Ep 2. One If by River, Two If by Air
- October 13, 2020
In Homestead Rescue season 8 episode 2, titled "One If by River, Two If by Air," Marty, Misty, and Matt are called to Alaska to help the Ortmans, a family living along the Tanana River. The Ortmans are homesteading off the grid and have been struggling to survive the harsh Alaskan winters.
When the trio arrives, they find the Ortmans living in a small cabin with no running water or electricity. They are surviving solely on the fish that they catch in the river, but their meager supplies are quickly running out. The Ortmans are concerned about the coming winter and fear that they will not have enough food and supplies to make it through.
Marty, Misty, and Matt quickly get to work, first assessing the immediate needs of the Ortmans. They determine that the family needs a reliable source of drinking water, as their current source is contaminated with bacteria. The trio sets out to find a new water source, and after some trial and error, they successfully locate a clean stream nearby.
Next, the team turns their attention to the Ortmans' food supply. They teach the family how to build a smokehouse and demonstrate how to properly smoke fish so that it will last throughout the winter. Marty, Misty, and Matt also help the family to build a greenhouse, showing them how to grow their own vegetables year-round.
As the team works on improving the Ortmans' homestead, they face a new challenge: a massive wildfire is heading towards the area. The fire threatens to destroy everything in its path, including the Ortmans' homestead. Marty, Misty, and Matt quickly spring into action, using their experience and knowledge to create a firebreak around the property and protect the homestead from the flames.
Throughout the episode, viewers are treated to stunning shots of the Alaskan wilderness, including the Tanana River and the surrounding forests. The Ortmans' resilience and determination to survive in such a harsh environment is also a major theme, as the family works alongside the Homestead Rescue team to improve their homestead and prepare for the coming winter.
Overall, "One If by River, Two If by Air" is an exciting and action-packed episode of Homestead Rescue, packed with practical advice and stunning cinematography. Viewers will root for the Ortmans as they struggle to overcome the challenges of living off the grid in one of the most rugged and beautiful places on Earth.