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. 7 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. 12 00:01:20,114 --> 00:01:21,947 They said my dad punctured both of his lungs 13 00:01:22,049 --> 00:01:24,950 He's broken, like, 16 or more ribs, 14 00:01:25,018 --> 00:01:30,022 some of them also the closes to, like, some major arterie and stuff like that. 15 00:01:30,124 --> 00:01:32,724 It's pretty scary. I feel like right now. 16 00:01:32,726 --> 00:01:34,827 [machines beeping] 17 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. 19 00:01:42,002 --> 00:01:44,203 Today started out like any other day. 20 00:01:44,205 --> 00:01:48,807 And then I got a text from a friend of my dad's that he was working when, 21 00:01:48,809 --> 00:01:53,312 and it just says, "911. Otto is hurt. Call me back immediately." 22 00:01:53,314 --> 00:01:55,247 And I did. I called him back immediately 23 00:01:55,316 --> 00:01:58,450 and he is like, "Your dad is hurt. He got trampled by a cow." 24 00:01:59,320 --> 00:02:00,819 We called an ambulance. 25 00:02:00,821 --> 00:02:02,488 And I was like, okay, I am on the way. 26 00:02:02,490 --> 00:02:06,291 [dramatic music playing] 27 00:02:06,293 --> 00:02:08,026 [Eivin] My friend, Brian, jumped in the truck with me 28 00:02:08,028 --> 00:02:09,928 We threw my four-wheeler in the back of the truck 29 00:02:09,930 --> 00:02:12,931 because where we were going was four wheeler access only. 30 00:02:12,933 --> 00:02:14,533 [engine spluttering] 31 00:02:14,535 --> 00:02:17,636 [Eivin] No vehicle could get to him. No ambulance could get to him. 32 00:02:17,738 --> 00:02:20,939 Another thing I knew for certain was there is no way 33 00:02:21,041 --> 00:02:23,142 we could get a helicopter out there. 34 00:02:23,210 --> 00:02:26,845 I've worked in the emergency field enough to know when helicopters can fly, 35 00:02:26,947 --> 00:02:30,716 and when you can use them as resource, and I know when you absolutely cannot. 36 00:02:30,718 --> 00:02:34,019 So, all I am really thinkin of is how are we gonna get him out of here, 37 00:02:34,021 --> 00:02:37,356 and is he gonna survive long enough to get him to the hospital. 38 00:02:39,827 --> 00:02:41,727 When I finally got to my dad 39 00:02:41,729 --> 00:02:43,428 I knew this was a life-threatening injury. 40 00:02:45,299 --> 00:02:47,933 [machines beeping] 41 00:02:49,236 --> 00:02:52,604 [Eivin] Where my dad got injured was basically as far away 42 00:02:52,606 --> 00:02:58,410 on the road system as you can possibly get from a hospital in Alaska. 43 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. 45 00:03:04,618 --> 00:03:06,652 [siren wailing] 46 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. 48 00:03:13,427 --> 00:03:17,629 With their help, we literally had to carry hi for over a 100 years, 49 00:03:17,631 --> 00:03:20,499 on an extremely steep, slippery slope, 50 00:03:20,501 --> 00:03:23,335 -and wide-out snow condition -[man] Here we go. 51 00:03:23,403 --> 00:03:27,739 [indistinct chatter] 52 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 53 00:03:30,911 --> 00:03:33,312 to the pick-up truck so that we could load him into the back of. 54 00:03:33,814 --> 00:03:35,047 [man 1 speaking] 55 00:03:35,049 --> 00:03:36,682 [man 2 speaking] 56 00:03:39,520 --> 00:03:41,853 [Eivin] We had to load my dad in the back of the pick-up truck 57 00:03:41,955 --> 00:03:44,556 because an ambulance can't get up the road 58 00:03:44,625 --> 00:03:47,793 as it's too slippery to drive it up the steep road without chains. 59 00:03:47,795 --> 00:03:50,229 There's chains on the truck 60 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 61 00:03:56,236 --> 00:03:58,537 before we actually got him in the ambulance. 62 00:04:00,708 --> 00:04:02,808 [indistinct chatter] 63 00:04:10,751 --> 00:04:11,516 [door closes] 64 00:04:12,853 --> 00:04:13,552 [door closes] 65 00:04:25,232 --> 00:04:26,865 [slow music playing] 66 00:04:26,867 --> 00:04:28,600 -[Eivin] He's too critical. Just too critical. -[August] Too critical. Yeah. 67 00:04:28,602 --> 00:04:31,737 And, you know, I think that's what they are saying. They're just... 68 00:04:31,838 --> 00:04:34,840 You know they don't have a... They don't have a cardiothoracic surgeon 69 00:04:34,941 --> 00:04:36,408 here in Homer. 70 00:04:36,410 --> 00:04:38,944 And they just want to get him to, like, a trauma center in Anchorage. 71 00:04:38,946 --> 00:04:43,515 [August] At this point, we don't kno if dad is going to make it. 72 00:04:43,517 --> 00:04:47,552 Quite frankly, he's had injuries before, but nothing this severe. 73 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. 75 00:04:56,830 --> 00:04:58,530 I am... [sighs] 76 00:04:58,532 --> 00:05:01,900 [pensive music playing] 77 00:05:01,902 --> 00:05:02,834 I don't know. 78 00:05:04,605 --> 00:05:06,738 -[sighs wearily] -That's so screwed-up. 79 00:05:06,840 --> 00:05:08,506 -So... -So screwed up. 80 00:05:08,508 --> 00:05:11,043 [August] At this point now, I feel like it's just a waiting game. 81 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] 84 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 86 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 88 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. 90 00:05:41,709 --> 00:05:43,342 [wind howling] 91 00:05:43,410 --> 00:05:44,409 [man] You okay down there? 92 00:05:47,614 --> 00:05:49,414 [indistinct chatter] 93 00:05:49,416 --> 00:05:51,350 [helicopter hovering] 94 00:05:58,058 --> 00:06:00,659 [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. 96 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. 102 00:06:22,516 --> 00:06:24,816 [helicopter hovering] 103 00:06:31,024 --> 00:06:33,425 [pensive music playing] 104 00:06:37,431 --> 00:06:39,798 -[Charlotte] Hey, hun. Oh, nice you got the wood in. -[August] Hey. 105 00:06:39,800 --> 00:06:41,466 Yeah, a little bit more. 106 00:06:42,436 --> 00:06:47,406 [Charlotte] I really haven' heard a lot on how he is doi right now. 107 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. 109 00:06:57,317 --> 00:06:59,418 And, I tracked down a nurse, 110 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. 114 00:07:08,028 --> 00:07:09,694 -[Eivin] Hey. -Oh, hey, Eivin. 115 00:07:09,696 --> 00:07:14,699 I am absolutely terrified and worried sick about what's going on. 116 00:07:14,701 --> 00:07:19,104 And outside of knowing that he has been crushed by a cow, 117 00:07:19,106 --> 00:07:20,338 I don't even know what happened. 118 00:07:20,440 --> 00:07:21,440 What an ordeal. 119 00:07:21,508 --> 00:07:23,809 That was so crazy, getting that text, 120 00:07:23,811 --> 00:07:28,046 It was just, um, uh, I heard that Otto's been hurt. 121 00:07:28,048 --> 00:07:30,715 -And they're going to the hospital. -[Eivin] Mm-hmm. 122 00:07:30,717 --> 00:07:33,051 And so to me, like, what does that even mean, 123 00:07:33,120 --> 00:07:35,320 like, oh, he is getting a couple of stitches. 124 00:07:35,322 --> 00:07:37,222 Well, yeah that's when I called you. 125 00:07:37,224 --> 00:07:39,825 -And then, yeah, and then-- -[Eivin] 'Cause Chris had gotten a hold of me, 126 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. 131 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!