1
00:00:01,502 --> 00:00:03,402
[dramatic music playing]
2
00:00:09,110 --> 00:00:10,843
[cow mooing]
3
00:00:28,396 --> 00:00:29,628
[Eivin speaking]
4
00:00:29,630 --> 00:00:30,762
[siren blaring]
5
00:00:35,903 --> 00:00:38,137
I don't know if he has
got a broken back.
6
00:00:38,205 --> 00:00:43,142
If his rib cage is crushed.
If he is bleeding out
somewhere.
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00:00:43,243 --> 00:00:46,712
And this is probably
one of the worst blizzards
we have seen in years.
8
00:00:51,218 --> 00:00:53,018
That's rushing my dad
to the hospital.
9
00:00:55,423 --> 00:00:56,422
It's terrifying.
10
00:01:04,265 --> 00:01:07,032
[dramatic music playing]
11
00:01:18,312 --> 00:01:20,112
[Eivin] You know,
we got to the hospital.
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00:01:20,114 --> 00:01:21,947
They said my dad
punctured both of his lungs
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He's broken, like,
16 or more ribs,
14
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some of them also the closes
to, like, some major arterie
and stuff like that.
15
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It's pretty scary.
I feel like right now.
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[machines beeping]
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00:01:34,829 --> 00:01:36,228
[Otto speaking]
18
00:01:39,834 --> 00:01:41,934
[Elvin] I can't really belie
I am here right now.
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00:01:42,002 --> 00:01:44,203
Today started out like
any other day.
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And then I got a text
from a friend of my dad's
that he was working when,
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and it just says,
"911. Otto is hurt.
Call me back immediately."
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00:01:53,314 --> 00:01:55,247
And I did.
I called him back immediately
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and he is like,
"Your dad is hurt.
He got trampled by a cow."
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We called an ambulance.
25
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And I was like, okay,
I am on the way.
26
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[dramatic music playing]
27
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[Eivin] My friend, Brian,
jumped in the truck with me
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We threw my four-wheeler
in the back of the truck
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00:02:09,930 --> 00:02:12,931
because where we were
going was four wheeler access
only.
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[engine spluttering]
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[Eivin] No vehicle could
get to him. No ambulance
could get to him.
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00:02:17,738 --> 00:02:20,939
Another thing I knew
for certain was there is
no way
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00:02:21,041 --> 00:02:23,142
we could get a helicopter
out there.
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I've worked in the emergency
field enough to know
when helicopters can fly,
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00:02:26,947 --> 00:02:30,716
and when you can use them
as resource, and I know
when you absolutely cannot.
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So, all I am really thinkin
of is how are we gonna get
him out of here,
37
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and is he gonna survive
long enough to get him
to the hospital.
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When I finally got to my dad
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I knew this was
a life-threatening injury.
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[machines beeping]
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[Eivin] Where my dad
got injured was basically
as far away
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00:02:52,606 --> 00:02:58,410
on the road system
as you can possibly get
from a hospital in Alaska.
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00:02:58,412 --> 00:03:01,813
And so, it was probably like
an hour and a half
after it happened,
44
00:03:01,815 --> 00:03:04,616
before an ambulance
or paramedics could get there.
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00:03:04,618 --> 00:03:06,652
[siren wailing]
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00:03:06,720 --> 00:03:10,155
[Eivin] When the paramedics
did arrive, my dad was
way too injured
47
00:03:10,224 --> 00:03:13,425
to be able to be taken out
by any ATV or anything.
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With their help,
we literally had to carry hi
for over a 100 years,
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00:03:17,631 --> 00:03:20,499
on an extremely steep,
slippery slope,
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-and wide-out snow condition
-[man] Here we go.
51
00:03:23,403 --> 00:03:27,739
[indistinct chatter]
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00:03:27,808 --> 00:03:30,842
[Eivin] It took us a good
hour to a hour and a half
to get him out of there
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00:03:30,911 --> 00:03:33,312
to the pick-up truck
so that we could load him
into the back of.
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[man 1 speaking]
55
00:03:35,049 --> 00:03:36,682
[man 2 speaking]
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[Eivin] We had to load
my dad in the back
of the pick-up truck
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because an ambulance
can't get up the road
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as it's too slippery to drive
it up the steep road
without chains.
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00:03:47,795 --> 00:03:50,229
There's chains on the truck
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00:03:50,231 --> 00:03:56,134
Once we got him in the truck
it was a good 20 minute driv
in white-out conditions
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00:03:56,236 --> 00:03:58,537
before we actually got him
in the ambulance.
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00:04:00,708 --> 00:04:02,808
[indistinct chatter]
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00:04:10,751 --> 00:04:11,516
[door closes]
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[door closes]
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[slow music playing]
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-[Eivin] He's too critical.
Just too critical.
-[August] Too critical. Yeah.
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00:04:28,602 --> 00:04:31,737
And, you know, I think
that's what they are saying.
They're just...
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00:04:31,838 --> 00:04:34,840
You know they don't have
a... They don't have
a cardiothoracic surgeon
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00:04:34,941 --> 00:04:36,408
here in Homer.
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00:04:36,410 --> 00:04:38,944
And they just want to get him
to, like, a trauma center
in Anchorage.
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[August]
At this point, we don't kno
if dad is going to make it.
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00:04:43,517 --> 00:04:47,552
Quite frankly, he's had
injuries before, but nothing
this severe.
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00:04:49,757 --> 00:04:53,358
I don't even know
how to process what
I am feeling right now.
74
00:04:53,460 --> 00:04:56,828
I am scared. I am sad.
I am angry.
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00:04:56,830 --> 00:04:58,530
I am... [sighs]
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00:04:58,532 --> 00:05:01,900
[pensive music playing]
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I don't know.
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00:05:04,605 --> 00:05:06,738
-[sighs wearily]
-That's so screwed-up.
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00:05:06,840 --> 00:05:08,506
-So...
-So screwed up.
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00:05:08,508 --> 00:05:11,043
[August] At this point now,
I feel like it's just
a waiting game.
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00:05:11,111 --> 00:05:13,312
It's not that long
till first light
at this point.
82
00:05:13,314 --> 00:05:15,914
-And hopefully the helicopter
shows up soon.
-Yeah.
83
00:05:20,321 --> 00:05:22,354
[suspenseful music playing]
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00:05:22,456 --> 00:05:25,657
[Eivin] We see our parents
is just like a beacon
of strength in our lives,
85
00:05:25,759 --> 00:05:27,859
you know. This, this, this
kind of person
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00:05:27,928 --> 00:05:30,862
that's always stronger
and always there and stuff,
and...
87
00:05:30,931 --> 00:05:34,700
Seeing your dad
so laid-up and devastated
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00:05:34,702 --> 00:05:38,704
really makes you realize,
kind of, their fragility,
and um...
89
00:05:39,573 --> 00:05:41,707
It's, um, it's a scary thing.
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00:05:41,709 --> 00:05:43,342
[wind howling]
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00:05:43,410 --> 00:05:44,409
[man] You okay down there?
92
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[indistinct chatter]
93
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[helicopter hovering]
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[Eivin] I know that right no
it's gonna be kind of
saying goodbye,
95
00:06:00,761 --> 00:06:02,561
for I don't even know
how long.
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00:06:02,629 --> 00:06:05,397
There's definitely
this feeling, you know,
wondering whether or not
97
00:06:05,399 --> 00:06:07,499
I'm ever gonna
see him alive again,
98
00:06:07,501 --> 00:06:10,936
which by in itself
is a little bit
of a scary concept
99
00:06:10,938 --> 00:06:14,339
because we can't go see him
in the Anchorage hospital
because of COVID,
100
00:06:14,408 --> 00:06:20,045
and um, so it's just,
you know, kind of saying
goodbye,
101
00:06:20,047 --> 00:06:22,514
saying your prayers
and hoping for the best.
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[helicopter hovering]
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[pensive music playing]
104
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-[Charlotte] Hey, hun.
Oh, nice you got the wood in.
-[August] Hey.
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00:06:39,800 --> 00:06:41,466
Yeah, a little bit more.
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[Charlotte] I really haven'
heard a lot on how he is doi
right now.
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00:06:47,408 --> 00:06:50,041
I am just, kind of freaked
out, trying to stay busy.
108
00:06:53,814 --> 00:06:57,315
We made it back
from the Homer hospital
a few hours ago.
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00:06:57,317 --> 00:06:59,418
And, I tracked down a nurse,
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00:06:59,420 --> 00:07:01,620
who told me that Otto made it
to Anchorage,
111
00:07:01,622 --> 00:07:04,856
and he is prepped for surgery,
but we haven't heard anything
since.
112
00:07:05,426 --> 00:07:06,925
[knock on door]
113
00:07:06,927 --> 00:07:07,959
-Come in.
-Oh.
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00:07:08,028 --> 00:07:09,694
-[Eivin] Hey.
-Oh, hey, Eivin.
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00:07:09,696 --> 00:07:14,699
I am absolutely terrified
and worried sick
about what's going on.
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00:07:14,701 --> 00:07:19,104
And outside of knowing
that he has been crushed
by a cow,
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I don't even know
what happened.
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What an ordeal.
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00:07:21,508 --> 00:07:23,809
That was so crazy,
getting that text,
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00:07:23,811 --> 00:07:28,046
It was just, um, uh,
I heard that Otto's been hurt.
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-And they're going
to the hospital.
-[Eivin] Mm-hmm.
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00:07:30,717 --> 00:07:33,051
And so to me, like,
what does that even mean,
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00:07:33,120 --> 00:07:35,320
like, oh, he is getting
a couple of stitches.
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Well, yeah that's when
I called you.
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00:07:37,224 --> 00:07:39,825
-And then, yeah, and then--
-[Eivin] 'Cause Chris
had gotten a hold of me,
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00:07:39,827 --> 00:07:41,493
and he was like,
he told me, Otto is hurt,
127
00:07:41,495 --> 00:07:44,629
you know,
bottom of the switch backs,
and I was like, holy crap.
128
00:07:44,631 --> 00:07:48,133
My dad had been trying
to get Chris Rainwater's cows
out of the head of the bay
129
00:07:48,202 --> 00:07:50,635
for, you know, about a month.
130
00:07:50,737 --> 00:07:52,904
And this was the last day.
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00:07:52,906 --> 00:07:54,773
[man] How long you've been
on this project?
132
00:07:54,775 --> 00:07:58,043
I think today might be
the thirty-first day
133
00:07:58,045 --> 00:08:01,112
at the end--
of the 31 day project.
134
00:08:01,114 --> 00:08:04,115
[Eivin] I can't believe
this, like, is how
it kind of ended.
135
00:08:04,117 --> 00:08:06,718
It sounds like
this was the last push
of getting those cows up.
136
00:08:06,720 --> 00:08:08,753
He has been going
after it for, like,
a month now.
137
00:08:08,855 --> 00:08:12,057
You know, none of them
were dad's cows. They were all
Chris Rainwater's cows.
138
00:08:12,125 --> 00:08:14,226
A lot of them were born
at the head of the bay,
139
00:08:14,228 --> 00:08:16,561
and so they-- Probably
some of these cows
have never interacted
140
00:08:16,630 --> 00:08:18,296
-with people before.
-[Charlotte] Yeah.
141
00:08:18,298 --> 00:08:21,500
I know that when I went
up there, like some of those
cows were so crazy,
142
00:08:21,502 --> 00:08:24,803
-and they were like,
most difficult cows.
-Yeah.
143
00:08:24,805 --> 00:08:27,472
[Eivin] They are all
very wild cows.
They are not very tame.
144
00:08:27,474 --> 00:08:30,742
And my dad just got
downhill to the main cow.
145
00:08:30,777 --> 00:08:34,012
You know this cow
that had just really had
a vendetta out,
146
00:08:34,014 --> 00:08:38,216
basically just came at him,
rammed him in the chest
with its head,
147
00:08:38,218 --> 00:08:42,053
knocked my dad backwards,
he slipped,
fell on a big alder stump.
148
00:08:42,122 --> 00:08:45,056
The cow came out
on a second time
and rammed him again.
149
00:08:45,158 --> 00:08:49,227
And then the cow slipped,
and rolled over the top
of my dad with a stump
150
00:08:49,229 --> 00:08:54,499
underneath of them.
And that just absolutely
just shattered his rib cage.
151
00:08:54,501 --> 00:08:56,301
And that's when I called
you to find out if you knew,
152
00:08:56,303 --> 00:08:58,003
and you were like
thinking about going
to the hospital.
153
00:08:58,005 --> 00:08:59,971
And I was like no.
We just---
We gotta go out there.
154
00:08:59,973 --> 00:09:01,539
-Mm-hmm.
-[Eivin] Because at that point
155
00:09:01,541 --> 00:09:03,842
I was still thinking
like are we gonna have time
to say goodbye?
156
00:09:04,211 --> 00:09:05,110
[August] Yeah.
157
00:09:05,112 --> 00:09:07,012
[pensive music playing]
158
00:09:07,014 --> 00:09:09,548
[Eivin] When I saw my dad
laying on the ground,
I was basically just like..
159
00:09:11,351 --> 00:09:15,954
I didn't know if I was gonn
get to see him again,
160
00:09:15,956 --> 00:09:19,724
you know. I just wanted
to tell him that I loved him,
you know,
161
00:09:19,726 --> 00:09:22,127
and I bent down
and I kissed him on the cheek
162
00:09:22,129 --> 00:09:26,097
and I said,
Dad, you're good.
You are good.
163
00:09:26,099 --> 00:09:28,800
And you--
I love you, you know.
164
00:09:28,802 --> 00:09:30,502
You're loved
and you have done good.
165
00:09:31,204 --> 00:09:32,304
You're a good person.
166
00:09:45,519 --> 00:09:49,054
[pensive music playing]
167
00:09:49,957 --> 00:09:51,189
[August] Well...
168
00:09:52,426 --> 00:09:55,727
I think we should
probably get our minds
off of it.
169
00:09:55,795 --> 00:09:58,730
In the meantime,
there are still a lot of
things that we have to do.
170
00:09:58,832 --> 00:10:01,499
[Charlotte] I think
the last thing that any of u
want to do right now,
171
00:10:01,501 --> 00:10:03,301
is go out and work
the homestead,
172
00:10:03,303 --> 00:10:06,871
when we don't even know
what's going on
with Otto's surgery.
173
00:10:06,873 --> 00:10:10,241
But we can't be
at the hospital
because of COVID right now,
174
00:10:10,343 --> 00:10:13,511
and we have living animals
here that need us too.
175
00:10:13,513 --> 00:10:16,448
Cows don't stop eating food,
no matter what,
176
00:10:16,516 --> 00:10:19,050
and we've got pregnant mommas
that are about to give birth.
177
00:10:19,052 --> 00:10:22,053
-We had the roof blow off
of that birthing shed.
-Right.
178
00:10:22,055 --> 00:10:25,624
And then, um, we were planning
on putting the roof back on,
179
00:10:25,626 --> 00:10:28,293
and then Otto got so busy
with those crazy cows.
180
00:10:28,295 --> 00:10:30,128
Yeah, well there is that...
[sighs]
181
00:10:30,130 --> 00:10:32,497
...stable thing
that Brian and I
built a couple of years ago.
182
00:10:32,499 --> 00:10:35,033
It's just like on metal skids.
So it drags around
pretty easily.
183
00:10:35,135 --> 00:10:36,701
I could probably drag it
over here.
184
00:10:36,770 --> 00:10:38,403
That'd be amazing. Yeah.
185
00:10:38,405 --> 00:10:41,806
[August] It's been
a very cold winter.
Lots of snow.
186
00:10:41,808 --> 00:10:44,776
And not only that
but high winds.
It's been pretty stormy.
187
00:10:44,778 --> 00:10:46,778
-And so that actually blew...
-[thunder rumbles]
188
00:10:46,780 --> 00:10:48,980
...the top of where we usual
have calves,
189
00:10:48,982 --> 00:10:53,018
in our, uh, skin shed,
blew the roof just straight
off of it.
190
00:10:53,020 --> 00:10:57,389
And so that is no longer
a good shelter for us
to have calves.
191
00:10:57,391 --> 00:11:01,059
And we definitely don't want
any of dad's cows to die.
192
00:11:01,161 --> 00:11:04,629
That would just,
at this point,
be tragedy upon tragedy.
193
00:11:05,132 --> 00:11:06,665
[machine whirring]
194
00:11:06,667 --> 00:11:09,300
These long forks
are frozen in, Charlotte.
195
00:11:09,302 --> 00:11:12,237
-[Charlotte] Oh.
-So, I am gonna try
to heat them up for a while.
196
00:11:15,909 --> 00:11:17,609
Hopefully, we can pop it out.
197
00:11:19,413 --> 00:11:22,881
First thing we have to do
before I bring the shed ove
is clear the road.
198
00:11:22,883 --> 00:11:26,017
I kind of forgot
that dad's been gone
for almost a month.
199
00:11:26,019 --> 00:11:29,654
And without him here,
there's so many things
that are frozen to the groun
200
00:11:29,656 --> 00:11:33,958
Equipment, and shed parts,
and so that's making it hard
to deal with.
201
00:11:33,960 --> 00:11:37,762
This is in the way of progress
as I like to say.
202
00:11:37,764 --> 00:11:39,898
-And it's frozen.
-We need to move the barn
in here.
203
00:11:39,900 --> 00:11:42,901
And that's our progress today.
It's totally frozen.
204
00:11:43,670 --> 00:11:46,738
So, we are gonna heat it up.
205
00:11:46,740 --> 00:11:50,442
There's a ton of tasks
that need to be done to kee
this homestead running.
206
00:11:50,510 --> 00:11:52,410
And trying to figure out
how to move forward
207
00:11:52,412 --> 00:11:55,246
is really,
really overwhelming.
208
00:11:55,248 --> 00:11:59,517
But since my dad isn't here
to do it, I need to help out
August can help out.
209
00:11:59,519 --> 00:12:02,053
And we can, kind of, help
to take care
of this homestead.
210
00:12:02,155 --> 00:12:04,522
Gonna let this thing
do its thing here
for a little while.
211
00:12:05,759 --> 00:12:07,258
At this point,
I really don't know
212
00:12:07,260 --> 00:12:10,028
what my dad's current
condition is until they upda
us.
213
00:12:10,030 --> 00:12:13,865
They're not that good
about updating us
about his situation.
214
00:12:13,867 --> 00:12:16,668
-Yeah, now it'll move the tin.
-[August] Mm-hmm.
215
00:12:18,138 --> 00:12:20,105
[Eivin] I feel like
Charlotte keeps trying
to call,
216
00:12:20,107 --> 00:12:21,906
which is very worrisome,
you know,
217
00:12:21,908 --> 00:12:25,043
to not be, uh, to not be
in kind of any contact
with somebody
218
00:12:25,145 --> 00:12:29,714
um, that knows what's going on
like, you know, on a,
on a minute by minute basis.
219
00:12:29,816 --> 00:12:31,416
Hang on. Stop. Stop!
220
00:12:32,886 --> 00:12:33,618
There you go.
221
00:12:34,821 --> 00:12:36,321
Oh, yeah. I can do that.
222
00:12:36,323 --> 00:12:40,892
I have so many ladies here
just ready to have
their calves.
223
00:12:40,894 --> 00:12:46,498
[August] There's been--
A couple of years past wher
there's been a calf a day
224
00:12:46,500 --> 00:12:49,701
for, like, a week or so
at a time.
225
00:12:49,803 --> 00:12:50,668
-[Otto] Breathe.
-[cow moos]
226
00:12:52,405 --> 00:12:53,605
-[Otto] Breathe.
-[cow moos]
227
00:12:53,706 --> 00:12:54,973
[August] It is hectic.
228
00:12:54,975 --> 00:12:56,875
-[Otto] Okay.
-[cow moos]
229
00:12:56,877 --> 00:13:00,812
[August]
And if you are not prepared
for it, you are behind,
230
00:13:00,814 --> 00:13:02,981
especially with my dad
not here to help.
231
00:13:05,118 --> 00:13:06,251
There's no heartbeat.
232
00:13:07,320 --> 00:13:09,053
[August] There's a lot
that could go wrong.
233
00:13:09,055 --> 00:13:12,557
[panting]
I don't think so, honey.
I don't think so.
234
00:13:13,126 --> 00:13:14,726
That's a happy birthday.
235
00:13:16,029 --> 00:13:17,896
Really we're just praying
that they don't.
236
00:13:19,633 --> 00:13:21,933
[heavy machine whirring]
237
00:13:21,935 --> 00:13:23,968
-We got it.
-Nice.
238
00:13:26,206 --> 00:13:29,374
[Charlotte] Just anybody
going into surgery is scary
239
00:13:29,376 --> 00:13:33,044
when they are a loved one,
and you just worry
about the outcome,
240
00:13:33,079 --> 00:13:34,879
worry that they'll be okay.
241
00:13:36,783 --> 00:13:39,517
The boys are...
are rallying.
242
00:13:39,519 --> 00:13:42,954
They're trying to help
as much as humanly possible
243
00:13:42,956 --> 00:13:44,322
[wheels squeaking]
244
00:13:48,528 --> 00:13:49,727
[sniffles]
245
00:13:52,999 --> 00:13:54,332
[exhales]
246
00:13:58,905 --> 00:14:02,040
I'm sorry. This is just...
This is a lot right now.
247
00:14:03,510 --> 00:14:05,844
Otto and I have been
married for 30 years
248
00:14:05,846 --> 00:14:08,713
and I just can't imagine
life without him.
249
00:14:10,917 --> 00:14:12,817
I miss him.
250
00:14:12,886 --> 00:14:14,986
It's like he's a million
miles away
251
00:14:14,988 --> 00:14:16,821
and he's broken into pieces
252
00:14:16,890 --> 00:14:19,324
and I can't be by his side
253
00:14:19,326 --> 00:14:20,992
and I just miss him.
254
00:14:20,994 --> 00:14:23,228
[sighing] All right,
we got that unstuck.
255
00:14:33,240 --> 00:14:36,341
[Eve] It's kind of a dreary
day out
256
00:14:36,442 --> 00:14:41,546
and Eivin is over...
working on... [clicks tongue]
257
00:14:41,648 --> 00:14:44,949
[sighs wearily] He's trying
to get everything dialed in
258
00:14:44,951 --> 00:14:48,119
for Charlotte.
259
00:14:48,121 --> 00:14:50,421
I think everyone's been
having a really hard time
260
00:14:50,423 --> 00:14:53,524
because there hasn't been
any word from the hospital
261
00:14:53,526 --> 00:14:55,093
on Otto's condition.
262
00:14:55,095 --> 00:14:57,729
That is ready to be
brought over now.
263
00:14:57,731 --> 00:14:59,297
I'm trying not to think
about it too much
264
00:14:59,299 --> 00:15:01,232
'cause it's really
overwhelming.
265
00:15:01,301 --> 00:15:04,202
So I'm just focusing
on fixing food
266
00:15:04,204 --> 00:15:06,504
and making sure everyone
has something to eat,
267
00:15:06,506 --> 00:15:08,940
so we can all feel
a little better.
268
00:15:08,942 --> 00:15:12,343
-[Eve] I made enchiladas
for you guys.
-Gosh, thank you. I gotta--
269
00:15:12,412 --> 00:15:16,047
Non... non-spicy, so they just
need to be baked.
270
00:15:16,049 --> 00:15:17,515
Thank you, Eve.
271
00:15:17,517 --> 00:15:19,951
I'm trying to catch
the snowflake.
272
00:15:19,953 --> 00:15:23,421
-Are you? Did you help
make this, you guys?
-[Eve] They did.
273
00:15:25,125 --> 00:15:30,228
It's been hard and, um,
but, like, so beautiful
274
00:15:30,230 --> 00:15:33,364
and illuminating to, like,
how we need to appreciate
each other.
275
00:15:33,433 --> 00:15:35,233
-...so much.
-Yeah.
276
00:15:35,335 --> 00:15:39,604
[Eve] And with Otto, as muc
as I curse him sometimes...
277
00:15:39,706 --> 00:15:42,707
[chuckling] ...'cause he ca
make things difficult,
278
00:15:42,709 --> 00:15:48,346
in the end, he's just
so incredible of a human.
279
00:15:48,414 --> 00:15:51,115
-[Charlotte] Hey. guys.
-Look at that.
280
00:15:51,117 --> 00:15:53,318
[Eve] And grandfather
and father.
281
00:15:53,320 --> 00:15:55,119
-[Otto laughs]
-Good job.
282
00:15:55,121 --> 00:15:57,322
Yee-haw!
283
00:15:57,324 --> 00:16:01,693
We love him dearly
and we're not ready
to say goodbye.
284
00:16:01,695 --> 00:16:04,595
Let's go say, "Hi," to Daddy.
285
00:16:04,597 --> 00:16:07,899
Eve is just... and the kids...
they're just adorable,
286
00:16:07,901 --> 00:16:11,302
like, making us some
beautiful meals.
287
00:16:11,304 --> 00:16:15,106
[indistinct chatter]
288
00:16:15,108 --> 00:16:18,509
And, uh, anyway, it's...
289
00:16:18,511 --> 00:16:22,013
It's just amazing to have
the family's help right now.
290
00:16:23,116 --> 00:16:24,983
[Eve] You getting ready
to bring the shed over?
291
00:16:24,985 --> 00:16:27,352
[Eivin] Yeah, I... I wanted
to get some dirt
292
00:16:27,420 --> 00:16:31,422
to put there,
but I couldn't get up the hill
with it, so I didn't.
293
00:16:31,424 --> 00:16:33,791
-[dog barks distantly]
-[Eve] I'm sure
they'll be fine.
294
00:16:33,793 --> 00:16:36,427
I'm gonna go get
this thing and drag it in.
295
00:16:39,132 --> 00:16:42,934
[August] I'm gonna head out
and help Eivin finish
pulling the shed.
296
00:16:42,936 --> 00:16:45,703
Would you check
on Simi and Twisted...
297
00:16:45,805 --> 00:16:47,238
-with their, uh...
-Yeah.
298
00:16:47,974 --> 00:16:49,807
...pregnancies?
299
00:16:49,809 --> 00:16:51,776
I'll make to check up
on those...
300
00:16:51,778 --> 00:16:54,178
-on those ladies.
-[Charlotte] Okay, thanks.
301
00:16:54,180 --> 00:16:56,114
-[cell phone ringing]
-Oh.
302
00:17:00,320 --> 00:17:01,719
Unknown number.
303
00:17:03,423 --> 00:17:04,622
Hello?
304
00:17:05,425 --> 00:17:06,791
Yeah, this is August.
305
00:17:09,062 --> 00:17:10,461
Okay.
306
00:17:15,201 --> 00:17:17,435
[Charlotte] When August said
it was the hospital calling,
307
00:17:17,537 --> 00:17:20,104
I literally felt my heart
jump out of my chest.
308
00:17:21,207 --> 00:17:23,041
Please be good news.
I'm begging.
309
00:17:23,043 --> 00:17:25,209
Please be good news.
310
00:17:36,456 --> 00:17:38,890
[August] We've been waiting
to hear from the hospital
311
00:17:38,892 --> 00:17:42,360
for about five or six hours
now, just to know
312
00:17:42,429 --> 00:17:45,730
if Dad is going to...
even make it
313
00:17:45,832 --> 00:17:49,000
through the surgery and, quite
frankly, it's been agony.
314
00:17:51,704 --> 00:17:52,970
Uh...
315
00:17:55,108 --> 00:17:56,207
Oh, he is?
316
00:17:58,211 --> 00:18:00,545
[exhales] All right.
317
00:18:00,613 --> 00:18:03,114
Thank you so much. Thank you
so much for letting us know.
318
00:18:03,116 --> 00:18:04,982
I know that you've got
a lot on your plate,
319
00:18:04,984 --> 00:18:07,618
but, um, thank you
so much for the call.
320
00:18:07,720 --> 00:18:09,921
Um, have a good day. Bye.
321
00:18:11,124 --> 00:18:13,357
-What did they say?
-Uh...
322
00:18:13,459 --> 00:18:17,128
Surgery is done.
He is out of the woods.
323
00:18:17,130 --> 00:18:18,796
Okay.
324
00:18:18,798 --> 00:18:22,100
But recovery is gonna have
to probably be a lot of time.
325
00:18:22,102 --> 00:18:25,336
And to start thinking
about ways that we can
326
00:18:25,405 --> 00:18:28,072
set him up here
as best as we can.
327
00:18:29,609 --> 00:18:32,343
-But right now he's out
of the surgery? Okay.
-But he's out. He's out.
328
00:18:32,445 --> 00:18:34,512
-He's out.
-Okay, at least,
there is that.
329
00:18:34,514 --> 00:18:35,713
Yeah.
330
00:18:35,715 --> 00:18:38,316
[Charlotte] What a huge
sigh of relief.
331
00:18:38,318 --> 00:18:39,884
He's obviously gonna
have to spend
332
00:18:39,886 --> 00:18:41,419
a few more days
in the hospital,
333
00:18:41,421 --> 00:18:43,721
but now, at least,
we can breathe easier
334
00:18:43,723 --> 00:18:45,423
knowing that he's gonna
be okay.
335
00:18:45,425 --> 00:18:46,791
We're gonna get him back.
336
00:18:47,427 --> 00:18:48,993
And that's such good news.
337
00:18:50,630 --> 00:18:53,397
[August] Thanks for getting
this shed up and out
of the hill.
338
00:18:53,399 --> 00:18:54,866
You've gotta get it
out of your place?
339
00:18:54,868 --> 00:18:57,502
[Eivin] I don't need it since
I built my barn
340
00:18:58,104 --> 00:18:59,871
I don't need this shed
341
00:18:59,873 --> 00:19:01,239
-over at my house. It's not...
-Yeah.
342
00:19:01,307 --> 00:19:03,307
-I'm not using it
for anything.
-Yeah.
343
00:19:03,309 --> 00:19:04,976
All right.
344
00:19:04,978 --> 00:19:06,978
[Eivin] I'm so glad my dad
made it out of surgery.
345
00:19:06,980 --> 00:19:09,747
We've had a lot of accident
on the homestead before,
346
00:19:09,749 --> 00:19:12,817
but I feel like this
is definitely the worst.
347
00:19:12,819 --> 00:19:14,952
I was trying not to,
but there was definitely
348
00:19:14,954 --> 00:19:16,921
that kind of voice
in the back of my head,
349
00:19:16,923 --> 00:19:19,624
looking at everything
that needs to be done
on the homestead, saying,
350
00:19:19,626 --> 00:19:22,226
"What's it gonna be like
if he's not around."
351
00:19:28,001 --> 00:19:30,034
[August] Skids are nice,
especially when your world
352
00:19:30,036 --> 00:19:31,702
is dominated by snow.
353
00:19:33,506 --> 00:19:36,807
Why not just take your
outbuilding out for a ski?
354
00:19:36,909 --> 00:19:39,143
Convenience at its finest.
355
00:19:39,212 --> 00:19:41,145
So much bigger than I thought.
356
00:19:42,382 --> 00:19:45,216
Whoo-hoo! [chuckles]
357
00:19:46,953 --> 00:19:49,353
-I cannot tell you how
happy that makes me...
-Yeah.
358
00:19:49,455 --> 00:19:51,422
...because I've got
a couple of cows down there
359
00:19:51,424 --> 00:19:53,224
that are close
to having babies
360
00:19:53,226 --> 00:19:56,527
and I was just like,
"Ah, we have no roof
over their head."
361
00:19:56,529 --> 00:19:58,429
-Eivin, thank you.
-Yeah, you're welcome.
362
00:19:58,431 --> 00:19:59,997
-That is so exciting.
-You're welcome.
363
00:19:59,999 --> 00:20:01,299
Oh, that makes my day.
364
00:20:01,301 --> 00:20:03,201
That's gonna save
some calf lives.
365
00:20:03,203 --> 00:20:04,235
[cow lowing]
366
00:20:12,512 --> 00:20:13,544
[Atz Lee] A white patch.
367
00:20:13,613 --> 00:20:15,780
Wow, look at that.
368
00:20:15,782 --> 00:20:17,915
Spread out, man
369
00:20:19,052 --> 00:20:20,952
[Atz Lee] When we heard
about Otto's injury
370
00:20:20,954 --> 00:20:22,620
and that he had to get
airlifted to Anchorage
371
00:20:22,622 --> 00:20:24,722
obviously it was
a serious situation.
372
00:20:24,824 --> 00:20:26,724
and as much as my dad
was affected
373
00:20:26,826 --> 00:20:29,327
by his only brother having
such a bad accident...
374
00:20:29,329 --> 00:20:31,062
same time there's work to done
on the homestead
375
00:20:31,064 --> 00:20:32,363
and you just gotta
keep pushing on.
376
00:20:32,432 --> 00:20:34,265
-We got the football
field cleared.
-Mmm-hmm.
377
00:20:34,300 --> 00:20:37,001
-Wow.
-Ready for the summer season.
378
00:20:37,003 --> 00:20:39,904
-I mean,
these hummocks were...
-...massive.
379
00:20:39,906 --> 00:20:42,306
[Atz] Anyone that's been
raised around cows or horse
380
00:20:42,308 --> 00:20:44,542
knows that there can be
serious accidents
381
00:20:44,544 --> 00:20:46,711
but when you get older,
it gets more serious, so...
382
00:20:47,847 --> 00:20:50,348
for Otto to be on hard ground,
hard ice
383
00:20:50,449 --> 00:20:53,918
up against an alder,
rolled over, uh...
384
00:20:53,920 --> 00:20:56,120
and being a little older
and more fragile
385
00:20:56,122 --> 00:20:57,622
and bones are little
more brittle...
386
00:20:57,690 --> 00:21:00,057
It's serious stuff and,
uh, everybody
387
00:21:00,059 --> 00:21:03,794
faces aging. Everybody faces
death and...
and things change.
388
00:21:04,697 --> 00:21:06,998
It makes you get serious abo
389
00:21:07,000 --> 00:21:08,499
what you're doing
with your life
390
00:21:08,501 --> 00:21:09,867
and... and where it's headed
391
00:21:10,303 --> 00:21:11,769
[exhales]
392
00:21:15,208 --> 00:21:18,142
This is the place Atz Lee
said I could build.
393
00:21:18,211 --> 00:21:21,012
It's, uh, out of view of...
394
00:21:21,814 --> 00:21:23,314
-you guys' house.
-Mmm-hmm.
395
00:21:23,316 --> 00:21:27,051
You get a little shot
of the bear-hunting mountains.
396
00:21:27,053 --> 00:21:28,452
[Atz Lee] Even before
Otto's accident,
397
00:21:28,521 --> 00:21:31,722
we had planned to build
a retirement cabin for my da
398
00:21:31,724 --> 00:21:33,691
[Atz] They're all
off the ground,
they're all straight
399
00:21:33,693 --> 00:21:37,194
and they're all
manageable size.
It's pretty exciting, Lee.
400
00:21:37,196 --> 00:21:40,631
[Atz Lee] You know,
my dad is pushing 74,
I think, this year
401
00:21:40,700 --> 00:21:41,866
and he loves building cabins
402
00:21:41,868 --> 00:21:44,101
He's been non-stop building
cabins for years.
403
00:21:44,103 --> 00:21:46,904
Every and anything he can fi
to get his hands into,
404
00:21:46,906 --> 00:21:49,807
but his age finally has
started to catch up with him
405
00:21:49,809 --> 00:21:52,209
He had the hernia,
he had a cancer scare
406
00:21:52,211 --> 00:21:55,413
so, um, I thought, if I can
get this one last cabin
407
00:21:55,415 --> 00:21:57,915
done for him,
he'll be close by
408
00:21:57,917 --> 00:22:00,251
and it'll be a great place
for him to just come out,
409
00:22:00,353 --> 00:22:02,186
start a fire, hang up his hat
410
00:22:02,188 --> 00:22:03,888
and enjoy his elder years.
411
00:22:03,890 --> 00:22:05,456
[Atz] It's a lot of cabin,
man.
412
00:22:05,558 --> 00:22:08,559
-The question is, is when
it will become a lot of cabin.
-Yeah.
413
00:22:09,696 --> 00:22:12,830
[Atz] I planned to start
building early spring,
414
00:22:12,832 --> 00:22:15,232
but while I was out
shoveling snow
415
00:22:15,334 --> 00:22:16,867
and I hit a chunk of ice,
416
00:22:16,869 --> 00:22:19,804
and I tried to shove
through it the way
I always have
417
00:22:19,806 --> 00:22:21,439
but I jammed my shoulder.
418
00:22:23,242 --> 00:22:25,343
After two or three hours...
it was just screaming
419
00:22:25,444 --> 00:22:28,245
and saw a doctor, got an MRI,
420
00:22:28,815 --> 00:22:30,748
X-rays, both,
421
00:22:30,750 --> 00:22:33,617
and, um, you know, they told
me there's shoulder damage
422
00:22:33,619 --> 00:22:36,120
so, "Okay,
what am I gonna do?"
423
00:22:37,156 --> 00:22:40,624
I needed to get
major shoulder surgery.
424
00:22:40,626 --> 00:22:42,259
It's coming to grips
with a lot of things.
425
00:22:42,328 --> 00:22:44,929
Getting older... I've shoveled
snow all my life.
426
00:22:44,931 --> 00:22:46,797
Hit ice? Just plow through it.
427
00:22:46,799 --> 00:22:50,401
Now I plow through it,
and you know, "Oh,
I can't do that anymore."
428
00:22:50,403 --> 00:22:53,037
Otto got his ribs broken.
429
00:22:53,039 --> 00:22:56,107
Maybe if he'd been
30, even 40,
430
00:22:56,109 --> 00:22:58,709
they just would've bent
instead of broke, who knows?
431
00:22:59,412 --> 00:23:02,146
So it's... it's reality.
432
00:23:02,215 --> 00:23:05,116
[Atz Lee] Homestead has see
its fair share of trauma
through the years
433
00:23:05,118 --> 00:23:07,485
and, uh, Otto, my dad...
they're in that...
434
00:23:07,487 --> 00:23:09,153
phase in their life where
they're starting to actuall
435
00:23:09,255 --> 00:23:11,822
come to terms with...
not gonna be here forever.
436
00:23:13,059 --> 00:23:16,627
Kilcher generations have
carried on five deep now
437
00:23:16,629 --> 00:23:18,429
on the homestead.
438
00:23:18,431 --> 00:23:20,564
Will it go on? Will it exist
439
00:23:20,600 --> 00:23:23,868
Hopefully, Etienne and Augus
and that next generation
440
00:23:23,870 --> 00:23:25,803
will want to stick around,
you know.
441
00:23:25,905 --> 00:23:28,906
It just takes a couple
of people to keep
the torch going.
442
00:23:28,908 --> 00:23:31,142
But honestly,
you don't know how long
443
00:23:31,243 --> 00:23:32,710
the Kilcher legacy
is gonna go.
444
00:23:32,779 --> 00:23:35,112
And I'm not sure
if this lifestyle
445
00:23:35,114 --> 00:23:37,348
is really what they want.
446
00:23:37,417 --> 00:23:38,615
But the good news is, Dad,
447
00:23:38,617 --> 00:23:39,950
even though you're not gonna
be able to use your arm
448
00:23:39,952 --> 00:23:41,218
you're still gonna be able
to build a cabin
449
00:23:41,220 --> 00:23:43,320
and all you're gonna
have to do is just point.
450
00:23:43,322 --> 00:23:44,522
[Atz chuckling] Yeah.
451
00:24:09,215 --> 00:24:11,348
[Eivin] My dad is getting out
of the hospital today
452
00:24:11,450 --> 00:24:15,052
and it's, um, definitely
a little bit surreal.
453
00:24:15,054 --> 00:24:18,322
I think it's gonna be a majo
relief for him to come home
454
00:24:18,324 --> 00:24:20,524
and, uh, be with family
rather than being alone
455
00:24:20,526 --> 00:24:22,026
in the hospital for so long.
456
00:24:39,512 --> 00:24:42,513
At this point, my dad, uh,
his condition has improved.
457
00:24:42,515 --> 00:24:44,114
You just need to come
back a little bit.
458
00:24:45,685 --> 00:24:47,117
He had surgery.
459
00:24:47,119 --> 00:24:49,220
They plated four ribs
460
00:24:50,456 --> 00:24:53,023
Ribs that were super crushed,
broken in multiple places.
461
00:24:53,993 --> 00:24:55,459
Just 'cause my dad
is out of the hospital
462
00:24:55,528 --> 00:24:57,628
doesn't mean he is totally
out of the woods.
463
00:24:57,696 --> 00:24:59,930
He has a lot of recovery to
464
00:24:59,932 --> 00:25:01,866
and the doctors say that he
really shouldn't do
465
00:25:01,868 --> 00:25:04,602
anything physical for
at least a few months.
466
00:25:04,604 --> 00:25:06,670
That cow really did
a number on you, man.
467
00:25:09,308 --> 00:25:10,374
[Eivin] Yeah.
468
00:25:12,311 --> 00:25:13,944
They kinda have him
put back together.
469
00:25:13,946 --> 00:25:15,679
I know he's in a lot
of pain,
470
00:25:15,681 --> 00:25:18,182
but now he's, kind of, aroun
to his recovery point
471
00:25:18,184 --> 00:25:20,351
where we can actually start
to give him better care
472
00:25:20,452 --> 00:25:22,920
and we can dote over him
and make sure that he's
473
00:25:22,922 --> 00:25:25,956
getting everything he needs
and he's surrounded
by loving family.
474
00:25:29,161 --> 00:25:31,061
It's about, uh,
a four-and-half-hour drive
475
00:25:31,063 --> 00:25:33,664
to Homer, you know,
we might take a bit
more time than that.
476
00:25:33,666 --> 00:25:36,200
so part of getting him
out of the hospital
477
00:25:36,202 --> 00:25:38,536
was making sure it was earl
enough in the day
478
00:25:38,604 --> 00:25:40,304
that I can drive
all the way to Homer
479
00:25:40,306 --> 00:25:41,805
and then still
get him there okay.
480
00:25:53,119 --> 00:25:54,718
Kilcher road!
481
00:25:59,559 --> 00:26:01,258
[dogs barking]
482
00:26:01,327 --> 00:26:06,297
-Welcome home, Grampotto!
-[Charlotte] Oh my God.
483
00:26:06,299 --> 00:26:08,032
Hello.
484
00:26:08,601 --> 00:26:10,668
We missed you.
485
00:26:10,670 --> 00:26:12,069
-I'm home.
-You're home. [chuckles]
486
00:26:12,905 --> 00:26:15,306
-August.
-Hello, there.
487
00:26:15,308 --> 00:26:16,140
Oh, man...
488
00:26:18,044 --> 00:26:19,710
[Charlotte] So sweet.
489
00:26:25,551 --> 00:26:28,252
-[Eivin] Don't start coughing,
you-- Your heart could...
-[Charlotte] Don't cough.
490
00:26:31,724 --> 00:26:33,190
[sobbing]
491
00:26:38,564 --> 00:26:42,099
[Eve] I think it's been quit
an emotional roller coaster
492
00:26:42,101 --> 00:26:44,802
for everybody.
493
00:26:44,903 --> 00:26:48,505
You know, we're never
ever ready to say goodbye
to our parents.
494
00:26:48,507 --> 00:26:52,309
And I just can't even fathom
what that would've been like
495
00:26:52,311 --> 00:26:54,945
to not have him anymore
496
00:26:54,947 --> 00:26:57,448
and not have Eivin have
him anymore. That, like...
497
00:26:58,618 --> 00:27:00,951
He's suffered so much
498
00:27:00,953 --> 00:27:04,722
just thinking of the idea
of that happening.
499
00:27:06,125 --> 00:27:09,627
It's so hard to watch
your partner
500
00:27:09,728 --> 00:27:13,030
suffer so deeply, um,
501
00:27:13,032 --> 00:27:17,501
so, yeah, I'm just, like,
so thankful...
502
00:27:17,503 --> 00:27:19,803
that is not what
we're dealing with right now.
503
00:27:19,805 --> 00:27:23,207
Otto is alive and he is
getting better.
504
00:27:23,209 --> 00:27:25,542
Wow, Otto, you're walking.
505
00:27:25,644 --> 00:27:27,378
-Thanks, you guys.
-You're welcome.
506
00:27:27,380 --> 00:27:30,614
We're going to leave you
with this bone broth
507
00:27:30,616 --> 00:27:34,251
-and these cards,
that you can read later.
-Oh, that's what we've been
508
00:27:34,320 --> 00:27:36,186
-looking forward to.
-Bye, love you.
509
00:27:36,188 --> 00:27:38,088
[indistinct chatter]
510
00:27:42,795 --> 00:27:44,662
You happy to be home?
511
00:27:44,664 --> 00:27:46,430
I'm just so emotional.
512
00:27:46,432 --> 00:27:47,931
Oh, sweetie.
513
00:27:47,933 --> 00:27:49,099
[August] Don't hug him
too tight.
514
00:27:49,101 --> 00:27:50,434
I know. I'm so scared
to hug you.
515
00:27:51,504 --> 00:27:52,670
So glad you're home.
516
00:27:52,672 --> 00:27:54,605
Oh, man.
517
00:27:54,607 --> 00:27:56,106
[Charlotte]
It's the best feeling
518
00:27:56,108 --> 00:27:58,876
in the world
to wrap my arms around Otto
519
00:27:58,878 --> 00:28:01,679
It was so depressing
when we didn't know
520
00:28:01,681 --> 00:28:03,547
kind of what direction
Otto was going in,
521
00:28:03,649 --> 00:28:05,816
and that was really hard.
522
00:28:05,918 --> 00:28:08,419
Those were
some scary times.
523
00:28:10,956 --> 00:28:13,624
I think I would just like to
lie down flat for
a little bit.
524
00:28:13,693 --> 00:28:15,426
[Eivin] Yeah.
We got a bed setup for you.
525
00:28:21,600 --> 00:28:23,500
[Otto exhaling]
Oh Lord.
526
00:28:23,502 --> 00:28:25,703
Do you like having
your own bed controller?
527
00:28:28,007 --> 00:28:29,807
I think he's going
to be spoilt.
528
00:28:31,077 --> 00:28:32,076
Okay.
529
00:28:34,447 --> 00:28:35,446
He's back.
530
00:28:36,148 --> 00:28:38,248
-Hi.
-Hi.
531
00:28:38,951 --> 00:28:40,317
It's good seeing you again.
532
00:28:40,920 --> 00:28:41,985
Love you lots.
533
00:28:43,923 --> 00:28:45,355
You got a lot of people
who care about you.
534
00:28:48,828 --> 00:28:51,528
[dogs barking]
535
00:28:59,238 --> 00:29:00,604
[Charlotte]
Morning, sweetie.
536
00:29:00,673 --> 00:29:01,772
[Otto]
What day is it?
537
00:29:02,708 --> 00:29:04,308
[Charlotte] Ah. I can't
even think. It's Friday.
538
00:29:04,777 --> 00:29:06,110
Oh wow.
539
00:29:06,112 --> 00:29:07,778
When did I get home?
540
00:29:10,516 --> 00:29:11,615
Monday?
541
00:29:12,318 --> 00:29:13,317
[Charlotte] Monday.
542
00:29:14,587 --> 00:29:16,220
Oh, nice August. That'll...
543
00:29:17,156 --> 00:29:18,956
last us a little while longer.
544
00:29:26,332 --> 00:29:28,799
Just trying to help
Charlotte out now
545
00:29:28,801 --> 00:29:30,768
with a lot of the stuff
my dad used to do.
546
00:29:31,937 --> 00:29:35,205
He would go around and
keep the neighborhood clear.
547
00:29:35,207 --> 00:29:38,108
But now I'm kind of going
around doing some of it.
548
00:29:38,110 --> 00:29:40,010
It's amazing how
somebody gets injured,
549
00:29:40,012 --> 00:29:41,411
and you get like,
one person down.
550
00:29:43,182 --> 00:29:45,015
Like a hole
is left in the world.
551
00:29:46,118 --> 00:29:47,584
For so much of my life
552
00:29:47,586 --> 00:29:49,419
I've relied on my dad
553
00:29:49,421 --> 00:29:51,421
as this strong defining force
on the homestead.
554
00:29:52,792 --> 00:29:55,325
Little bit of
skin degradation there.
555
00:29:56,796 --> 00:29:58,095
[Otto]
That's the arm that
556
00:29:58,931 --> 00:30:00,697
the cow made mush out of.
557
00:30:00,699 --> 00:30:01,865
[Eivin]
I know he'll bounce back
558
00:30:01,867 --> 00:30:03,200
to some capacity from this.
559
00:30:03,769 --> 00:30:04,968
But I also know
560
00:30:04,970 --> 00:30:06,503
it's a major kind of
turning point.
561
00:30:07,606 --> 00:30:08,705
[Charlotte]
Otto, we're getting
562
00:30:08,707 --> 00:30:10,107
all that adhesive off.
563
00:30:10,109 --> 00:30:11,508
[Eivin] Where, you know,
I think he's going to
564
00:30:11,510 --> 00:30:13,210
need to rethink
the things he does,
565
00:30:13,212 --> 00:30:14,978
wants to do, can do,
should do.
566
00:30:15,915 --> 00:30:17,080
[Otto groans] Lord.
567
00:30:20,986 --> 00:30:22,352
[Eivin] There comes a time
on a homestead,
568
00:30:22,421 --> 00:30:23,554
when the older generation,
ultimately,
569
00:30:23,556 --> 00:30:27,024
has to pass the reins
on to the next generation.
570
00:30:27,026 --> 00:30:29,426
I'm a third generation
Kilcher homesteader.
571
00:30:29,428 --> 00:30:33,764
I watched my grandfather
hand the reins down to my da
572
00:30:33,766 --> 00:30:36,233
and so it's kind of getting
around to that time period
573
00:30:36,335 --> 00:30:38,035
where, maybe those reins are
going get passed my way.
574
00:30:40,105 --> 00:30:41,438
The thing about homesteadin
575
00:30:41,540 --> 00:30:43,607
is that it's really hard to
on your own.
576
00:30:43,709 --> 00:30:45,242
I've been helping my dad ou
577
00:30:45,311 --> 00:30:47,211
since I was first able to.
578
00:30:47,213 --> 00:30:49,213
And my kids at this point
are still kinda
too young to help.
579
00:30:51,217 --> 00:30:53,617
But August has stepped up,
more than I have ever seen
580
00:30:53,719 --> 00:30:55,819
on the homestead before.
581
00:30:55,821 --> 00:30:57,788
But ultimately, I don't kno
if he wants this lifestyle.
582
00:30:57,790 --> 00:30:59,823
You know, I don't even know
if he knows what he wants.
583
00:31:01,393 --> 00:31:02,592
Until August come to me
584
00:31:02,594 --> 00:31:04,261
and says that
he wants to be a homesteader
585
00:31:04,363 --> 00:31:05,829
I don't really think, that
586
00:31:05,831 --> 00:31:07,831
he is somebody that I can
count on long term.
587
00:31:09,535 --> 00:31:10,667
I feel like
I'm gonna have to lean on
588
00:31:10,669 --> 00:31:12,236
other homesteaders
in the community.
589
00:31:12,304 --> 00:31:13,303
to help out.
590
00:31:24,116 --> 00:31:25,515
[cow mooing]
591
00:31:26,952 --> 00:31:28,085
Back in the ring.
592
00:31:29,788 --> 00:31:31,355
[Otto] There are some
important things
593
00:31:31,456 --> 00:31:33,290
things that are needed
to be done.
594
00:31:33,292 --> 00:31:35,826
I'll be lying in bed
while other people do it.
595
00:31:35,895 --> 00:31:39,029
I'm feeling thankful
and extremely guilty,
596
00:31:39,565 --> 00:31:40,631
at the same time.
597
00:31:49,541 --> 00:31:50,974
[August] I use the spear
598
00:31:52,011 --> 00:31:53,443
to kind of peel the bale
a little bit.
599
00:31:55,114 --> 00:31:57,414
And then,
gonna flick the bale.
600
00:31:59,919 --> 00:32:02,352
Dad has a lot on his plate.
601
00:32:02,421 --> 00:32:04,221
A lot, a lot. And it's...
602
00:32:05,424 --> 00:32:07,524
all of a sudden up to me
to start
603
00:32:07,526 --> 00:32:09,526
maybe caring for my parents
604
00:32:10,162 --> 00:32:11,695
and this place.
605
00:32:12,631 --> 00:32:14,097
I don't know where
I would be at.
606
00:32:15,401 --> 00:32:17,100
It certainly is like...
607
00:32:17,102 --> 00:32:19,202
it's not in anyone's
like life plan.
608
00:32:19,204 --> 00:32:21,204
Right?
When they are 23.
609
00:32:21,206 --> 00:32:24,241
Like I wanna go see things
at this point.
610
00:32:24,343 --> 00:32:25,876
I wanna get out
and explore.
611
00:32:27,446 --> 00:32:30,147
He finally has a chance
to take a break,
612
00:32:30,215 --> 00:32:32,516
which is great for him
and great for all of us too.
613
00:32:32,518 --> 00:32:36,320
But hey, guy needs one
once in a while.
614
00:32:36,322 --> 00:32:37,921
At least you're back
and you're in one piece.
615
00:32:38,924 --> 00:32:40,991
[Charlotte]
Sitting here evaluating
616
00:32:40,993 --> 00:32:42,426
you know where we are at.
617
00:32:42,428 --> 00:32:45,729
What if Otto can't
get it back together
618
00:32:45,831 --> 00:32:48,932
to be who he's been
all these years,
619
00:32:48,934 --> 00:32:51,301
take care of all that he does,
620
00:32:51,303 --> 00:32:53,070
like, what do we do then?
621
00:33:08,320 --> 00:33:09,920
[Otto]
There's days when I have hop
622
00:33:09,922 --> 00:33:11,355
and then there's days
where I hurt.
623
00:33:14,893 --> 00:33:17,461
I think the hurt is good
because it reminds me that
624
00:33:17,562 --> 00:33:19,997
I shouldn't do anything
too ahead of time.
625
00:33:19,999 --> 00:33:21,198
How do I look?
626
00:33:21,200 --> 00:33:23,100
-[Eivin] Pretty good.
-You look dressed.
627
00:33:23,102 --> 00:33:24,801
[Otto]
I've got several people
628
00:33:24,803 --> 00:33:27,904
that are gonna kick my ass
if I start too soon.
629
00:33:27,906 --> 00:33:29,339
I'm actually outside.
630
00:33:29,441 --> 00:33:30,407
[Eivin]
I know. Look at you.
631
00:33:30,409 --> 00:33:32,009
[Otto]
Alongside of that
632
00:33:32,011 --> 00:33:33,710
is the recognition,
633
00:33:33,779 --> 00:33:35,245
that my days are numbered.
634
00:33:36,248 --> 00:33:38,115
And that I can be broken,
635
00:33:38,717 --> 00:33:40,617
and that I can die.
636
00:33:40,619 --> 00:33:42,319
That I got given
another inning.
637
00:33:42,921 --> 00:33:44,888
So, I am gonna reassess
638
00:33:45,424 --> 00:33:46,589
a lot of things.
639
00:33:46,591 --> 00:33:49,126
And in some ways,
I expect a change a bunch.
640
00:33:49,828 --> 00:33:51,194
Oh, look at that view.
641
00:34:10,082 --> 00:34:11,281
You ready for this?
642
00:34:11,283 --> 00:34:12,516
[Eivin]
I am if you are.
643
00:34:15,421 --> 00:34:16,887
[Otto]
It's been a long winter.
644
00:34:16,889 --> 00:34:18,422
It's been a long recovery,
645
00:34:18,490 --> 00:34:20,290
but I am feeling
pretty damn good.
646
00:34:21,193 --> 00:34:22,592
Got a little pain still,
647
00:34:22,594 --> 00:34:24,227
but I think I am
ready to get back to work.
648
00:34:26,198 --> 00:34:28,398
Oh man, I can feel it
better already.
649
00:34:30,069 --> 00:34:31,501
What do you think, honey?
650
00:34:31,503 --> 00:34:32,602
[Charlotte]
You look different.
651
00:34:32,704 --> 00:34:34,504
The doctor gave him
the go ahead
652
00:34:34,506 --> 00:34:36,973
for small bits
of physical labor.
653
00:34:36,975 --> 00:34:39,209
But he's ready to
jump in there
654
00:34:39,211 --> 00:34:40,377
full go.
655
00:34:40,379 --> 00:34:42,779
And I just don't want
him to hurt himself again
656
00:34:42,781 --> 00:34:44,414
'cause he's not
all the way healed.
657
00:34:44,416 --> 00:34:47,217
Let's do a kiss without the...
658
00:34:47,219 --> 00:34:48,718
Oh, that's so much better.
659
00:34:48,787 --> 00:34:49,986
Oh yeah!
660
00:34:49,988 --> 00:34:51,021
[Otto claps]
661
00:34:51,023 --> 00:34:52,322
The closer we get.
662
00:34:57,096 --> 00:34:58,595
[Atz]
They say, this is one of
663
00:34:58,597 --> 00:35:00,430
the most important exercises
664
00:35:00,432 --> 00:35:03,600
to get those scapular muscles.
665
00:35:03,702 --> 00:35:04,701
[Atz Lee]
Un huh.
666
00:35:04,703 --> 00:35:07,037
So I gotta do
bunch of these everyday.
667
00:35:07,039 --> 00:35:09,873
Every one of my 73 years
has been different.
668
00:35:10,709 --> 00:35:12,476
I thought last year
was challenging,
669
00:35:12,478 --> 00:35:13,610
because I had ulcers
670
00:35:14,313 --> 00:35:16,413
and a hernia operation.
671
00:35:16,415 --> 00:35:17,914
But this past year...
672
00:35:20,686 --> 00:35:23,019
...my brother Otto and I
both had a hard t time.
673
00:35:23,956 --> 00:35:25,622
You know, he had
a serious accident.
674
00:35:25,624 --> 00:35:27,824
Thank God, he recovered,
and,
675
00:35:28,994 --> 00:35:30,827
I had major shoulder surgery.
676
00:35:32,631 --> 00:35:34,131
[doctor] Rotator cup is here.
677
00:35:34,800 --> 00:35:35,899
on the bottom.
678
00:35:37,102 --> 00:35:38,468
It's been humbling.
679
00:35:38,470 --> 00:35:39,936
I've had to learn
lot of patience.
680
00:35:40,772 --> 00:35:42,506
[Atz]
I'm down to
681
00:35:42,574 --> 00:35:45,208
one day a week now
with my therapy.
682
00:35:45,210 --> 00:35:46,943
[Atz Lee] Now, I've had
a shoulder surgery myself.
683
00:35:46,945 --> 00:35:48,678
It's a hard thing
to recover from.
684
00:35:48,680 --> 00:35:51,214
So, now that my dad's home,
685
00:35:51,316 --> 00:35:52,883
he's staying out
at the canyon's edge.
686
00:35:52,885 --> 00:35:54,317
He's just kind of
recouping out there
687
00:35:54,419 --> 00:35:56,987
until we can get his
retirement cabin built.
688
00:35:56,989 --> 00:36:00,423
It's going to be hard for hi
to kind of just stand aroun
689
00:36:00,492 --> 00:36:02,125
and not be doing
the work himself,
690
00:36:02,127 --> 00:36:04,327
but the recovery time on it
is going to put him out
691
00:36:04,429 --> 00:36:05,595
pretty much for the year.
692
00:36:05,597 --> 00:36:07,397
[Atz groans]
693
00:36:07,399 --> 00:36:09,166
[Atz]
The hardest thing
694
00:36:09,168 --> 00:36:11,501
has been just dealing
with the pain.
695
00:36:12,104 --> 00:36:13,103
Push it up.
696
00:36:14,406 --> 00:36:16,072
And that together with aging
697
00:36:17,309 --> 00:36:18,575
Little down at times
698
00:36:18,577 --> 00:36:19,809
just with the...
699
00:36:19,911 --> 00:36:21,244
dealing with it.
700
00:36:21,313 --> 00:36:22,312
Adjusting to aging,
701
00:36:22,314 --> 00:36:24,414
Adjusting to... injuries,
702
00:36:25,317 --> 00:36:26,616
part of reality.
703
00:36:27,519 --> 00:36:29,085
Our bodies and brains
704
00:36:30,422 --> 00:36:32,122
start working less well.
705
00:36:32,124 --> 00:36:33,289
Mm-hmm.
706
00:36:33,291 --> 00:36:34,791
[Atz Lee] My dad's
kind of been through a lot
707
00:36:34,793 --> 00:36:36,326
with his shoulder surgery.
708
00:36:36,428 --> 00:36:38,895
Otto, you know, almost got
stomped to death by a cow.
709
00:36:38,897 --> 00:36:41,431
That's really making them
take a hard, long look
710
00:36:41,499 --> 00:36:42,799
at how much more time
do they have left?
711
00:36:42,868 --> 00:36:45,001
What they wanna do
before they go?
712
00:36:45,003 --> 00:36:47,204
Just really want to
encourage my dad
713
00:36:47,206 --> 00:36:49,773
to take time and to stop
and put down the reins.
714
00:36:49,775 --> 00:36:50,874
The hard labor.
715
00:36:50,942 --> 00:36:53,310
Stop trying to rip his arms
apart with chainsaws.
716
00:36:53,312 --> 00:36:54,411
And let the next generation
717
00:36:54,413 --> 00:36:55,712
start picking up
some of that slack.
718
00:36:57,049 --> 00:36:58,915
[Atz] My dad,
719
00:36:58,917 --> 00:37:01,051
he didn't really
give up much control
720
00:37:01,053 --> 00:37:02,619
of the homestead.
721
00:37:02,721 --> 00:37:04,721
I used to say to him,
"Why don't you let the kids
722
00:37:04,723 --> 00:37:06,723
run the homestead and
sit back and see how they do?"
723
00:37:06,792 --> 00:37:07,924
How we do.
724
00:37:07,926 --> 00:37:09,726
No. No. He wasn't
ready for it.
725
00:37:09,728 --> 00:37:10,727
I think it's..
726
00:37:11,096 --> 00:37:12,229
much
727
00:37:12,231 --> 00:37:13,430
better
728
00:37:13,531 --> 00:37:14,497
now
729
00:37:14,967 --> 00:37:15,932
with
730
00:37:16,768 --> 00:37:18,034
me and Otto
731
00:37:18,604 --> 00:37:19,703
more
732
00:37:21,106 --> 00:37:22,706
letting you guys
make decisions.
733
00:37:22,708 --> 00:37:24,207
The problem to me isn't
734
00:37:24,209 --> 00:37:26,509
will the next generation
step up.
735
00:37:26,611 --> 00:37:28,979
It's will the old generation
step aside
736
00:37:29,715 --> 00:37:31,481
and let 'em do it
737
00:37:31,483 --> 00:37:32,582
instead of waiting
till we die
738
00:37:32,584 --> 00:37:34,284
and then they
suddenly take over.
739
00:37:34,286 --> 00:37:36,720
Eivin is
much more involved...
740
00:37:36,788 --> 00:37:37,821
Mm-hmm.
741
00:37:37,823 --> 00:37:39,422
...in having a say
in the homestead
742
00:37:39,424 --> 00:37:41,391
and kind of help
in run it
743
00:37:41,393 --> 00:37:43,326
than my generation was.
744
00:37:43,428 --> 00:37:44,494
[Atz Lee]
One of the great things
745
00:37:44,496 --> 00:37:45,629
about living in Alaska is,
746
00:37:45,631 --> 00:37:46,730
that you cannot ignore change.
747
00:37:48,400 --> 00:37:50,267
Leaves fall off trees,
748
00:37:50,269 --> 00:37:52,502
bears go into the holes
in the ground
749
00:37:52,504 --> 00:37:54,471
and winter happens.
750
00:37:54,473 --> 00:37:56,573
But with winter,
will come spring.
751
00:37:57,509 --> 00:37:59,409
Change will always happen.
752
00:37:59,478 --> 00:38:01,711
If I could say one thing
to the Kilcher elders,
753
00:38:02,114 --> 00:38:03,113
it would be...
754
00:38:03,915 --> 00:38:05,382
embrace change, you know.
755
00:38:13,792 --> 00:38:15,058
[Otto whoops]
756
00:38:16,395 --> 00:38:17,427
Oh.
757
00:38:17,963 --> 00:38:19,329
Let's do this.
758
00:38:19,331 --> 00:38:20,697
[Otto]
Today is my first day back
759
00:38:20,699 --> 00:38:22,032
working with my cows.
760
00:38:23,402 --> 00:38:24,701
I'm alive.
761
00:38:24,803 --> 00:38:26,503
I was gonna say,
it's like you know
762
00:38:26,571 --> 00:38:28,705
after you've been bucked off,
get back on that horse,
763
00:38:28,807 --> 00:38:30,974
and face that...
face that fear.
764
00:38:32,411 --> 00:38:35,779
I mean, my heart is racing
a million miles an hour.
765
00:38:36,315 --> 00:38:37,814
I'm just going to...
766
00:38:38,884 --> 00:38:39,883
get the cows in here.
767
00:38:39,885 --> 00:38:41,318
Let them start eating hay
768
00:38:41,386 --> 00:38:43,053
and then we're gonna
figure out which cows
769
00:38:43,055 --> 00:38:44,988
are gonna get tags, Charlotte.
770
00:38:44,990 --> 00:38:46,623
[Charlotte]
I'm kinda nervous about Ott
771
00:38:46,625 --> 00:38:48,091
being around cows again,
772
00:38:48,093 --> 00:38:49,325
after his accident.
773
00:38:51,530 --> 00:38:53,697
Working the cows is just
always kind of crazy.
774
00:38:53,699 --> 00:38:56,399
I mean you gotta
lot of animals moving around
775
00:38:56,468 --> 00:39:00,603
A lot of potential
to be slammed by somebody
776
00:39:00,705 --> 00:39:02,706
even if they are
not mean and crazy.
777
00:39:03,675 --> 00:39:06,109
But it's time to drive
the cows back
778
00:39:06,111 --> 00:39:08,111
to the head of the bay
for pasture,
779
00:39:08,113 --> 00:39:11,114
and Otto's the only cattlema
left on the homestead.
780
00:39:12,217 --> 00:39:14,617
[August] Well Dad, are
you getting any "patisda"?
781
00:39:15,821 --> 00:39:16,986
What is "patisda"?
782
00:39:16,988 --> 00:39:18,021
[August]
PTSD.
783
00:39:22,227 --> 00:39:24,127
Well, yeah, I guess so.
784
00:39:24,229 --> 00:39:26,229
I'm definitely
way more cautious,
785
00:39:26,231 --> 00:39:29,899
up close and in
a confined area with the cow
786
00:39:29,901 --> 00:39:33,103
I'm a lot more conscious
about their mood,
787
00:39:33,105 --> 00:39:35,705
and a lot more respectful
about their mood.
788
00:39:35,707 --> 00:39:38,041
All right, you come...
Could you come here
789
00:39:38,043 --> 00:39:40,110
and... and stand here,
so you can count
790
00:39:40,211 --> 00:39:41,211
the calves coming in.
791
00:39:42,180 --> 00:39:43,713
[August]
I'm worried about my dad,
792
00:39:43,715 --> 00:39:45,215
getting back out here
with the cows because,
793
00:39:45,283 --> 00:39:47,517
quite frankly, it seems like
he's having
794
00:39:47,519 --> 00:39:49,419
a pretty tough time still
with the accident.
795
00:39:51,123 --> 00:39:52,188
[August]
Are you all right?
796
00:39:52,190 --> 00:39:53,223
[Otto]
I don't know.
797
00:39:54,159 --> 00:39:55,325
A little intimidating.
798
00:39:55,427 --> 00:39:56,726
[August]
Remember,
799
00:39:56,728 --> 00:39:58,995
you're not impressing anyone
if you injure yourself again.
800
00:39:58,997 --> 00:40:00,997
[Otto]
I thought I was ready,
801
00:40:01,666 --> 00:40:03,967
but I don't think I am.
802
00:40:03,969 --> 00:40:05,234
[August]
Oh, man.
803
00:40:10,108 --> 00:40:12,175
[Eivin] This season on
Alaska: The Last Frontier...
804
00:40:14,112 --> 00:40:16,012
Wow, this is so cool.
805
00:40:16,014 --> 00:40:17,480
A message for your kids.
806
00:40:18,150 --> 00:40:20,316
Daddy's flying a plane.
807
00:40:20,418 --> 00:40:22,318
[August] This year, things a
going to real different.
808
00:40:24,389 --> 00:40:26,289
[Eivin] As our parents
continue to get older
809
00:40:26,291 --> 00:40:29,192
I am willing to step up
and try to do more.
810
00:40:29,194 --> 00:40:31,227
But it's also up to
the next generation
811
00:40:31,329 --> 00:40:32,295
to do their part.
812
00:40:33,198 --> 00:40:34,431
Oh, that was a nice one.
813
00:40:34,532 --> 00:40:36,032
What a beauty!
814
00:40:36,034 --> 00:40:37,066
[Atz Lee]
We always hope
815
00:40:37,068 --> 00:40:38,101
the next generation
takes up
816
00:40:38,170 --> 00:40:40,170
where you left off, you know.
817
00:40:40,172 --> 00:40:44,207
Hopefully Etienne and Augus
will want to stick around.
818
00:40:44,209 --> 00:40:45,275
Kind of frightened.
819
00:40:46,211 --> 00:40:48,077
A little bit more than kinda.
820
00:40:48,079 --> 00:40:50,046
[Atz Lee] Etienne's
heading out to college.
821
00:40:50,048 --> 00:40:51,881
This is kind of
our last summer together
822
00:40:51,883 --> 00:40:52,816
before he goes out...
823
00:40:53,618 --> 00:40:54,617
and starts his own life.
824
00:40:55,487 --> 00:40:56,619
[Etienne]
It's extremely hard to leave
825
00:40:56,721 --> 00:40:58,922
but I am desperately
looking forward to going.
826
00:40:58,924 --> 00:41:00,890
You've struggled a little bit
with trying to decide
827
00:41:00,892 --> 00:41:01,991
you know, what to do.
828
00:41:02,059 --> 00:41:03,426
If you're not gonna get
pushed out of the nest,
829
00:41:03,495 --> 00:41:04,894
you gotta jump out of the nest
on your own.
830
00:41:05,997 --> 00:41:07,497
[August laughing]
831
00:41:07,499 --> 00:41:09,499
Look straight ahead.
Don't worry about us, okay?
832
00:41:09,501 --> 00:41:11,768
[Eve]
This year we have new friend
833
00:41:11,770 --> 00:41:13,603
and new faces.
834
00:41:14,606 --> 00:41:16,306
We're still new
to homesteading.
835
00:41:16,374 --> 00:41:17,941
We're still learning
as we go.
836
00:41:17,943 --> 00:41:18,975
Get her.
837
00:41:19,878 --> 00:41:20,977
[man] Oh God.
838
00:41:20,979 --> 00:41:22,111
Oh God.
839
00:41:22,113 --> 00:41:23,580
Really, what's the worse
that could happen?
840
00:41:23,582 --> 00:41:24,614
[Charlotte]
Oh my God!
841
00:41:25,217 --> 00:41:26,282
[thuds]
842
00:41:26,284 --> 00:41:27,517
[August]
Dad!