:10:44,968 for our homestead. 1411 01:10:45,133 --> 01:10:47,868 This is the way we like to end the day. 1412 01:10:48,033 --> 01:10:50,767 Not stuck on the side of the mountain, and not 1413 01:10:50,934 --> 01:10:53,167 broke down on this side of the mountain. 1414 01:10:53,334 --> 01:10:56,267 So this might be everything turning around here. 1415 01:10:56,434 --> 01:10:57,400 - Yes. - And for many 1416 01:10:57,567 --> 01:10:59,367 homesteaders, that's a miracle. 1417 01:10:59,534 --> 01:11:01,601 It's like you've said before, it's better than gold. 1418 01:11:08,734 --> 01:11:10,133 - This is beautiful. - You like it? 1419 01:11:10,300 --> 01:11:11,834 - It's awesome. - That makes me really happy 1420 01:11:12,000 --> 01:11:13,501 because we really were able to 1421 01:11:13,667 --> 01:11:18,400 just pick up where your husband left off and we turned it into 1422 01:11:18,567 --> 01:11:21,567 like a fortress where the sheep could be safe. 1423 01:11:21,734 --> 01:11:24,234 The rams have been inside there for a while. 1424 01:11:24,400 --> 01:11:25,968 - Should we let them out? - Yeah, let's do that. 1425 01:11:26,133 --> 01:11:27,067 - OK, ready? - Yep. 1426 01:11:29,033 --> 01:11:30,767 - There we go. - OK. 1427 01:11:30,934 --> 01:11:32,267 Oh, hey. 1428 01:11:32,434 --> 01:11:34,400 This barn is split up into two sections, 1429 01:11:34,567 --> 01:11:36,234 and the backside is just for the rams. 1430 01:11:36,400 --> 01:11:39,934 So the mamas with their babies can be calm and relaxed 1431 01:11:40,100 --> 01:11:41,767 and just raise them up. It's perfect. 1432 01:11:41,934 --> 01:11:43,868 Absolutely. And safe. 1433 01:11:44,033 --> 01:11:46,868 The biggest part to making the sheep safe was having 1434 01:11:47,033 --> 01:11:49,734 a barn that predators couldn't get in at night. 1435 01:11:49,901 --> 01:11:52,234 - Yep. - That is done. 1436 01:11:52,400 --> 01:11:54,767 But we went above and beyond. Follow me. 1437 01:11:57,033 --> 01:11:58,667 When you look over the edge here, doesn't it look 1438 01:11:58,834 --> 01:11:59,868 a lot clearer? - It does. 1439 01:12:00,100 --> 01:12:01,868 I mean, you can see all the way to the bottom. 1440 01:12:02,033 --> 01:12:04,133 - Yeah. - That is important because now 1441 01:12:04,300 --> 01:12:06,133 you can look down and you can see. 1442 01:12:06,300 --> 01:12:07,734 A coyote is gonna come across here. 1443 01:12:07,901 --> 01:12:09,267 You're never gonna stop coyotes from coming 1444 01:12:09,434 --> 01:12:10,667 on this property. - Mm-hmm. 1445 01:12:10,834 --> 01:12:13,000 But they're gonna be way less likely to come out 1446 01:12:13,167 --> 01:12:14,567 into open areas. 1447 01:12:14,734 --> 01:12:19,133 Removing all those massive piles of debris and trees, 1448 01:12:19,300 --> 01:12:22,400 you now have a clear area where you can extend the pasture 1449 01:12:22,567 --> 01:12:25,033 for the horses and livestock in the future. 1450 01:12:26,234 --> 01:12:30,100 A week ago, the Simoes were under siege on all fronts 1451 01:12:30,267 --> 01:12:33,934 by vicious coyotes, brought in by the smell of a rotting 1452 01:12:34,100 --> 01:12:36,834 bait pile and driven closer to the home 1453 01:12:37,000 --> 01:12:39,067 by the family's excessive livestock. 1454 01:12:40,467 --> 01:12:44,501 Now, with the introduction of a reinforced sheep barn, 1455 01:12:44,667 --> 01:12:48,767 the most vulnerable animals are protected from dusk till dawn, 1456 01:12:48,934 --> 01:12:51,567 while surrounding brush piles have been cleared, 1457 01:12:51,734 --> 01:12:55,767 pushing coyote territory back to a safer distance. 1458 01:12:55,934 --> 01:12:59,968 Finally, as the Simoes family continues reducing the number 1459 01:13:00,200 --> 01:13:04,167 of animals on the homestead, coyote incursions will also 1460 01:13:04,334 --> 01:13:09,267 diminish, creating a safer place for man and animal alike. 1461 01:13:09,434 --> 01:13:11,734 I'm really excited about your guys' future. 1462 01:13:11,901 --> 01:13:15,667 Hopefully, we're getting to a point now where you are 1463 01:13:15,834 --> 01:13:18,167 living in harmony with the natural habitat 1464 01:13:18,334 --> 01:13:19,467 of the coyotes. 1465 01:13:21,400 --> 01:13:24,567 But before Matt can claim mission accomplished, 1466 01:13:24,734 --> 01:13:27,734 he has one more project for Stephanie to approve. 1467 01:13:28,767 --> 01:13:31,767 Ever since I set foot on this homestead, 1468 01:13:31,934 --> 01:13:33,501 something hasn't smelled right. 1469 01:13:33,667 --> 01:13:34,767 Mm-hmm. 1470 01:13:34,934 --> 01:13:37,467 And so I just wanted to make one last request 1471 01:13:37,634 --> 01:13:39,968 that we get rid of the bait pile once and for all. 1472 01:13:41,767 --> 01:13:43,968 - OK, does that make sense? - Yeah. 1473 01:13:44,133 --> 01:13:46,667 Yeah, no. I-- I think... 1474 01:13:52,067 --> 01:13:55,367 2 I'm no entomologist, but you can't build one thing 1475 01:13:55,534 --> 01:13:59,467 on a homestead and not be worried about insects. 1476 01:13:59,634 --> 01:14:01,934 There's a lot of ants here infiltrating... 1477 01:14:02,100 --> 01:14:03,133 What's that thing right there? 1478 01:14:03,300 --> 01:14:04,567 ...everything in their path. 1479 01:14:04,734 --> 01:14:07,467 Millions of bugs that I've never seen before. 1480 01:14:07,634 --> 01:14:08,934 Holy! 1481 01:14:09,100 --> 01:14:10,133 It's on your neck! 1482 01:14:10,300 --> 01:14:12,133 It's on your neck. It's in your coat. 1483 01:14:12,300 --> 01:14:14,067 Holy! 1484 01:14:14,234 --> 01:14:17,367 - Is it on me? - It's like a big giant beetle. 1485 01:14:17,534 --> 01:14:18,868 It was on his neck. 1486 01:14:19,033 --> 01:14:21,000 All right. 1487 01:14:21,167 --> 01:14:22,667 I wanna see what this is all about. 1488 01:14:22,834 --> 01:14:25,100 - I planted that beetle in there. - Was it a beetle? 1489 01:14:25,267 --> 01:14:26,334 I can take a beetle. 1490 01:14:26,501 --> 01:14:27,868 I don't care what these kids are doing. 1491 01:14:28,033 --> 01:14:30,501 Misty and Matt should be worried about bugs. 1492 01:14:30,667 --> 01:14:32,167 I get it, Dad. I get it. 1493 01:14:38,767 --> 01:14:42,467 2 It's the last day, but we're-- this is, like, zero hour, 1494 01:14:42,634 --> 01:14:45,767 and this excavator is gonna go away. 1495 01:14:45,934 --> 01:14:49,133 And so I just wanted to make one last request, that we get 1496 01:14:49,300 --> 01:14:52,467 rid of the bait pile once and for all, OK? 1497 01:14:52,634 --> 01:14:54,100 - Does that make sense? - Yeah, yeah. 1498 01:14:54,267 --> 01:14:55,701 No, I-- I think... 1499 01:14:58,167 --> 01:14:59,367 it does make sense. 1500 01:15:00,567 --> 01:15:03,934 Now that Matt has created a safe space for our sheep, 1501 01:15:04,100 --> 01:15:06,100 I don't have to worry about coyotes. 1502 01:15:06,267 --> 01:15:09,567 And I'm more than willing to be done with our bait pile, 1503 01:15:09,734 --> 01:15:12,234 Getting Stephanie over her vendetta, 1504 01:15:12,400 --> 01:15:16,267 and ending the war with the coyotes, that's where real 1505 01:15:16,434 --> 01:15:17,534 growth takes place. 1506 01:15:22,367 --> 01:15:23,667 - Hi! - Hi! 1507 01:15:23,834 --> 01:15:25,534 On the other side of the homestead... 1508 01:15:25,701 --> 01:15:27,467 Welcome to the garden party. 1509 01:15:28,934 --> 01:15:31,868 ...Misty pulls the kids aside for the finishing touches 1510 01:15:32,033 --> 01:15:34,767 on the gust-proof greenhouse and garden. 1511 01:15:34,934 --> 01:15:36,334 This is where you guys come in. 1512 01:15:36,501 --> 01:15:39,367 I have this crazy box of fun. 1513 01:15:39,534 --> 01:15:41,467 There's windmills, there's windsocks, 1514 01:15:41,634 --> 01:15:43,100 there's wind chimes. 1515 01:15:43,267 --> 01:15:44,934 Can you guys help me put everything together 1516 01:15:45,100 --> 01:15:47,167 and hang it? - Yeah. 1517 01:15:47,334 --> 01:15:49,734 One thing I know about kids is the more fun you make 1518 01:15:49,901 --> 01:15:52,434 something, the more likely they are to get involved. 1519 01:15:52,601 --> 01:15:55,100 - Oh, they spin! - They spin! 1520 01:15:55,267 --> 01:15:57,167 I wanna create, like, this garden party. 1521 01:15:57,334 --> 01:16:00,067 Wind chimes, windsocks, windmills. 1522 01:16:00,234 --> 01:16:04,767 And hopefully it deters deer, but attracts kids. 1523 01:16:04,934 --> 01:16:05,767 Nice. Good job. 1524 01:16:05,934 --> 01:16:07,567 Go, go, go. Yeah! 1525 01:16:07,734 --> 01:16:09,367 I know we're on the right path. 1526 01:16:09,534 --> 01:16:12,734 And I think the importance of what we've done here and what 1527 01:16:12,901 --> 01:16:15,667 we've been trying to do this whole time is for the kids. 1528 01:16:15,834 --> 01:16:19,367 It's for their ultimate health, and it's for their future. 1529 01:16:19,534 --> 01:16:22,133 Yoo! Look at him go! 1530 01:16:22,300 --> 01:16:23,299 Oh, that's so pretty. 1531 01:16:23,300 --> 01:16:25,667 - Do we love it? - Look at it, guys. 1532 01:16:25,834 --> 01:16:28,234 I think it already feels like our space. 1533 01:16:28,400 --> 01:16:30,968 I can't wait until we have thriving plants growing there 1534 01:16:31,133 --> 01:16:34,267 to produce fresh produce for our family. 1535 01:16:34,434 --> 01:16:37,767 - Really excited about it. - OK, garden party's complete. 1536 01:16:37,934 --> 01:16:39,868 We're deterring deers and attracting kids. 1537 01:16:40,033 --> 01:16:41,868 - We're done. - Awesome. 1538 01:16:42,934 --> 01:16:45,167 You ready to get out of the wind? 1539 01:16:45,334 --> 01:16:47,367 - Oh, wow. - It's like really warm. 1540 01:16:48,601 --> 01:16:51,968 - It's so big in here. - So, what do you think? 1541 01:16:52,133 --> 01:16:54,234 - It is awesome. - Like it? 1542 01:16:54,400 --> 01:16:57,667 Misty did an amazing job with the greenhouse. 1543 01:16:57,834 --> 01:16:59,667 It is super warm in there. 1544 01:16:59,834 --> 01:17:02,434 I don't think I'm going to need any special, like, lights 1545 01:17:02,601 --> 01:17:06,167 or grow lights or anything like that to use to start seeds. 1546 01:17:06,334 --> 01:17:09,234 I can't wait to get all the plants started 1547 01:17:09,400 --> 01:17:12,367 in the ground, get some more fruit trees and berry bushes 1548 01:17:12,534 --> 01:17:14,868 and really extend it down the ridge. 1549 01:17:15,033 --> 01:17:18,968 So I'm really excited to just keep that project going. 1550 01:17:19,133 --> 01:17:21,868 I love this garden so much. 1551 01:17:22,033 --> 01:17:23,199 Yes. 1552 01:17:23,200 --> 01:17:25,467 When you combine the structure with some of the tips, 1553 01:17:25,634 --> 01:17:28,167 you'll be able to grow a hardy plant that can survive 1554 01:17:28,334 --> 01:17:31,033 out here. - This turned out so beautiful. 1555 01:17:31,200 --> 01:17:34,567 I didn't expect it to, kinda have the, you know, step effect 1556 01:17:34,734 --> 01:17:36,767 that it does. It's-- it's awesome. - Yeah. 1557 01:17:36,934 --> 01:17:38,601 I actually have a little surprise for you. 1558 01:17:38,767 --> 01:17:40,167 Go ahead and flip that switch. 1559 01:17:44,467 --> 01:17:49,033 - Oh, my gosh, there's water. - There's water. 1560 01:17:49,200 --> 01:17:54,133 So you are not hauling water to this garden 1561 01:17:54,300 --> 01:17:56,367 or greenhouse ever. 1562 01:17:56,534 --> 01:17:59,133 This comes from the catchment tank. 1563 01:17:59,300 --> 01:18:02,067 There's 800 gallons in there. You have the well below. 1564 01:18:02,234 --> 01:18:05,167 You have two water sources, and that guarantees an endless 1565 01:18:05,334 --> 01:18:08,167 supply of water no matter what. - I'm so happy. 1566 01:18:08,334 --> 01:18:09,399 I'm so happy. 1567 01:18:09,400 --> 01:18:12,100 I think it's like, what else do we need to do? 1568 01:18:12,267 --> 01:18:13,767 That's it. 1569 01:18:13,934 --> 01:18:18,000 One week ago, the Simoes' garden was non-existent, 1570 01:18:18,167 --> 01:18:21,100 as too much wind, too little water, 1571 01:18:21,267 --> 01:18:23,267 and a nutrient-depleted soil 1572 01:18:23,434 --> 01:18:26,767 made it impossible to grow the natural produce needed for 1573 01:18:26,934 --> 01:18:28,334 the children's health concerns. 1574 01:18:29,767 --> 01:18:33,567 Now, with the introduction of the gust-proof greenhouse 1575 01:18:33,734 --> 01:18:37,934 and several raised garden beds topped with nutrient-rich soil, 1576 01:18:38,100 --> 01:18:41,167 Stephanie and the rest of the family will be able to grow 1577 01:18:41,334 --> 01:18:44,267 enough produce to feed the whole family. 1578 01:18:44,434 --> 01:18:46,767 This is going to really help us to be able to move forward 1579 01:18:46,934 --> 01:18:48,000 with this project. - Yeah. 1580 01:18:48,167 --> 01:18:49,734 - Not having to haul it. - Yeah. 1581 01:18:49,901 --> 01:18:51,834 - And extend it. - And extend it. 1582 01:18:52,000 --> 01:18:53,734 - I'm so excited. I'm so excited. - Yay, thank you. 1583 01:18:53,901 --> 01:18:56,367 So it's really sad, but now we have to find 1584 01:18:56,534 --> 01:18:59,868 everybody and say goodbye. It's so terrible. 1585 01:19:00,100 --> 01:19:01,567 Yeah. I'm gonna miss you guys. 1586 01:19:01,734 --> 01:19:03,567 I'm gonna miss you too. 1587 01:19:08,534 --> 01:19:11,434 All right, sir. Let's fire it up. 1588 01:19:16,167 --> 01:19:18,133 The well is amazing. 1589 01:19:18,300 --> 01:19:21,000 We're getting clean water from a mountain. 1590 01:19:21,167 --> 01:19:24,934 The well produces around 900 gallons per hour. 1591 01:19:25,100 --> 01:19:27,534 And to me, I believe it's the best kind of water you could have. 1592 01:19:32,067 --> 01:19:34,467 You might have this thing overflowing if we get an inch 1593 01:19:34,634 --> 01:19:36,434 and a half of rain or two. - Yeah. 1594 01:19:36,601 --> 01:19:39,033 You can see the line heading there, it's gravity 1595 01:19:39,200 --> 01:19:42,000 to the garden, it's also gravity to the barn. - Yeah. 1596 01:19:42,167 --> 01:19:43,567 And it's already plumbed in. 1597 01:19:43,734 --> 01:19:47,467 So if you go over to the emus, or the horses, or the cows, 1598 01:19:47,634 --> 01:19:49,934 you got water at all those locations. - Yep. 1599 01:19:50,100 --> 01:19:51,233 - Right? - Yep. 1600 01:19:51,234 --> 01:19:55,100 - Makes life easier. - Notice those stairs we built. 1601 01:19:55,267 --> 01:19:56,367 - That's amazing. - Are they cool? 1602 01:19:56,534 --> 01:19:58,067 - You like 'em? - Yeah, that's really cool. 1603 01:19:58,234 --> 01:19:59,868 And the back of this building is... 1604 01:20:03,567 --> 01:20:04,667 Have a seat. 1605 01:20:06,167 --> 01:20:08,434 Gotta start doing this a lot. 1606 01:20:10,567 --> 01:20:14,033 Seven days ago, the Simoes' homesteading dream 1607 01:20:14,200 --> 01:20:18,267 was running dry, as the unique challenges combined with 1608 01:20:18,434 --> 01:20:21,601 missing infrastructure, excessive livestock, 1609 01:20:21,767 --> 01:20:25,601 and extreme swings in weather, overwhelmed the family. 1610 01:20:27,334 --> 01:20:31,934 Now, the homestead has two reliable water sources, 1611 01:20:32,100 --> 01:20:35,234 with rain catchment easing the burden on the garden 1612 01:20:35,400 --> 01:20:38,868 and livestock, and a well delivering dependable 1613 01:20:39,033 --> 01:20:42,567 drinking water, even in the worst of droughts. 1614 01:20:42,734 --> 01:20:46,667 And with the new septic tank and bathroom structure, 1615 01:20:46,834 --> 01:20:50,334 the family has a sanitary and sustainable way to 1616 01:20:50,501 --> 01:20:54,467 eliminate waste, bringing them one step closer to moving into 1617 01:20:54,634 --> 01:20:55,567 their forever home. 1618 01:20:59,868 --> 01:21:03,567 Well, did it go by fast? 1619 01:21:03,734 --> 01:21:07,968 - Yeah. - It was a crazy week. 1620 01:21:08,133 --> 01:21:10,000 After everything I've seen happen here, 1621 01:21:10,167 --> 01:21:12,367 working with Jaslynne and Ryder, 1622 01:21:12,534 --> 01:21:16,234 I now believe it's not gonna be an uphill battle anymore. 1623 01:21:17,667 --> 01:21:19,567 Stephanie, I'm gonna miss you. 1624 01:21:19,734 --> 01:21:22,167 Like, you are such a sweet, vibrant, 1625 01:21:22,334 --> 01:21:25,601 hardworking human being. You're a really good mom. 1626 01:21:25,767 --> 01:21:27,767 You really care about your kids, 1627 01:21:27,934 --> 01:21:30,467 and you're doing everything for your kids, 1628 01:21:30,634 --> 01:21:33,100 and that resonated with me the whole time. 1629 01:21:33,267 --> 01:21:34,567 My time working with you is such a pleasure. 1630 01:21:34,734 --> 01:21:36,868 You're such a beautiful person inside and out. 1631 01:21:37,033 --> 01:21:39,067 - Thank you. - The Raneys are leaving, 1632 01:21:39,234 --> 01:21:44,667 and I see the changes done to the homestead, and I 100% 1633 01:21:44,834 --> 01:21:46,367 appreciate everything they've done for us, 'cause we've 1634 01:21:46,534 --> 01:21:49,834 never had help our whole entire life, so it's amazing, 1635 01:21:50,000 --> 01:21:53,067 and it's definitely pushed us forward. 1636 01:21:53,234 --> 01:21:55,167 I appreciate you guys so much. 1637 01:21:55,334 --> 01:21:57,234 It's amazing what you guys have done for us. 1638 01:21:57,400 --> 01:21:58,534 On that note, young lady. 1639 01:22:03,734 --> 01:22:06,167 Oh . 1640 01:22:06,334 --> 01:22:10,834 - Oh, my goodness! - Thank you. 1641 01:22:11,000 --> 01:22:12,467 - It was good manners. - Thank you. 1642 01:22:12,634 --> 01:22:13,934 And hopefully that fits you. 1643 01:22:15,167 --> 01:22:16,868 That fits beautifully. You look great. 1644 01:22:18,734 --> 01:22:20,367 - Thanks for everything. - Thanks, thanks. 1645 01:22:20,534 --> 01:22:22,167 - Bye, everybody. - Bring it in, kids. 1646 01:22:22,334 --> 01:22:27,133 Everyone knows that song, "Almost heaven, West Virginia." 1647 01:22:27,300 --> 01:22:29,033 - All right, guys. - Thank you so much. 1648 01:22:29,200 --> 01:22:30,868 - See you later. - Yoo! 1649 01:22:31,033 --> 01:22:34,234 This family of seven has a lot of plans 1650 01:22:34,400 --> 01:22:36,100 for their homestead dream. 1651 01:22:36,267 --> 01:22:40,334 And I wanna believe they're a little bit closer to heaven, 1652 01:22:40,501 --> 01:22:43,601 right here in West Virginia. 1653 01:22:52,868 --> 01:22:56,367 Since the Raneys left, things have been super busy. 1654 01:22:56,534 --> 01:22:59,067 The greenhouse is doing excellent, 1655 01:22:59,234 --> 01:23:01,434 and we're getting a surplus of food. 1656 01:23:01,601 --> 01:23:04,467 We recently processed our first sheep. 1657 01:23:04,634 --> 01:23:09,868 We actually made lamb burgers with greens from our garden. 1658 01:23:10,033 --> 01:23:12,167 The water catchment has been going really good 1659 01:23:12,334 --> 01:23:13,534 with the amount of rain we've been getting. 1660 01:23:13,701 --> 01:23:15,868 It's been keeping the tank pretty full. 1661 01:23:16,033 --> 01:23:20,467 The kids are doing great. Spring projects are underway. 1662 01:23:20,634 --> 01:23:22,667 We have been moving things into the house 1663 01:23:22,834 --> 01:23:24,868 and we're actually sleeping in there now. 1664 01:23:25,033 --> 01:23:26,033 It's amazing. 1665 01:23:26,200 --> 01:23:27,834 Couldn't have asked for a better spring.