09x03 - No Place Like Dome

[bunniefuu]

They've got 83 acres

and a dome.

No garden, no greenhouse.

It's scary that
we might die in the snow.

It's scary that we
might get eaten.

These guys will not
make it another winter here.

I've never seen a homestead where
there has been so much carnage.

Right now, it just isn't safe.

Who eats the head
and leaves the body?

- Up there.

This is crazy.

Look out!

We are running out of time.

Oh, my God!

This domestead is going to work.

Okay, kids, welcome to Idaho.

Whoo!

In the last 45 minutes,

it looked like we went
from high plains desert

to forested mountains.

- It is dry.
- You get these crazy swings in temperature,

so anything you try
and do is problematic.

All the while the
animals in Idaho definitely live

up here in these mountains
and in these trees.

The Raneys are wheels
down in Garden Valley, Idaho.

About 50 miles
northeast of Boise.

A rugged and remote
forested area

that borders
the Payette National Forest.

The community has a celebrated
history of mining and logging.

The region, which is home to some of
North America's most dangerous predators,

is beset by harsh
weather extremes.

With sub-zero winters
and blistering summers.

It is in this harsh environment

that the Clarke family
sits on a precipice

- I'm Bobbi.
- And I'm Paul.

And we've been homesteading

for just about
a year and a half.

We bought this property
right when Covid started.

But there's no well.
There was no water.

- We thought there was a well on the property.
- Yeah.

To not have water,

it was heartbreaking.

It's very cold here
in the winter.

We couldn't get the dome
above freezing temperatures,

for 42 days.

We have no way to
heat it, power has been a struggle.

And not being able to grow
anything is really, really tough.

There's no real soil.

It's all decomposing granite.

It's kinda like
a really coarse sand.

And it's definitely not going
to grow any vegetables.

Just walking
around the property,

there's so many dead carcasses.

Who eats the head
and leaves the body?

Someone is gonna get injured,
and someone might even die.

This is one million times
harder than we expected.

Lack of water,
lack of power...

We won't be able
to survive up here.

Marty, Matt, Misty...

We need your help.

- What in the--Hey!
- Hi!

Who is crazy enough

to build their homestead
on the edge of a cliff.

- My gosh, you guys.

Wow, that's a long drop,
how far down.

Yeah, a lot.

- About 3.700 feet.
- Really far down.

- Marty Raney. Paul?
- Paul Clarke. Yeah.

Bobbi. Welcome to
our domestead.

Domestead?

- Yeah!
- Very good, Bobbi.

- Cayden.
- Cayden.

- Justin.
- Justin.

- Caitlyn.
- Caitlyn.

So, do you guys all live here?

We live here, and then our kids
are up here as much as they can be.

What made you come
out here in the first place?

And how has it been going
thus far?

Paul and I have
been together almost a decade.

And I'd been looking
for a long time

for a piece of property
that would suit our needs.

The whole idea behind this
is come up here,

and lead
a real healthy lifestyle

and to instill it into our kids.

It's really fun until you have
the extreme temperatures.

And then, it's a nightmare.

There's two of our


that we insulated and wrapped,

but they froze solid.

The lack of water is likely our
number one challenge here.

Really, our only solution
is to have a well.

But our road is impassable.

There's the dome.

Here's the way back to our road.

It's about
a football field long.

And then you have to do
this crazy squiggle...

logging road...

I don't think they can get
a well-digger machine up here.

I have to go all the way back
to Boise to get water, at this point.

I have health issues
related to my heart,

same thing that my dad had.

His dad just literally dropped
dead of a heart attack,

when he was 56.

And now Paul will be


I don't want my kids
to grow up without a dad.

Paul's 20-year-old
daughter Caitlyn

was recently diagnosed
with heart issues as well.

That's very,
very difficult on her.

We need a simpler life.

And if we didn't have the stress

of no water no solar,
no healthy foods...

All those ailments just go away.

I'm in the middle
of seeing a cardiologist

and I'm really supposed to
kinda be laying low.

It's scary.

It's scary that we might
die in the snow,

It's scary that we
might get eaten.

If we don't get
the help we need,

it's going to fail.

This is a do or die situation.

All right, what say you and I
take a walk down memory lane?

Show me the trials
and tribulations of that road.

- Let's do it.
- Okay.

And I'll follow you, Bobbi.

- Yeah, come into the dome.
- I'll take a tour.

-Come on in, let's see.
- Okay. Fair enough, Lets go.

I'll go with you kids and
kinda explore the property?

- Follow me.

All right.
Welcome to the Dome Home.

I've never been in a dome home.

It's pretty fun.

- This view. Yeah.
- This is amazing.

And it's a long work.

So, for insulation,
how are you guys

surviving in the winter
and in the summer?

So, it was super, super tricky.

So, this is actually
the insulation.

- It's like a big padding.
- Yes, Yeah, yeah, yeah.

And our plan was to have
hydronic floors.

So, do you have
in-floor heating?

- Yes.
- We do, but it's not hooked up to anything.

They don't have water,
they don't have power.

It's such a big, big problem.

Especially here,
on this homestead,

this elevation,
this far from town,

this driveway...

This amount of people...

It's just like...
It's a big problem.

It's impossible
to grow food here.

You can see this is all
decomposing granite.

There's really no dirt.

I've tried planting some things

and unless it's
a natural habitat here,

it's not going to grow.

I mean, look around
you, there's nothing surviving

- but a few trees and a sage batch.
- Exactly.

- That's it. There's no--
- Exactly.

I've-- I'm standing
here, not hearing

you know,
the big concern of location

or greenhouse, or like
where do we put things.

I'm hearing this big concern
of water.

And everything
we try and do here

- and everything we bring here...
- 100 percent.

how are you gonna
sustain it?

I think that
the domestead will fail

- unless we get water on my seeds.
- Yeah.

Well, this is
a really cool area.

- Yeah.
- What is this?

I see a platform.

Me and my dad
built this last year,

And we had a giant tent

that covered
this whole platform.

It had three rooms.

You guys stayed in here?

- Like, all three of you?
- Yeah, Yeah.

'Cause there wasn't enough
space in the dome.

It's really nice that
we get to have

like our own spot that we know

is for us to use.

The past couple months I've
been up here a lot more often.

We've been camping
a lot up here.

I want to live
up here full time,

but, like, as of right now,

I don't think it's doable.

So, you guys wanna live here?

- Yeah.
- Yeah.

I think it's really amazing
that all three

of these young adults

want to live on this property

and have embraced
this lifestyle.

The tent's gone.
What happened to it?

It couldn't survive
the wind in the winter.

If we get things to a point where
you guys can have your own place...

I think that that is
a huge game-changer

for this whole homestead.

- Okay.
- Let's go.

We've had probably
about 12 well-drillers.

- Twelve?
- Twelve.

And what's the consensus?

Everybody else
came up here was like,

"There's no way
I'm gonna get my rig

through these two
corners here."

Well, this corner's
too tight, yeah.

- Right. Yup.
- That's what you're telling me.

Okay.

I can see why you
don't have a well.

Okay.

So, when you drive across
the desert for at least an hour,

on the way to a homestead.
You're wondering if they have water.

In this case, it's a desert.

This is granite.

Behind their right--
This whole bank. right?

Look at that granite
boulder, you know.

That boulder and this
is hard as a diamond.

But here's the thing. Here's the
beautiful thing about this lifestyle.

You never know until you try.

- All right.
- Okay?

We'll...

We'll do out best.

- Great.
- What we can do.

- Right?
- No promises.

This is one of the few
places on the property I've never been.

Right here, follow me.

I see something big over here.

- Look at this.
- Wow.

A lot of bones right here.

Predators have dragged off
all the meat...

Look at that.

- Its spine.
- Yeah.

- Pretty crazy stuff, huh?
- Yeah.

Here's another one.

Wow. Yeah.

I mean...
I mean, here's more bones.

Right?

This is a lot of activity,
there's a lot of k*ll sites

These guys will not-- Will not
make it another winter here.

They don't have food,
they don't have water.

They don't even have a house.

For a chunk of the day,
you can't even be inside,

'cause it's too hot.
Around 120-plus.

And then, in the wintertime,
it's too cold.

And they're freezing to death.

Justin built a platform
with his dad,

and they put a tent
up there last summer.

They took it down because
they didn't want it to get

destroyed during the wintertime.

So that's kinda cool. The kids
wanna have their own little place here.

I think that we should
make a place for 'em.

But, from what I've seen so far,

there's definitely
big predators.

Like bears, and mountain lions
coming onto this homestead.

Right now, I've got to get
these kids solid shelter to live in.

Until we have
these structures built,

I have to put the predator
problem on hold.

Here's the problem.

Stay right there.
Look at this.

We build one or two or three
cabins for those kids,

and you've added
more of a demand

for water on this property

that doesn't have enough
just for the mom and dad.

Never once has anybody said,

"Oh, this property
has no water."

This property can't get a well-drilling
machine here is the problem.

If the Clarke
homestead stands any chance

of surviving one more winter,

Marty must first work to widen

the five-mile long
switch-backing cliffside road

to allow access
to a large well-drilling rig.

If they can find water,

and also determine
a ridge line power source,

the Clarke family will
finally be able to operate

the dome's radiant
concrete floor heating

in the freezing winters.

And also cool the structure
in the blistering summers.

To enable the family's
three children

to live on the property,

Matt must build
permanent shelters

that can withstand
the extreme temperatures.

And to feed the family,
year round,

Misty must create
a sustainable food source

on the rugged ridge line.

This is the driver, water.
And the lack of it.

And the hope of finding it.

There's no guarantees.

So, on that note,

let's see if we can help 'em.
Let's go.

We've been here
just a matter of hours.

And you need water.

You've tried, right?

Can we, the Raneys, get a
well-drilling machine here?

We found an excavator.

Tomorrow morning, that excavator is
going to try to improve your road system.

And we'll make sure
that if we succeed,

at least the road is wide enough

where the well-driller deems
this road passable.

But let's just cut to the chase,
it's all about water, right?

So that's gonna be
my main focus.

To get water is-- It's life.

So, you do need a garden,

you do need a greenhouse,

you need to grow your own food.

I think we tackle food and hope for
the best as far as water in concerned.

Thank you so much.

I talked to all these
beautiful children here.

And they already,
basically, like,

put their foot down
and been like,

"This is our part
of the mountain."

I think that while I'm here,

we should make it more official

and try to build something
that's substantial.

Where they could
actually stay here,

and call this place their home.

-You interested in that? Having your own footprint?
-Yeah, I wanna stay here.

I just feel more at home.

More in tune
with myself out here.

We've got a lot
of unanswered questions.

- Okay.
- And each day,

thigs are gonna happen
that are gonna make you happy.

And things are gonna happen
that are gonna make us sad.

Okay.

So, get a good night's rest,

because you guys are gonna be
helping these guys build.

And I'm gonna try to get a road

that will allow us to get a
first crack at drilling for water.

I'll shake your hands
for the second time today

- and...
- We start tomorrow.

Good job, kids.

- We're gonna get some stuff done.
- I know.

High in the mountains

of budding Idaho's
arid Payette National Forest,

on the Clarkes' hazardous road,

Marty takes step one

in hopes of bringing water
to supply the homestead.

So, here's the task.

Can we fix the road?

Can we claw through the
granite, can we widen out corners?

Can we get a 40-foot
well-drilling machine,

at least eight feet wide,

to this homestead
to drill a well?

It's never been done before

and there's never been a well-drilling
machine in these mountains, ever.

That cliff is dangerous,
and not level.

The road to this homestead
gets steeper, more narrow

and a lot of this granite
is as hard as a diamond.

Can I get the excavator to
scratch and claw and inch away

to make a corner wide enough
for a well-drilling machine?

I need to finish
the road tomorrow.

Because the well-driller
comes the next day.

- How's this going?
- Brutal.

Some of it's softer.

And some of it,
like right in there,

is hard as a diamond, so...

I started off
a little confident.

Now I'm worried about
what we're getting into now.

- So...
- So I'll let you know in about and hour or two

if this is actually gonna work.

This is my favorite day
on the homestead

when we actually start working.

I'm really excited
about an idea I have.

Following the geodesic
dome theme,

I wanna do a geodome greenhouse.

The problem is, is there is
not a ton of usable space here.

I wanna put it really close
to their front door.

But their whole home
is surrounded by a cliff.

- I wanna do something kinda crazy.
- Well, what is it?

So, they have 83 acres.

And as far as I am concerned,

it's 82.99999 acres
of unusable ground.

There's nowhere to put anything.

--It's steep, for sure.
-It's steep.

So, I wanna pick
the skid steer up

and lower it over the bank.

And that was I could
carve out a platform

for the dome, greenhouse.

And if I can't do that

then I have to build a platform.

- Which is the cost, the time--
- Okay, slow down.

So what's wrong with just
bringing this over there

and scratching out a--
Little few trees

and some of the material

right there
where that parking lot is.

That makes the most sense.

You gotta come look at--
You wanna come look at it?

Do you wanna see
if this excavator

can even pick up the skid steer?

-And if they can't-- -I don't-I
don't-- I don't even like that.

Why not, again, push out where
the driveway comes in to the house.

Push that out and have a
nice spot for a greenhouse.

Where you wanna put it is shady.

It's not where I wanna put it.

Okay, it's not a good spot
for a greenhouse.

The most sun is on
the other side of that dome.

And you can't get
an excavator there.

This is me just desperate.

I'm desperate 'cause I'm
on this homestead

where, like-- I don't
see a lot of options here.

And this is me--
Like, I've looked around...

Uh, this is it.

This is the spot
where it has to go.

Across the property...

Here we are, standing in front
of this platform

that was built by
you, Justin, and your dad.

Matt meets with Justin,
Cayden and Caitlyn

to discuss his ambitious plan

to build three separate
permanent structures

they can each call home,
in only six days.

Ad here's the good news.
I think we can use this thing.

So we have three adults
in their 20s,

that I'm talking about
building places for...

When you get older,
you need a little space.

So, what I think
is the best idea,

and how to re-use this platform,

is separate each one

and turn them into a start
for a place

for each and every one of you.

I say we walk around,
and each one of you

find that spot
where you're like,

"You know what,
I wanna build my place here."

I am very excited.
I think that's a great idea.

It's always been my dream
to be able to come up here

and be with my family,

but also have my own space.

I'm really close
with my brothers

and I like that we're able
to be really close,

but I also like the idea of splitting it
up so we each have our own space

since we are all adults
and we are all kinda growing.

If one of you wants
to claim this spot,

then I'll take the other two

and we'll go find another place.

I think Cayden's the one
that's gonna be living here

in the most immediate future.

- Really?
- This is--

- So you--
- I would like this spot.

- So, are you okay with that, Caitlyn?
- Yeah.

I thought that was
really sweet to see

that they were
so readily giving,

to be like, "You know what?
This is Cayden's spot."

Yeah, this is--
This is a cool spot.

- It means a lot, then, to you.
- Yeah.

To be able to wake up and
look at that would be pretty sweet.

This is an amazing spot.

There is at least
two other amazing spots.

- Let's go look.
- Sure.

So, where are we
standing right now?

This is the area
we call kid's camp.

And last year, we actually
got the excavator up here

and we flattened it.

So we got a big, nice, flat
ground with lots of space here.

This is the best build site that
I've seen on the whole property.

It is really cool to think about
having a more permanent spot,

up here, that I could call home.

Two build sites down.

- And you know where you wanna build.
- Mm-hm.

Let's just keep at it.

It's like I'm starting to get
to know you guys

just by what you're choosing
as your build sites.

- So right here, is this the spot?
- Yeah.

It's big enough.

All right,
so you think that this

is your build site.

I do, yeah. I really like
the privacy that it offers.

'Cause it's a little bit of
a trek to get in here.

I think it's
a little bit more relaxing

because it is kinda
off the path a little bit,

and away from everyone.

Caitlyn's got
health problems.

And so she needs
a low-stress environment,

and I think the hideaway spot
is gonna provide that.

Three different build sites,

we got our work cut out for us.

But I've never been more stoked
for anybody on a homestead,

than I am right now.

All right, let's go.

Hey, Bobbi. Whoo-hoo!

- Hi, good morning.
- Hey, come on in!

- How's it going?
- Good.

I wanna talk to you
about a few things.

- You wanna follow me?
- Yeah, absolutely.

Across the homestead...

Okay, so let's come
all the way down...

Misty takes Bobbi to
potential greenhouse locations.

So we wanna get as much
sun as we possibly can.

Where is that area that's
closest to your front door?

Okay.

- It would either be here...
- Okay.

- not flat. Or...
- Not flat.

Here.

I think over here, for sure.

This is a little bit
more manageable.

- Um, I like this location better.
- Okay.

- Awesome.
- We're on the same team!

Bobbi is a vegetarian,

and Paul has health concerns,

to the point where vegetables
would definitely help them.

I worry
about Paul a lot.

It's been his greatest fear

to succumb to death and
leave his kids without a father.

And in case he were
to have a heart attack,

I have a full medic kit.

I worry about
his health every day.

I've really started
to worry more about him.

And I think that this is gonna give him
some more time to focus on his health.

Because he needs to.

This is about putting
ourselves, and particularly me,

in a position
to live a healthier lifestyle.

The concern
is also felt with Caitlyn.

With Caitlyn,
she's right in the middle.

Things are really intense
up here right now.

She keeps a lot to herself.

But her health condition is
something that is very serious to us all.

All right, well, I've been
thinking about you all day,

I'm showing some signs of
some stress related heart illnesses.

I love you.

Now that I'm showing
more symptoms of that,

we're taking it pretty seriously

'cause I do have it
on both sides of the family.

You're doing okay?

I'm having
a lot of anxiety.

This is really miserable.

I'm kinda in my personal
hell right now.

I feel that,
and that's why I am upset. So.

So, we're a little concerned.

And we really just wanna
make sure that I'm,

first of all, able to get all
the tests done that I need,

and then have a place
to come and relax.

This can be
a really arduous life.

Especially when you
don't have water,

you don't have power,

you don't have a garden,
a greenhouse,

there's no means
of growing food.

So, to get them to the place
where they can say...

The simple life...

We've got to fix a few things

before we get there.

I'm nervous
about my heart.

Okay.

I'm sorry, baby.

Across the homestead...

Misty presents a difficult
proposition to her father, Marty

to get her
garden project underway.

I think his concerns are there are
a lot of things that could go wrong.

You're gonna try and pick up a piece
of equipment that's too heavy for the ex.

You're gonna try
and lower it over this bank,

you're gonna compromise
their retaining wall.

- What's happening?
- I need dirt work to happen.

- Of course.
- And in a possible place.

First of all, you've decided on going
ahead with building on that location.

Yeah, it's the only spot.

And it's sunny,
and it's gonna be great.

Is it gonna be easy? No.

So, I need your help.

- You need to bring the excavator and follow me.
- Okay.

Do you trust me?

- Dude!

- Dude.
- Where are we going?

Follow me.

These homesteaders
have chosen to live

in a very, very unique location.

However, Missy has a plan.

- Ta-da!
- Nice!

- What do you think?
- I love it.

But that plan demands some
type of specialized equipment.

What are you, advertising
a new refrigerator?

A new household appliance?

It slices, it dices,
it digs, it scrapes.

It cuts.
It also gives free therapy.

That's pretty good.
I like that. Do more.

That's it.
It's too embarrassing.

So clearly that machine has got
pick points where you can just grab it?

Dude, I'm way ahead of you.

- You ready to lift it right now?
- Yeah.

You'll still have issues.
How you getting that there?

Oh, it's the same plan.

Uh, lifting it with that, and
dropping it over the cliff.

I was afraid you were
gonna say that.

But now the question is,
how do you get

a specialized piece of
equipment to Missy's location.

- How much does that thing weight?
- It's 3,000 pounds.

Okay, let's hit it.

Lay it in there.

That's a girl.

Okay, I'm ready.

Oh, God!

Let her rip!
Eat my dust!

Good thing there's not a lot
of vehicles around here!

Yee-haw!

So, if there's any, like,
faultiness with the chains,

this thing will be, like, at
the bottom of this mountain.

No!

Oh, my God.

- Oh, my God.
- Hang on.

- Hang on.
- Dad, just set it down!

In the process of swinging it, one
of the chains flipped off the tooth

and the machine drops
about two feet.

I thought, "Done. It's going
to the bottom of the canyon."

I have to take it backwards.

I was just gonna say,
"Do you wanna go backwards?"

Also, I don't really like it
hanging over the edge.

Too--Too late.

I don't wanna work too quickly
and have something

disastrous take place.

I need to fix the chain.
Stop. Down. Down.

Oh, my gosh.
That was insane.

Okay, try that.

Look out.

Don't go so high.

Watch out!

Okay, moment of truth!

Dropping it once, bad on me.

Dropping it twice
is badder on me.

Ready? Pay attention, please.

Any movement
on the wall.

That mini excavator
holding the skid steer,

I was shaking.
It was terrifying.

That is so dangerous. This
mountain will just eat you up.

Okay, this is the big one.

How's that wall? Good?

- Marty, you did it.
- We did it, honey.

I unhooked everything,
I drove off into the sunset,

not so much of a hero.

But Misty, now, can go to work.

I am really excited to
see what is going to come of this.

On the Clarke
family homestead,

perched between two
of the deepest canyons

in the United States.

In Idaho's scorching summer sun,

Matt and Justin visit
Cayden's camp site

to check on his progress.

Hey, guys.

Wow.

You did all the work
by yourself?

This is great, man.

Today, we're going to separate
this platform

into three different pieces
that we will use as a base

for your future homes.

And it looks like it's super
easy to separate these things.

Let's do it, man.
Let's get them separated

and then let's move this
big one into a place

that you feel would be
a good spot.

- Over here?
- To put your new home.

Today is a really big day
because we're actually

breaking ground on one
of the new homes

for these homesteaders.

Brother working with brother.

My dad and I spent
so much time up here

trying to make this as sturdy
as possible because

we didn't want to have
to rebuild it in a few years.

Turns out that's exactly
what we're doing.

I mean, this thing
was built correctly

and will be used.

It did feel a little weird
to take apart the deck,

but at the same time,
it is cool that instead of

just destroying it,

we're gonna be repurposing
and turning it into something new.

All right, separate.

All right.

Okay.

We got it up on those blocks,
but it's not very level.

So, let's level the platform
like it is then

we'll start adding to it.

Okay.

Okay, put that block in there.

All right.

What do you call that?

That looks perfect.
That looks level.

We cut those platforms
into three different ones.

Got one leveled up
and ready to go.

For what we're going to do next,

which is try to build
an entire living space

on top of that thing.

Let's start bringing
materials in.

I can't believe all this.

Across the homestead,

Marty puts his excavator
skills to work.

I spent half a day inching,
clawing, scraping my way

around these tight corners
trying to make these hairpin

bends a little bit wider.

And it's come down to this.

The well driller is coming
tomorrow morning.

A dream come true.

We tried widening the road
and it is impossible.

But, Marty's gonna give it his
all and I think if anyone can do it,

he can do it.

The truck is, uh,
the well drilling truck

is 40 feet long, 60 tons.

So, that outside edge
has to hold because

they have to turn this corner.

We don't have 40 feet
of clearance.

The well guy's, like, abort.

He just won't do it.

That's why no one's ever
bought this property and lived on it.

What do you think?

Two thumbs up.

Magic touch.

I think they were pleasantly
surprised that there was

significantly more room.

Maybe shedding some ray
of hope on getting

a well-drilling machine here.

We're gonna test that
edge, here we go.

He's gonna show us how
firm that edge is.

He's going to make sure
that the...

- Oh, my gosh.
- If it don't hold this outside edge...

See, this is what
makes me so nervous.

Oh, my God.

-Want me to get closer?
-Oh, my gosh. No, you're scaring me.

What do you think?

Solid.

The question is, if a big rig
could now get around

the narrow sections,
are we wide enough?

They might have a chance
at drilling a well.

The truck is 40 feet long,
eight feet wide.

This is about where
the truck can start turning.

See?

Like, that's not going
to make it.

- Want a little bit out right there?
- Yes.

Okay.

They thought that one section of
road needed to be scratched out.

And, frankly, they were right.

I took out about two
or three feet.

It's gonna be really tight.
But I think you've got it.

I do too.

If that's it, I'll pack it
down and we're done.

Call that well driller,
get him up here.

Guess what, only one voice
is gonna weigh in

as to if a well drilling machine
is going to get right here or not.

And that voice belongs
to a well driller.

Now, when you look at
these platforms

that we've separated
into three different ones.

You see something
that's very square,

but we're actually gonna build
something that's got 10 sides.

Okay, it's gonna be a decagon.

At Justin's campsite...

You probably cut a board or two,

but you probably haven't cut
any angles

and I'll show you how
to do that.

...Matt begins a
masterclass in homestead construction

with Justin and Cayden.

This is definitely one of those "teach
someone how to fish" sort of situations.

I don't want to just build
people a home.

I want them to learn how
to build a home.

That was perfect.
Check this out.

And we just marry up
the two ends of these boards.

Obviously, we can't just go
straight in.

Dug in. Then pull it back.

You start it out, get a
little bit of a groove in there.

- And there you go.
- Nice.

So, each one of these sets
of two,

let's bring them over there and
we'll start putting it all together.

Okay, something like that.

All right, cool.

This thing is coming together.

Let's strengthen it
by putting in these blocks.

Slap one right here. Boom.

And then right here. Boom.

And then here. Boom.

- That'll be your job, kid.
- Okay.

I am blown away
by how much knowledge

Matt has been willing to share
with me.

Get in there, flush,
hold on to it.

Because I don't know
how to respond.

All I am is thankful.

Boom, boom, boom.

The more time they get
with tools in their hands,

doing the work themselves.

That's just going to carry on
to making this homestead

so much more successful
in the future.

You got this measurement,
you got that measurement.

I know they're stacking up,
but you can handle it.

- Hey, Misty, how are you?
- Good.

Across the homestead,

Misty unloads recycled lumber,
ahead of meeting with Bobbi.

I've always wanted to do this.

- This is the perfect place to do it.
- What?

Is build a geodesic dome
greenhouse.

A geodesic dome greenhouse
can be kind of complicated.

To combat the
homestead's weather extremes

and the challenges of
the unique clifftop location,

Misty will build
a geodesic greenhouse

which will feature windows
that allow for crop ventilation.

The strong triangle supports
and the aerodynamic shape

will enable the structure to
withstand the high mountain winds

much better than a standard
four sided greenhouse.

In addition, raised
garden beds will provide

extra space for crops
which will be protected

from the harsh mountain sun
by shade cloths

stretched over
reinforced tube frames.

-I don't think you need big,
-Okay.

Because you do have
this amazing summer.

So, this thing's only going
to be 10 feet.

- Perfect.
- And we're going to try and cram it on the top

of that knoll.

I love it. Let's get to work.

This just means the world to me.

She's got an ingenious plan,
so that we can have

a really extended
growing season.

I'm really excited and I want
to get in there

and start hammering some nails
and getting my hands dirty.

Because I really want to be
a part of this

and be, like, Misty
and I built this.

This is our greenhouse.

Okay, Bobbi and Jennifer,
you're on stain.

We're gonna stain all four sides

to protect it and then
we'll build little triangles.

Let's do this.

We're just
in full swing.

We're starting with the panels
for the geodesic dome.

We spent a lot of time getting the
original one, the template if you will.

Now, we've got our jig,
we've got our angles,

and now it should go quickly.

We're gonna bust out


Stain them, stretch some plastic on
them and then piece them together.

It's a very complex procedure.

More complex.

I feel like
we're basically doctors.

- We're doing greenhouse surgery.

Ta-da!

- It's amazing, right?
- And just sturdy.

Like, I think this is gonna be
able to withstand the winter.

The snow load and the heat
of the sun.

Soon as we're ready
to connect them,

it's gonna go really fast.

We're making a geodesic dome
greenhouse.

- We just got to do, like, a million of these.
- I love it.

- Let's do it.
- Easy.

All right, there we go.

The drill rig is coming up.

Below
the homestead...

the newly widened access road
faces its first critical test.

Today might be the most
crucial day this homestead's

ever seen because
a well-drilling truck

is going to try to make it up
to this homestead.

It weighs 60,000 pounds.

It's 40 feet long
and I'm hoping that

all my dad's hard work
to widen the road is enough.

I mean, the real crux
is right here.

Dad, can you hear me?

Yeah.

Marty in the excavator,
right at the very top

of the first steep hill

On standby.

We're ready to go.

This driveway is long.

There's a normal section
at the beginning.

Then there's a steep,
steep vertical rise.

If he makes it up that,
then he gets to

our two hairpin corners.

I've got the excavator poised
at the top of the first cliff.

Bobbi, Paul, and Matt
are on the hairpin corners.

This is it.
This is the crux moment.

Do they get water or don't they?

That drill rig
is coming in right now.

It's coming up this hill
pretty fast.

He's flying, he's flying,
I can see him now.

He's 100 yards away.

Here it comes, here it comes.

You've never had a truck
even try to come up here.

This is the first time it's
ever driven on the property.

This size, yes.

He's coming to
his first corner right now.

Let's see what happens.

Come on, Nick.

Ooh.

I don't know
if he's gonna make it.

I'm nervous.
I'm nervous. I'm nervous.

No.

-Ooh, he's gonna

Dang it.

I'm nervous. I'm nervous.

I'm nervous.

No.

Dang it.

This is terrifying.

Made it around the first corner.

Amazing.

This is just the first one.
This was the easy corner.

We're gonna try
that second corner.

This is where we dropped
our wheel

off the side of the mountain
pulling a trailer.

This is the scary one.

He's made it around

Yeah, buddy, yeah.

- Made it all the way around right there.
- Now we just need the water.

Now, we just need the water.

Oh, my gosh.

You guys ever think
you'd see that happen?

Never in a million years.

That was amazing.

We've got a rig that
just made it to the drill location.

So, this is a big day.

You made it.

- We got it up the hill.
- You made it!

How was the hill?

Spun the tires a bit,
but we made it.

The entire success
of this homestead

really revolves around the
fact that we can bring water.

Actual water out of the ground
right here on this property.

And right now, we have definitely
completed half of the battle.

How does that rate
as far as steep roads

with a rig that's 60,000 pounds?

I'd say that's as steep
as I've taken her up.

- I was pretty impressed with the old girl. Yeah.
- Really?

That may have been the steepest
road you ever went up with his rig?

- I think it is.
- I love it. Whoo!

- We made it.
- That's cool.

Still a lot of work ahead of us.

Still some sleepless nights.

And until I see the water
gushing out from the earth,

I don't know.

But, I'm really hopeful.

Okay, what's next?

Well, we're gonna head down.
We're gonna get the service truck

with all of our drill pipes.

Get it in place, back the
rig in and we'll be drilling.

This is awesome.

Why'd you call us all up here?

At Justin's
build site,

Matt gathers everyone with
something special to announce.

I've been promising
that we could stack and finish

not just one. Three homes.

We had to build these decks
to get ready and pave the way

for some people
that we contacted.

They're going to help us
make it so that

we can make homes
on these platforms

- Oh, my gosh.
- In a matter of days.

- And here they are...
- And here they are...

- What?
- Oh, my God.

The geodesic design
is a perfect marriage

of the sturdy arch
and the rigid triangle

which enables dome homes
to be extremely strong.

They can withstand high winds,
earthquakes, and heavy snow

making them ideal structures
for any type of environment.

Especially in an increasingly
volatile climate.

There's not a lot of structures

that all you have to do
is build a platform.

When I heard about
these domes, I was, like,

you can have three finished
homes

in a matter of basically a week.

You have three homes
in that van? That is crazy.

- They're heavy.
- Wow, Justin.

Whoo-hoo!

Oh, my goodness.
That's amazing.

This might be the best present
you could ever give somebody.

Here you go, Justin,
bring that over there.

It's probably going
to be right on one of these...

straight.

Yeah, I was thinking the
front door would go right here.

- Okay.
- I'm gonna put the window right here.

I'm just really excited
'cause it means that

I can actually come up
and live here.

- One down, two to go.
- Yeah. Let's do it.

Whoo!

One down, two to go.

Across
the homestead...

We put a couple of screws in.

Misty completes major
construction of the greenhouse.

And that's it. This is
the geodome greenhouse.

It's beautiful, amazing.

There's gonna be a door
to walk in

and we really maximized
the growing room.

We made the walking path
very tight on purpose.

Just to really give Bobbi
all the room she could need.

So, we got to throw a door in.

We got to fill this thing with
dirt and we're ready for plants.

All right. Now's the time.

Matt and Justin begin
the process of building a dome.

We basically have to go
over one side.

So the door will be over there.

Today, I'm going to teach Justin
how to build his own dome home

from the ground up.

And it's really the skills
that he needs to be able

to succeed on the homestead
long after I'm gone.

- Off the edge, we need to do two A's and two B's.
- Yeah.

When I first saw
all the pieces,

I was kind of nervous.

I'm, like, this is gonna be
hours in the hot sun

setting it up.

Take that off a second.

Justin is conquering this.

- But once we started going...
- Dude, it's happening.

That thing went up so fast...

There you go.

I know you can do it.

Whoo!

Yeah! Zenith.

Come out this way,
and then we'll see the door.

Try to give you slack.

I can handle it.

Beast mode.

This is cool. Zips.

You guys see that?

Kind of feel like that section
of the property

is going to become mine.

This is a huge moment.

We literally just finished
your house.

I'm really looking forward
to the future

when I can expand on it,
if I want to build

another structure like a cabin
or another dome.

We got two more to build.
I'm excited. Let's keep going.

All right.

Later
that afternoon...

All right.

Matt and Justin move to start building
a surprise for the youngest sibling.

I feel bad that Caitlyn
is not here,

but it'd be cool
to surprise her.

Yeah, she's actually at a
doctor's appointment right now.

She's showing some signs
of having a heart condition

similar to my dad's.

She'll actually be up later
and I'm really excited

to be able to surprise her
with her dome being up.

So, we're starting at the top.

We're gonna do it faster
from the top down.

There's a different method.

One strut at a time.

And we go to the left again.

This is already way faster.

All right, sir. Watch this.

The ends of the tarp.

Oh, man. I've never felt
stronger in my whole life.

Wow.

This is pretty cool.

- Do you like it?
- Yeah.

Come on in.

I'm really excited
for our domes.

I wish that I wouldn't have had
these health issues going on.

- What do you think?
- This is cool.

I had to go get
an echocardiogram.

And when I'm up here, I
just feel a lot more relaxed.

And I think that's just
something that's really important

for my physical health
as well as mental health.

Once me throw that skin
over this

and put a couple windows in.
It's done.

Okay.

What do you think?

It's gonna last a long time.

Yeah, we're coming this way.

This is just the beginning
and it sounds like you're happy.

So, good thing
to come up here too.

A week ago,
the Clarke family children

could only cram together in a
tent on a lone wooden platform

that could not withstand
the harsh winter winds

and heavy snowfall of Idaho.

Today, they have three
separate dome homes

complete with strong
vinyl coverings

that can survive multiple
forms of harsh weather.

I think having each one
of these young 'uns

build a platform,

break ground, build the dome,

have the tools in their hands,
getting that experience

and learning the tricks
of the trade

is just as valuable
as the finished home

because there's a lot
more projects here.

And now, they have a really
good idea of where to start.

And these domes are
in shady spots to ensure that

the kids will be comfortable
during the warmer months.

They'll be able to live up
here from spring to fall.

The most productive time
of the year.

The domes are done.

And I'm really excited for you.

And from here on out.
It's all yours.

Thank you.

We've got some
animal tracks right here.

It's big.

I mean, if it's a mountain lion,

- it's the world record mountain lion.
- Okay.

Huge.

My neighbor just sent me
this footage right now.

- Oh, wow.
- This is just two miles away.

As a new day dawns.

Okay, so lots to do today.

Misty makes headway
on supplementing

the food growth capability
of the greenhouse.

We're constructing raised beds.

We have three quarter inch
PVC pipe.

And at
the other end of the property,

Matt meets with Justin
and Cayden to take a look at

a discovery they've made
near Cayden's dome.

- Okay. What are we doing here?
- So...

We've got some animal tracks
right here.

We're not quite sure
if they are animal tracks,

- but...
- I see something right here.

When I come and stay here,
if I'm not staying in the dome,

I'm usually staying up
the hill behind me.

At night, you can feel
that there are things

around that know you're there,

that you don't know
where they are.

You'll hear a lot of noises
and howls and yips.

And I still hold that fear
of what could happen

if an animal was hungry enough
and somebody was here alone.

It's big. I mean,

if it's a mountain lion.

It's the world record
mountain lion.

- Huge.
- Okay.

But I'm thinking more maybe
like small black bear.

I love the fact that you guys
are starting to look down

and you're looking for signs
of animals.

If you want to find some prints.

I don't know if it's deer,
elk, wolf, bear, mountain lion.

We can find something.

At the top
of the mountain...

All right, going up.

The well-drilling team
prepares to punch up to 500 feet

into the earth in search
of an essential water source.

Stop right there.

- That's good.
- It's the first day of drilling.

And what does it take to drill
a well and find water?

It's not my first rodeo.

We went down at about 190 feet.

We hit a seam of coal.

Did you think we'd hit water
before now?

I probably thought about


we would have water.

It's not looking good.

- Hey, we got water.
- Look at that.

- Hey.
- Look.

Yeah, baby.

Cha-ching, baby.

We're down 10 feet.

So, looks like we're down


which is a start, you know,

that's, like, 1% maybe.

Every time we talk about
bringing in a well-drilling machine,

everybody acts like you're
guaranteed to get water.

But, I'm well aware that
this guy could go 500 feet

and not find one drop of water.

It happens, it happens in
Alaska and it happens in Idaho.

I got my eye on it.

Across
the homestead...

Sounds like trouble.

Matt meets with Bobbi
who has concerning news.

My neighbor from that direction

just sent me this footage
right now.

This is what is
in the forest right now.

- Oh, wow.
- There's two pictures.

Why is there so many together?

Bobbi just showed me a picture
of mountain lions

on a neighboring homestead.

And I was worried about
the problems before.

There's a lot of k*ll sites.

It's actually cranking up
the danger level.

- This is like the Death Valley of your property.
- Yeah?

But now this ramps things up
to 11.

That is wild.

I've never seen so many
in the same photo.

So, this is just literally
two miles away.

- Really?
- Yeah. That is crazy.

So, you've never seen
three together?

Not on, like, the same picture
or camera, no,

never like that.

Mountain lions
also called Cougars

maintain territories about


Adult males can weigh more
than 200 pounds.

Ferocious hunters,
mountain lions stalk their prey

which include animals as
big as elk, deer, and cattle.

As well as coyotes, raccoons,
feral hogs, and even porcupines.

No, go away!

Recently, mountain lions
have been encroaching

more and more
on civilized areas.

Go away!

In North America,


- No.

More than a fifth
of which were fatal,

have been documented.

Lot of predators
on this property.

It's terrifying.

Right now, it seems
like everybody in this family

is they're all going
to be living here.

And there's different
build sites,

they're all away
from each other.

And I mean, if this is
just right over there.

The mountain lions
are coming through here.

This place is wild, man.

Just waiting for these dogs
to strike.

Something's out there.
Something's out there.

I'm sure you're both well aware,

it doesn't matter
where you stand.

- You're gonna find sign.
- It's elk.

Yeah, so where there's elk,

there's mountain lion.

Where there's elk,
there's bears.

Where there's elk,
there's wolves.

In this part of Idaho
right here.

These kids are in the middle
of wilderness.

But, I've never seen
a homestead including ours

where there's been so much
carnage next to the cabin.

This place
is wild, man.

Look at where we're at.

I'm going to move on
to the safety.

What predators are going
to be attracted to which place

and making sure that these kids

can all feel safe living
in their individual spots.

We've made some progress.

We have taken out the corners
that were too tight

for the well driller.

We picked the spot,
the end of the narrow driveway

that goes down to their house.

It's right at the head of that.

To meet the
homesteaders' crucial power needs,

Marty will attempt
to implement solar energy.

Misty will create additional
capability for food

and to protect
the homesteaders' lives,

Matt will track and counteract
the predators

stalking the homestead

At this stage of the game,
I'm not sure we're going

to fully deliver everything
we've promised.

There's a lot of boxes
we haven't checked.

This is, like, crazy.

I wouldn't have expected Idaho
to feel and look just like this.

But it's like being
in the desert.

So, us hitting water
is not a guarantee.

I really hope that we can get
water.

Everything, I mean, everything
revolves around it.

Let's go.

Looks like somebody came up
with a plan.

Hey, morning.

With solar panels
en route,

Marty checks in with Paul
to discuss the process

of fixing the homestead's
power issue.

I come to the homestead,
I'm thinking, okay,

somewhere today, we have
to dig eight holes in the hot sun.

Assume you're preparing
for those panels.

You know, I am.

I go back to the area
where all those holes need

to be dug
and they're already dug.

Paul set a good example.

We decided right here
is the best.

You dug all these
by yourself?

- I had just a little bit of help.
- Good job.

Yeah, I like to see a
homesteader break a sweat.

Also, like them to make
a decision.

I don't want to make decisions
for people.

Where to put panels,
where to build a road.

- I mean, it's all you.
- Yeah.

So, this is a good sign.
I'm really impressed.

I don't know when you found
the time to dig this this morning.

It's deep enough,
it's big enough.

You fill that with concrete.
Never look back.

That dome will blow away before

anything that's attached to
that much concrete times eight.

Are you kidding me?

So, he's just doing what
he's supposed to be doing.

Whether I'm here
or whether I'm long gone.

Thanks, Marty.

For nothing.

Across the homestead,

Matt meets up
with a local friend

to help assess the property's
predator threat.

- Conrad, nice to see you again.
- How's it going?

Yeah.

We're meeting my buddy Conrad
to give his dogs

their best chance
of finding tracks

and being able to pursue whatever
is threatening this homestead.

I mean, you got the dogs.

They got the know-how
and the skill.

So, thank you for coming,

and trying to help out
not just me,

but help out these homesteaders.

It's always good to know
your surroundings.

What's out there as predators,
or you know,

the prey, that's
why they're there.

So what do we do?
What's the plan?

We let the dogs out.

And, um, come on, boy.

Put the collars on them and that helps
us know where they're at at all times.

Also gives us a general idea.

The GPS basically shows
the different roads

to where you can know
the strongest area.

And when we put them up here,

they'll bark, to open up
and let you know.

So, you're gonna literally
just be driving up this draw

- Uh-huh.
- right here and wait till these dogs tell you

- if there's anything out there?
- Yeah.

Okay.

Right now,
we're following behind.

And we're just waiting
for these dogs to strike.

Which means bark,
make any sound.

They're not going to make
a sound unless there's a bear

or a mountain lion in the area
that they smell.

Conrad has trained these dogs
and is so in tune

with every little noise,
every little movement,

the sound of their bark,
the tone.

We'll get a general idea
just how new, how fresh,

how close that predator animal
really is.

Conrad loves the hunt
and so do these dogs

and right now, everybody's
in their element.

This is what a strike

- Something's out there.
- Something's out there.

We got a strike
from the dogs.

And now they're going
out there, sniffing out

and seeing if they could get on
whatever animal that they're smelling.

It could be 100 feet away.

Could be a mile away.
I don't know.

So, you're Conrad's buddy
from a long time ago.

So, what's happening right now
is you got the GPS

with all these radio collars.

And you're basically
just in real time seeing

- where these dogs go?
- Yeah.

And this will give you
a really good idea

- of just how hot the trail could be.
- Yeah.

So, right now,
we're like grinding.

It's just the dogs out there.

Just trying to find,
find something

- Yeah.
- That those tracks...

- could lead to something.
-To get it moving. Yeah, exactly.

The closer they get,
the hotter they get.

Easier and faster
they'll be running.

They'll go from having
their head on the ground,

going from track to track
to running with their head up

and just running at full speed.

Depending on how much
these dogs freak out, basically.

That's a hard strike and that
means we have a really fresh scent.

And something was probably
just literally right there

within 100 yards of our truck.

Head down and just try
to get a hotter track,

- where you can just send them straight to whatever it is.
- Okay.

Definitely get a way clearer
picture of how this works.

And watching these dogs,

they covered so much ground.

Try to go after this old track.

And I think that, you know,
this track, it just went cold.

But, we're not done.
We're gonna keep on going.

We got, like, a hot pursuit.

- They're all...
- Three trees right here.

It's on right now.

They're moving.
Chasing something.

- Up there.

- This is crazy.

Across
the homestead...

the well team are nearly
halfway to their limit

in a desperate bid
to find water.

How are we doing?
How far gone are you?

Down almost 160,000 feet.

Everything's going good.
Hopefully, we get some water

coming out the hole
before too long.

Is it what you expected
or is it harder or what?

You know, it's doing all right.

I brought a rock hammer bit,

in case the rock gets too hard,

we can change it over again.

Knowing what you know now,

how deep
are you anticipating going?

Well, we brought


We're hoping we can hit water
somewhere around the 200,

- 300 range.
- Be amazing.

Get it deep enough for you
to set it up

and put it all together.

What can go wrong?

Oh, a lot of things
can go wrong,

you drop a wrench down the hole,

you're gonna have
a rock roll in on you.

You could have some old steel
in the hole

that just wants to break on you.

And, so when that happens,

you have to pull everything
out and start over?

Ah, if you can't fish
your tools out, yeah.

You're starting over.

We'll get this pipe down

and see if we can get a little
water flowing out the hole.

All right, guys, we'll let
you know how it's going.

All right.

These dogs are...
they're pros.

Across the homestead,

Matt and the hunting team
stay on the trail

of a dangerous predator
that has made its way

onto the Clarke family property.

It is truly amazing

just how involved and how
deep hunting with dogs really gets.

And the people that do it
and are successful at it,

I mean, they're master
dog trainers.

They're master hunters.

It's all about the passion.
I mean, it's a lifestyle.

Keeping this many dogs,
keeping them trained

and getting them out there
doing what they love to do.

Got a strike from the dogs.

And now they're going out there,

seeing if they can get on whatever
animal that they're smelling.

It could be 100 feet away,
it could be a mile away.

I don't know, you know,

but if they get on something
and go for it.

We at least have to go
to the dogs and see

what they're on.

So, right now, the dogs
are doing all the work for us,

but if they get onto something
and we might be in

for one heck of a hike.

Did you find anything? What'd
you see? What'd you see?

Fam. Family

Down the road,
there's a welcome distraction

from water worries.

- Check this out.
- This is really cool.

Wow.

We travel
with chainsaws.

When I look around
this homestead,

we're surrounded
by beautiful pine trees.

One had fallen down.

If I have time,
I'll carve one bear.

So, I thought who am
I gonna carve

and I thought I'm gonna
carve Paul.

Paul is a very serious guy.

- He's a thinker.
- So, this is Paul.

So, I carved one bear,
Then, I thought we'll make

Paul and Bobbi.

Now, can anybody in the room
guess who this is?

It might be a dreamer.

I see the parallels.

Then I thought, man,
I can't leave the kids out.

What was the name that you
gave your homestead location?

It's mountaintop.

Uh-huh. So come up.

Oh, right on.

- Wow.
- Get right in there. It's notched.

- Wow.
- Sweet.

That is so cool.

So, see
if that middle bear...

- There we are.
- Hideaway.

- Whip it out.
- It's an arrow.

Now, Bobbi,
let's just cut to the chase.

To try to condense you
in one word is very difficult.

You love this lifestyle.
You're crazy. You're cool.

You're always nice.

I gotta come up with one word
for you. So here it is.

Ah, yeah.

That's you.

Marty.

I can't do anymore crying.

Honey, that's, that's you
in one word.

Thank you.
Thanks, family.

Come here, you guys.

Come here.

Oh, my gosh.

This is just amazing.

To see how everybody
appreciated them

made it all worthwhile
and, um, makes me feel good.

- Let's put it in the bear.
- See if it fits.

- There you go.
- This is our family,

the five bears.

On the other side
of the mountain,

the hunting dogs strike again.

That was a strong strike.

That was a strong strike.

You think they're following
something?

Hunt something?

Yeah, chasing 'em.

We had two dogs that flew out
in front of everybody else.

We got, like, a hot pursuit.

And it's kind of ranging
all over.

They've circled and whatever
they're chasing

is definitely trying
to stay ahead and get away

and avoid this
as much as possible.

But, it's on right now.

We got down here
and now I got to read...

They're all three trees
right here.

- How far away?
- Point seven eighths of a mile.

Okay, well, right now,
what you're telling me

is something's probably tree'd.

- Mm-hmm.
- And we're, we're going to it in about a mile.

Yeah.

Well, let's do it.

Look up there.

We got a bear on top.

It's about 120 pound bear.

This bear ran off

and up this tree

and off of the property.

From what I heard from Conrad,

when you do this, it
definitely pushes predators.

It pushes them out.

Success.

Stars of the show right now.

These dogs.

You're barking up
the right tree.

So, we got dogs barking.

We got a bear up here
in the tree

and all of our time here
was a success.

Hey, I gotta hand it
to you, man.

You are a professional
and I think this is

the best thing I could
have ever done

with the help of my dad
and calling you up

and bringing 'em out
to literally scare this bear

away from the homestead.

We had success running
this bear off the property,

but there are still three
mountain lions on the prowl.

Fortunately, Conrad will continue
working with these homesteaders

after we leave and help deal
with this issue.

We're telling it don't
come back.

And I think it's definitely
gonna get the point.

He should get the point

All right, man.
Well, let's pack up and go.

- All right, I'll follow you.
- Okay.

With only one day
left to find water.

What do they look like?

Marty unveils
his electrifying surprise.

Right now, this second.

These things are actually
generating power.

Yes.

To know that we're gonna have
some energy to heat the water

to heat the dome,
to cool the dome.

This is unbelievable.

A week ago,
the Clarke family

had a single solar panel
capable of producing

only 150 watts of power.

This was not enough energy
to power much of anything

on the homestead.

Today, they have eight panels,
each capable of producing


which will allow the family

the ability to power their home,

allowing heat
in the freezing winters

and cool air
in the blistering summers.

This is the biggest day
on this homestead

since we arrived, okay?

- For sure.
- And we have an unknown.

The well driller
has not struck water.

Okay, Nic, fill us in.
What's the status?

We've been at it for a while.

Right now, no good news
coming out of that hole

in the ground.

All Raneys are leaving
this homestead today.

If we can't find water,
we're in trouble.

A real good pair of
work boots is pretty essential

on every homestead.

Like a cup and pan.

I need different boots.

Except for when it comes
to one job.

So, the idea is to make a shade
cloth curtain for the hoop house.

I don't think I've ever sewn
with big work boots on.

Can't really regulate the pedal.

So, I took one boot off.

It felt amazing.

And I'm like, okay,
both boots are coming off.

Oh, dang it.

Those curtains aren't gonna
sew themselves.

In the final hours
of the rescue,

the well team continues
to drill,

but the homestead is still
without an all important

water source.

Right now, no good news
coming out of that hole

in the ground.

All Raneys are leaving
this homestead today.

If we can't find water,
we're in trouble.

Okay, Nic, fill us in.
What's the status?

We've been at it for a while.

We're down 290 feet.

We, uh, got down. We started
hitting some rougher drilling.

What we're looking for is
some fractures in the rock,

so, we're gonna go down and
see if we got anything there.

Only one way to find out, so,

we'll run down the hole
and see what's going on.

So, there is no Plan B.

If we don't find water,

everything I did here is
going to be a complete waste.

Like, it's all riding
on you and this rig.

No pressure.

So, this could be
an impossible task.

It could be that we're
in the wrong spot.

There could be no water,
and we can't start over.

It's too much,
so if we can't get water...

I'm just gonna start crying.

Where's the water coming out?

Oh, it'll be coming right
out of the hole.

You won't miss it if it's there.

I'm gonna pull this pipe out
and go down the hole

and see what happens.

Thank you.

This is it,
this is now or never.

You heard
that expression?

Water is life. It's also life
and death today.

He's gonna pull out
and see what he has.

Looks like we got
a little water.

Oh, my God, are you kidding me?

Get in there, man.

Nic pulled
a few levers...

Looks like we got
a pretty decent amount.

Yeah!

And all of a sudden, water.

Spouting out of the hole.

And it turns out that it could
be five or 10 gallons a minute

which better than striking oil
for a homesteader.

We have water.

So happy.

We did it, baby.

This means everything to us.

We're able to sustain
ourselves through

all these other things
that we've done

that are completely dependent
upon water.

Now, we can do those things

and now we can live up here
which is what we want to do.

- Right?
- I don't...

I don't.

- Hmm.

- Hey, Misty, how are you?
- Good.

On the dome stead...

How's our greenhouse doing?

It's so good.

Misty reveals
the finished product

of the unique greenhouse
she's created

to Bobbi and Caitlyn.

Combine your amazing
greenhouse with the hoop houses.

You can grow anything
for everyone.

This is the most beautiful
thing I've ever seen.

And the hot sun is coming up
and instead of wilting,

they're thriving because
you're ingenious shade cover.

I love how these look
like covered wagons,

like a homesteader
on the Oregon Trail.

So amazing.

This is one of my favorite
builds because

it's so severe when it comes
to temperatures.

That trying to grow anything
at this location

in this elevation
is challenging,

but we've done it.

This is, like, one of the
most challenging homesteads

I've ever been to.

It's so beautiful,
at first glance,

you're just taken aback
by the views.

But, the more we walked around,

it was clear that Bobbi and
Paul really could use the help.

-So, you've got the
shade cloth, -Okay.

Which allows water
to go through.

- Yeah.
- But it protects the plants

from all the bad UV.

All the amount of sun
you get, the heat.

It protects them from the wind.

- Yes.
- And you guys get a ton of wind here.

But, that's not it because
you are taking just a little tape

and a little plastic.

-It turns it from raised bed
outdoor garden space -Wow.

To full blown greenhouse.

So, we went from
a tiny greenhouse

- to a giant greenhouse.
- Yeah.

This greenhouse with the
shade cloth is awesome.

A week ago,
on a rugged hillside

made up of decomposing granite.

The Clarke family had
no means or space to grow

and protect their own
natural food.

Today with the geodesic dome
greenhouse

and garden with cloth coverings.

The family can finally grow
their own food

and do it in a fashion where
it will survive and flourish.

What are you thinking?
You like it?

Yeah, I think it's really
exciting that Bobbi has

a place to garden because I know

how much she loves her garden.

Okay, well, this is
your forever garden.

- I love it.
- Caitlyn help her because it's a lot of food.

- Mm-hmm.
- So, you gotta help her grow

and you got to help her eat.

- I can do that.

- Okay? You're so welcome.
- Thanks, sweetie.

I love you.

I'm just relieved.

Love you, guys.

to leave knowing that
these guys

have a fighting chance.

Caitlyn, I actually want
to teach you how to do this.

With the homestead
projects completed,

the Raneys meet with
the family for the last time.

We made it.

Just a little over
a week ago,

we came up a steep windy road
that ended at

a quaint little dome.

We pulled in no water, no power,

no garden, no greenhouse.

We started chipping away.

Now, you have water.
You have power.

So much generosity.
It's overwhelming.

My gratitude is overflowing.

Yeah, I think giving us
all our own space

is actually going to allow us
to all grow closer

because we're not going to
be on top of each other 24/7.

Cliche as this sounds,
this was a dream of ours

to be able to get to a point
where we could self-sustain.

For the first time,

I'm feeling some relief.

It's hard to articulate
how thankful I am.

There's another homesteader
out there that's waiting.

And I hope they're half
as cool and appreciative

and deserving as your family.

This family now has gardens,
greenhouse,

three individual cabins.

And I think the homesteaders
maybe for the first time,

can truly say there's no place
like dome.

- See you later.
- Thanks.

The garden is thriving,
we're able to enjoy

the fruits of our labor.

- We have some lights.
- Because we have power.

We can have a fridge.

Water, now we have
a reliable source.

The shower is the biggest
luxury of all.

The predator issue,

we're ready to engage
Conrad again.

- This will help us.
- This is my place.

Taken a huge weight
off of my shoulders.

They gave us our life back.

He's been in a
wheelchair and worked himself out

of the wheelchair,

and I don't want
to risk losing him.

This isn't a homestead.

This is a snake infested swamp.

I k*lled eight large water
moccasins on my property.

- You guys have alligators?
- Absolutely.

That land we plan on
farming with, it's underwater.

We lost about a third
of our livestock to predators.

It's time to drain the swamp.

The Salvation is here
on this homestead.

What an amazing thing
to be a part of.

- Thank you.