Buying Alaska - Isolated village

Narrator: THIS IS "BUYING ALASKA." OH, THERE ARE SOME WHALES RIGHT THERE. ONE COUPLE LOOKING FOR A HOME DISCOVER THE TOWN OF GUSTAVUS. GORGEOUS HERE. IT'S THE ISOLATED VILLAGE WHERE THE WILDLIFE RULE. [ BEAR ROARS ] I DON'T EVEN FEEL SAFE RIGHT NOW. Narrator: THERE'S A HOME THAT'S MORE LIKE A CEMETERY FOR MOOSE... Jolene: THERE'S BONES EVERYWHERE. Narrator: ...AN ALASKAN HOT TUB THAT'LL GROSS YOU OUT... AND A MYSTERY HOUSE... Sean: ONE HECK OF A DINOSAUR THERE. ...WITH A SECRET ROOM. DID NOT EXPECT TO SEE THIS. THIS IS ALASKA, THE LAST AMERICAN FRONTIER. Woman: [ Chuckling ] WOW. Narrator: THESE ARE THE DREAMERS WHO WANT TO LEAVE THE MANIC RUSH OF THE CITY BEHIND AND OWN A PIECE OF THE UNTAMED NORTH. FROM BOATHOUSES TO OUTHOUSES, WHERE'S THE LIGHT? ...TO JUST PLAIN BEARS. THIS IS THE LAST AMERICAN OUTPOST OF WILDERNESS. FOR THESE ADVENTUROUS HOMEBUYERS, IT'S ALASKA OR BUST. -- Captions by VITAC -- www.vitac.com CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS SEAN SMITH AND JOLENE RIELLY ARE TRAVELING TO AN ALASKAN ADVENTURE THAT WILL CHANGE THEIR LIVES. Man: ALL ABOARD! OH, THERE ARE SOME WHALES RIGHT THERE. THEY'RE EVERYWHERE. IT'S CRAZY. THEY'RE BOTH BORN AND RAISED IN JUNEAU, THE CAPITAL OF ALASKA, BUT THEY GET OUTSIDE THE CITY LIMITS AS MUCH AS THEY CAN. [ LAUGHS ] Sean: I GREW UP HUNTING AND FISHING AND GETTING IN THE OUTDOORS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. Narrator: THESE TWO HUNT AND FISH AS AN AFFORDABLE WAY TO PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE. Sean: WELL, BETWEEN THE MOOSE AND THE SOCKEYE HARVEST THAT WE DO EVERY YEAR, WE FILL UP THREE TO FOUR FREEZERS IN A SEASON. Narrator: NOW THEY WANT TO BUY A HOUSE TOGETHER IN A PLACE WHERE THERE IS SO MUCH WILDLIFE, IT PRACTICALLY JUMPS ONTO YOUR DINNER PLATE. IT'S THE ISOLATED TOWN OF GUSTAVUS. ONLY 37 SQUARE MILES, GUSTAVUS IS SURROUNDED BY THE GLACIER BAY NATIONAL PARK AND STRAITS OF THE PACIFIC OCEAN TO THE SOUTH. THERE ARE NO ROADS IN OR OUT OF GUSTAVUS. THE ONLY WAY TO GET THERE IS A 3-HOUR FERRY RIDE FROM JUNEAU OR A 25-MINUTE PLANE FLIGHT. SEAN AND JOLENE ARE ON THEIR WAY TO GUSTAVUS TO FIND THEIR NEW HOME. THIS WOULD BE MORE THAN JUST A HOME FOR JOLENE AND I. IT'D BE MORE OF A CENTRALIZED AREA WHERE ALL OF OUR FAMILIES CAN GET TOGETHER. YOU GOT TO HAVE ROOM TO HOST. IT'S ALWAYS NICE TO HAVE SOME WILDLIFE RIGHT OUTSIDE YOUR FRONT DOOR. Jolene: I NEED A BIG KITCHEN. Sean: HAVING SOME STORAGE IS REALLY IMPORTANT. GUSTAVUS HAS A SMALL REAL-ESTATE MARKET, SO OUR BUDGET DEFINITELY HAS TO BE FLEXIBLE. I THINK WE'RE LOOKING ANYWHERE FROM ABOUT $250,000 TO $300,000. Narrator: ON LAND, SEAN AND JOLENE MEET UP WITH LOCAL REALTOR WHIT WEAVER. HI. Narrator: YOU THINK GUSTAVUS IS ISOLATED -- WHIT TAKES THEM ANOTHER 30 MINUTES FROM THE CENTER OF TOWN TO SEE THEIR FIRST HOUSE. GUSTAVUS IS A REAL LAID-BACK COMMUNITY. THERE'S APPROXIMATELY 650 REGISTERED VOTERS. IT HAS NO BUILDING PERMITS AND NO PROPERTY TAXES AND NO POLICE FORCE. Narrator: SEAN AND JOLENE PLAN ON TAKING WHATEVER KIND OF JOBS THEY CAN FIND IN GUSTAVUS. THEY FEEL IT'LL BE WORTH IT TO LIVE NEAR SO MUCH WILDLIFE. THIS PLACE IS WAY OFF THE BEATEN PATH, AND IT'S AT A DEAN END, SO I REALLY LIKE THE FACT THAT IT'S WAY OUT OF THE WAY. Jolene: THIS IS BREATHTAKING. DEFINITELY HAS SOME UNIQUE ASPECTS. INTERESTING DESIGN, FOR SURE. WHAT'S THAT OVER THERE? THERE'S BONES EVERYWHERE. Sean: THERE'S HORNS HANGING FROM EVERY NOOK AND CRANNY. THERE ARE BONES PILED IN THE LAWN, AND SKULLS AND ANTLERS HANGING IN EVERY CORNER OF THE PROPERTY. Weaver: THIS PROPERTY IS ON 2½ ACRES, 1,400 SQUARE FEET. THERE'S A GUEST CABIN OVER THERE AND A 600-SQUARE-FOOT GARAGE. BEHIND THE GUEST CABIN, THAT'S ALL NATURE CONSERVANCY STATE LAND TO THE EAST. Narrator: THE HOUSE FEELS LIKE IT'S IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE, BUT IT STILL GETS CITY POWER AND WATER FROM A WELL. Weaver: HERE'S THE FIRE PIT OVER HERE. Narrator: ALASKA IS KNOWN FOR BEING QUIRKY, AND THIS PLACE LIVES UP TO THE STATE'S REPUTATION. THE FIRE PIT'S JUST AS WEIRD AS THE YARD. THE CURRENT OWNER CALLS IT "WOODHENGE." Sean: IT'S SUCH A COOL DESIGN. I'VE NEVER SEEN SOMETHING LIKE THAT BEFORE. OH, MAN. Jolene: OH. WOW. I SEE MOOSE TRACKS BASICALLY LEADING ALL OVER THE PLACE. THEY'RE GOING THIS WAY. THEY'RE GOING THAT WAY. THOSE ARE BIG TRACKS. IT FEELS LIKE A MOOSE COULD POP OUT OF THESE WOODS AT ANY SECOND AND BE RIGHT IN OUR FRONT LAWN. THIS, I THINK, WOULD BE A NICE PLACE TO BASE-CAMP YOUR HUNTING. THAT'S EXCITING. WATCH YOUR HEAD THERE. WHOA! WOW! WOW! THIS IS REALLY SPACIOUS. Weaver: GOT A MEZZANINE UP THERE TO KEEP EXTRA JUNK. LOTS OF SPACE. Sean: I REALLY LIKE THE FINISHED GARAGE. MAKING GOOD USE OF THE AREA. THIS IS GREAT. YOU GUYS WANT TO CHECK OUT THE GUEST CABIN? YES. LOOKS LIKE THE POWER ISN'T QUITE HOOKED UP ANYMORE. WELL, EVIDENTLY, THE SQUIRRELS MIGHT HAVE CHEWED THROUGH THE POWER CORDS. SQUIRRELS? YEAH, THEY CHEW RIGHT THROUGH THE SIDING. IS THAT...COMMON? YEAH. HAD A LITTLE RODENT-INFESTATION PROBLEM. HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH THAT? WITH A B.B. GUN. [ CHUCKLES ] THAT'S SO SAD. Narrator: YOU SEE A LOT OF OUTHOUSES IN ALASKA, BUT THIS ONE'S WAY OUT -- IT HAS NO WALLS! Sean: THE "OUTBENCH." THE OUTBENCH. THAT'S... DEFINITELY...RUSTIC AND SCARY. THAT'S NOT GONNA CUT IT. THAT'S A BIT TOO ROUGHING IT FOR ME. THIS IS A LITTLE MUSHY SOME PLACES. YEAH, IT'S A WETTER PROPERTY. Narrator: THE TOWN GETS OVER 2½ TIMES AS MUCH RAIN AND SNOW AS THE "RAIN CITY" OF SEATTLE. Sean: THIS SOGGY PROPERTY COULD BE A PROBLEM IF THE FOUNDATION ISN'T SET VERY WELL. WATCH YOUR STEP, BABE. Narrator: AND LOOK AT THIS -- THE STAIRS TO THE HOUSE ARE SINKING RIGHT INTO THE MUD. WE DEFINITELY NEED TO PUT SOME WORK INTO THE STEPS AND MAKE SURE THAT THOSE ARE, YOU KNOW, IN WORKING CONDITION. I LIKE THE DOUBLE MOOSE HANGING UP THERE -- GOOD-LOOKING ANIMALS. THEY WERE. OH. WOW! Sean: HOLY... LOOK AT HOW FINISHED THIS PLACE IS. Jolene: I WASN'T EXPECTING THIS AT ALL, JUST LOOKING AT IT FROM THE OUTSIDE. IT'S JUST BREATHTAKING. EVERYTHING IS IN FRONT OF YOU WITH THE OPEN FLOOR PLAN, WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT I WANT. Weaver: THERE'S A WOOD STOVE OVER THERE. IT'S A BIG ONE, TOO. LOOKS LIKE THAT CAN DEFINITELY HEAT THIS WHOLE THING, NO PROBLEM. BATHROOM OVER HERE? YEAH. JUST HAS A SHOWER STALL, SINK, AND A TOILET. IT'S NICE AND BIG. OH. YEAH, GOT A LOT OF IRON IN THE WATER. THAT'S WHAT MAKES THE BROWN. EW. WELL, THAT DEFINITELY LOOKS LIKE IT NEEDS REPLACING. Narrator: LOTS OF HOUSES IN GUSTAVUS HAVE THIS PROBLEM. IT COMES FROM IRON SEEPING OUT OF ROCKS IN THE GROUND INTO THE WATER SYSTEM. YOU CAN FIX IT WITH A WATER-SOFTENER SYSTEM, BUT THAT CAN RUN UPWARDS OF $2,700. THAT'S A BIG ISSUE FOR ME. I LOVE THIS KITCHEN AND THE SHELVING UP TOP. THAT BAY WINDOW IS GORGEOUS. Sean: SO, IT'S ON WELL WATER. IS IT DRINKABLE WATER, OR... SOME PARTS OF GUSTAVUS HAVE HIGHER-THAN-ACCEPTABLE LEVELS OF ARSENIC. IT HAS FILTERS THAT TAKES THE ARSENIC OUT OF THE WATER. THAT'S NICE. [ BOTH CHUCKLE ] THIS IS REALLY NEAT. HERE IS THE CLOSET AREA. Sean: JOLENE LIKES HER SHOES, AND THAT CLOSET SPACE DIDN'T LOOK LIKE IT HAD ENOUGH FOR HOLDING ALL OF HER STUFF. WHERE ARE ALL OF YOUR SHOES GONNA GO? [ CHUCKLES ] THE ONLY CONCERN I HAVE ABOUT THIS MASTER BEDROOM IS IT'S -- YOU KNOW, IT'S VERY OPEN AND NOT A LOT OF PRIVACY. MAYBE A LITTLE TOO OPEN. Weaver: THERE'S A BARBECUE TO YOUR LEFT. OH, YEAH. Narrator: BUT WHEN JOLENE SEES WHAT'S ON THE BACK PORCH... SO, WHAT'S THE PURPOSE OF THIS SWINGING DOOR HERE? ...SHE WORRIES WHAT'S WATCHING HER IN THE HOUSE. I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THAT. Narrator: SEAN SMITH AND JOLENE RIELLY WANT TO BUY A HOME TOGETHER, A THREE-HOUR FERRY-BOAT TRIP FROM THE NEAREST BIG CITY OF JUNEAU... OH, THERE ARE SOME WHALES RIGHT THERE. ...IN THE ALASKAN WILDERNESS TOWN OF GUSTAVUS. BUT ON THE BACK PORCH OF THE FIRST HOUSE THEIR REALTOR, WHIT, SHOWS THEM, THE WILDLIFE MAY BE TOO WILD. SO, WHAT'S THE PURPOSE OF THIS SWINGING DOOR HERE? WELL, SO THE BEARS CAN COME ON THE BACK PORCH, AND THEY CAN LEAVE PROMPTLY -- COME ON THE PORCH, AND THEY TRY TO GET IN THE FREEZER. YOU CAN'T STOP BEARS FROM TRYING TO GET AT THE SMELL OF FOOD, SO THE SWINGING DOOR MAKES IT EASY FOR BEARS TO COME AND GO WITHOUT KNOCKING THROUGH THE WALL. I DON'T EVEN FEEL SAFE RIGHT NOW. OH-KAY. [ CHUCKLES ] MIGHT WANT TO SECURE THIS UP A LITTLE MORE. Weaver: WELL, I HAVE SOMETHING A LITTLE SPECIAL TO SHOW YOU. OH. WOW! THIS GREENHOUSE WOULD DEFINITELY SAVE US A LOT OF MONEY. Narrator: IN GUSTAVUS, TO GET YOUR FOOD FRESH AS POSSIBLE, YOU HAVE TO FLY IT IN FROM A MARKET IN JUNEAU, AND THAT CAN ADD UPWARDS OF $50 TO YOUR GROCERY BILL. Weaver: SO, YOU CHECKED OUT THE WHOLE PROPERTY. WHAT DO YOU THINK? HAS SO MANY THINGS TO OFFER, WITH THE GARAGE AND HAVING THAT WHOLE WORKSPACE AND STORAGE. SO, I'M A LITTLE WORRIED TO ASK, BUT WHAT IS THE OWNER ASKING FOR THIS PLACE? THE OWNER IS ASKING $220,000. NOT BAD AT ALL. THERE'S DEFINITELY SOME CONCERNS WITH THE PROPERTY -- THE PORCH AND STAIRS, THAT'S GONNA BE A PRETTY HEFTY EXPENSE. I'M WONDERING IF THIS IS ENOUGH SPACE FOR US. WE HAVE A BIG FAMILY, AND I DON'T WANT TO PUT OUR GUESTS OUT IN THE FRONT LAWN. Narrator: THERE'S NO RUSH FOR A DECISION. WHIT HAS ANOTHER PROPERTY TO SHOW THEM. SEAN AND JOLENE TRAVEL THROUGH DENSE WOODED AREAS TOWARDS THE NEXT HOUSE, ABOUT 30 MINUTES OFF THE MAIN ROAD. WOW. Weaver: THIS PROPERTY IS ON FOUR ACRES. THERE'S A WOODSHED AND A GENERATOR SHED. GREAT. Narrator: THE HOUSE IS ONE OF THE FEW PLACES IN GUSTAVUS THAT SITS HIGHER THAN THE WATER TABLE, SO THE GROUND DOESN'T GET SOGGY. Weaver: AND IT BACKS UP TO STATE LAND ON THE NORTH SIDE, AND YOU'RE SURROUNDED ON THE LEFT SIDE BY THE SALMON RIVER. Sean: THIS IS AN INTERESTING TYPE OF FENCE THAT WE HAVE HERE. Weaver: YEAH, THAT'S A TALL FENCE -- KEEP THE MOOSE OUT OF THE YARD. IT'S BUILT UP TO PREVENT THE MOOSE FROM ENTERING INTO THE YARD -- NOT NECESSARILY ATTRACTIVE TO US. WE MIGHT TAKE IT DOWN AND GIVE A LITTLE MORE ACCESS TO THE ANIMALS. Jolene: I CAN SEE MYSELF SITTING ON THE FRONT PORCH IN THE MORNING, SIPPING MY COFFEE, JUST WAITING FOR A MOOSE TO STROLL BY. SO HERE WE HAVE THE SALMON RIVER. WOW! YOU CAN FISH FROM YOUR YARD. THAT IS GORGEOUS! GREW UP DOING A LOT OF FISHING. WHIT SAYS THERE'S A LOT OF FISH THAT RUN THROUGH THERE, SO I'M REALLY EXCITED. GO OUT AND CATCH DINNER, THROW IT ON THE BARBECUE AT NIGHT -- BE THE IDEAL END TO A DAY. WOULDN'T YOU SAY? Weaver: LOOK AT THE OLD GENERATOR. WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS OLD ONE-CYLINDER GENERATOR? OH, MY GOODNESS. IT'S ONE HECK OF A DINOSAUR THERE. THE OLD-SCHOOL GENERATOR LOOKED LIKE IT WAS MADE RIGHT IN THE 1950s OR SOMETHING. SO, THE OLD CRANK-STYLE? HAND CRANK. DRIVING IN, WE DIDN'T SEE ANY ELECTRICAL WIRES, AND SO WHEN WE FIRST SAW THE GENERATOR, IT MADE ME A LITTLE NERVOUS. I WASN'T SURE IF THAT WAS THE ONLY SOURCE OF ENERGY AROUND HERE. Narrator: BUT, YES, THE HOUSE IS CONNECTED TO ELECTRICITY. WITH A PLACE THIS REMOTE, THE PEOPLE OF GUSTAVUS DON'T WANT THEIR POWER GOING OUT, SO THEY RUN THEIR ELECTRIC CABLES UNDERGROUND TO KEEP THEM SAFE FROM THE SEVERE ALASKAN WINTER. Jolene: WELL, I DON'T WANT TO WAIT ANY LONGER. LET'S GET INSIDE THAT HOUSE. SO THAT HAS A KIND OF AN INTERESTING DESIGN TO IT THERE. I'VE NEVER SEEN A SHAPE OF HOUSE LIKE THAT BEFORE. Narrator: THE STYLE WAS DESIGNED BY THE U.S. FOREST SERVICE. WATER AND SNOW SLIDE RIGHT DOWN THE STEEP, SLOPING SIDES. DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT SHOVELING THE ROOF, THEN. NO. THAT'S ONE PLACE YOU WON'T HAVE TO SHOVEL. Sean: I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE WHAT'S INSIDE THERE. IT'S FUNKY. COME ON IN. WOW! THIS WAS WHAT IT WAS LIKE IN 1973. Sean: HOLY WOOD PANELING, BATMAN. LOOKS OLD. THE PANELING ON THE WALL, THE APPLIANCES ARE ALL LOOKING PRETTY OUTDATED AND IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT. BUT THE FIRST THING I NOTICED, AS SOON AS I WALKED IN, I MEAN, YOU CAN SEE EVERYTHING. AND IT HAS A BEAUTIFUL WOOD STOVE. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THAT. THIS DEFINITELY NEEDS A RAILING. SEEING THE STAIRCASE ABSOLUTELY FRIGHTENS ME. THERE IS NO GUARDRAIL. Sean: IT LOOKS LIKE THE PROJECTS ARE LINING UP FOR ME. GOING UPSTAIRS INTO THE BEDROOMS, I'M THINKING, WOW. YOU CAN REALLY SEE THE CONTOURS OF THE ROOF. AND IT JUST ADDS TO THE UNIQUENESS OF THE BEDROOMS. BIG BATHROOM IN HERE. WOW. OH. WOW! [ Chuckling ] YES. THIS IS WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT. Narrator: NO ONE WILL BE SLEEPING ON THE FLOOR IN THIS HOUSE. THERE ARE THREE BEDROOMS. BUT WHAT MAKES THIS PLACE REALLY SPECIAL LIES BELOW THE REST OF THE HOUSE. Weaver: THIS IS ONE OF ONLY A FEW HOMES IN GUSTAVUS THAT I KNOW OF THAT HAS AN ACTUAL BASEMENT. Sean: WHOA! WELL, I HAVE SOMETHING A LITTLE SPECIAL TO SHOW YOU IN THE NEXT ROOM. OH, MY GOODNESS! THIS IS HUGE! Narrator: THE REMOTE ALASKAN TOWN OF GUSTAVUS GETS SO MUCH RAIN, MOST OF THE GROUND IS TOO SOGGY TO SUPPORT A BASEMENT IN A HOUSE. BUT WHIT IS SHOWING SEAN AND JOLENE ONE OF THE VERY FEW THAT DOES HAVE A BASEMENT AND A SECRET IN A BOTTOM BACK ROOM. OH, MY GOODNESS! THIS IS HUGE! THAT'S A SCREEN. WOW! DID NOT EXPECT TO SEE THIS IN THIS HOUSE. NO. NOT AT ALL. THIS HOUSE IS STRAIGHT OUT OF THE '70s, AND THEN WE WALK INTO THIS THEATER, AND IT'S COMPLETELY WIRED -- SPEAKERS AND EVERYTHING. SO, THERE'S NO MOVIE THEATER IN TOWN. IT'S A GREAT WAY TO MAKE FRIENDS, RIGHT? WITH GUSTAVUS NOT HAVING ANY MOVIE THEATER IN TOWN, IT WOULD REALLY BE GREAT TO HAVE A HOME THEATER -- NOT GET CABIN FEVER OR FEEL LIKE WE'RE TOO COOPED UP. Weaver: SO, WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE HOUSE? IT'S GOT FOUR ACRES. IT'S ON THE RIVER. IT'S GOT THREE BEDROOMS AND A FULL BASEMENT. GOT A LOT OF THINGS ON OUR LIST, MOVIE THEATER. DEFINITELY A LOT OF WORK THAT WOULD GO INTO IT, I THINK -- A FEW SAFETY HAZARDS. LOT OF THE UPGRADES. THERE'S ONLY ONE MORE QUESTION LEFT TO ASK, AND THAT'S THE OLD PRICE TAG. THEY'RE ASKING $350,000. $350,000. FOR THE AMOUNT OF MAINTENANCE, AMOUNT OF WORK WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO PUT INTO THE PLACE... IT'S GONNA END UP BEING CLOSER TO $400,000, DEFINITELY. MY BIGGEST CONCERN IS NOT THE ACTUAL WORK THAT HAS TO BE DONE, BUT GETTING MATERIALS HERE. WE WOULD HAVE TO GET ON A BOAT, GO TO JUNEAU, GO TO A HOME-IMPROVEMENT STORE, GET BACK ON A BOAT, TRUCK IT OUT, AND IF WE DON'T HAVE EVERYTHING WE NEED, THAT'S GONNA MEAN MORE THAN ONE TRIP, AND I JUST CAN'T EVEN IMAGINE THAT. Narrator: THEY'VE SET OUT TO LOOK AT A THIRD HOUSE. IT'S CLOSER TO THE CENTER OF TOWN THAN THE OTHER TWO. Sean: IT'S RIGHT ON THE ROADWAY, AND, YOU KNOW, BEING REALLY CLOSE TO THE TOWN MAKES IT EASILY ACCESSIBLE AND EVERYTHING. Weaver: THIS IS ON FIVE ACRES, GOT A WOOD-FIRED HOT TUB OVER THERE, SMOKEHOUSE OVER THERE. WOODSHED'S OVER THERE. IS THERE MUCH HUNTING IN THE IMMEDIATE AREA? WELL, YOU SHOULDN'T REALLY GO HUNTING IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, BUT THERE'S MOOSE WANDERING AROUND. SO IT'S NOT NATURE CONSERVATORY OR STATE? NO, NO. IT'S ALL PRIVATE LAND AROUND HERE. Narrator: YOU CAN'T BAG YOUR DINNER FROM THIS HOUSE, BUT YOU CAN SMOKE IT. Weaver: HERE'S A LITTLE SMOKEHOUSE. WHEN YOU GET SOME SOCKEYES, BRINE THEM UP. Narrator: THIS SMOKEHOUSE IS AN OLD ALASKAN DO-IT-YOURSELFER. THE CURRENT OWNER MADE IT FROM COTTONWOOD BOARDS THAT A NEIGHBOR THREW AWAY. YOU GET A LITTLE FIRE GOING AND LET IT SMOKE FOR, YOU KNOW, 10, 12 HOURS. WE BOTH GREW UP EATING SALMON, ESPECIALLY SMOKED SALMON, SO THE IDEA OF HAVING THAT ON THE PROPERTY IS REALLY EXCITING. IT'S GOT A GOOD FISHY SMELL TO IT. IT SMELLS YUMMY. WELL, YOU WANT TO GO CHECK OUT THE WOODSHED? LET'S DO IT. NICE DRY PLACE TO CHOP WOOD. Sean: WHEN I SAW ALL THE CUT-UP WOOD, IT MADE ME THINK THAT THERE WAS A NICE WOOD STOVE INSIDE. Narrator: BUT THE ANSWER IS NO -- THE WOOD IS FOR A HOT TUB. Weaver: THIS IS A WOOD-FIRED HOT TUB. YOU BUILD THE FIRE IN THE BOX THERE, ABOUT, YOU KNOW, SIX, EIGHT HOURS BEFORE. Narrator: IT'S A MAKESHIFT KIND OF LUXURY. THE TUB IS AN OLD WOOD BARREL. THE ROOF OF THE HOUSE CATCHES RAINWATER AND FEEDS IT DOWN A PIPE INTO THE TUB. THE HOT TUB IS IN KIND OF ROUGH SHAPE -- DON'T WANT TO GO DIP MY TOES IN THERE JUST YET. KIND OF SCUMMY-LOOKING. BUT I LOVE THE IDEA. YOU CAN'T BEAT A GLASS OF WINE AND A HOT TUB IN THE EVENING. I LOVE THIS DECK -- YEAH. A VERY LARGE DECK. YEAH, WHEN WE HAVE OUR FAMILY GET-TOGETHERS, WE KIND OF SPILL OUT INTO THE OUTDOORS. I MEAN, THIS WOULD JUST BE PERFECT FOR A BARBECUE IN THE SUN -- THE CHAIRS OUT HERE. Weaver: COME ON IN. OH. WOW. THIS IS BEAUTIFUL. SEE, ALL THE BEAMS WERE CUT FROM TREES GROWING ON THE PROPERTY. AND I LOVE THE CEILING. TO SEE SOMETHING THAT'S REALLY CUSTOM-BUILT IN A PLACE WHERE THERE'S NO BUILDING CODES JUST MAKES ME FEEL REALLY GOOD ABOUT THE QUALITY OF THE HOUSE. I DON'T SEE A DISHWASHER IN HERE, THOUGH. WELL, I DO. [ LAUGHTER ] YEAH, HE'S GOOD AT WASHING DISHES. Sean: THE KITCHEN AND THE LIVING ROOM ARE SITUATED RIGHT NEXT TO EACH OTHER -- GREAT FOR ENTERTAINING. Weaver: WE GOT AN OIL-FIRED STOVE. YEP. YEP. GRAVITY-FED FROM THE TANK OUT IN THE WOODSHED. AND THAT'S GONNA BE THE ONLY HEATING SOURCE IN THE HOUSE? THAT'S THE ONLY HEATING SOURCE. Narrator: IN GUSTAVUS, A YEAR'S WORTH OF HEATING OIL CAN COST AN AVERAGE OF $3,000. THAT'S REALLY GONNA INCREASE OUR ENERGY COST. THE HOUSE HAS THREE SMALL BEDROOMS, AND WHAT'S CALLED THE MASTER IS JUST IN NAME ALONE. YEAH, IT'S PRETTY SMALL. IS THIS GONNA BE CONSIDERED THE MASTER BEDROOM OF THE HOUSE THEN? WELL, THIS HOUSE ISN'T CLEARLY DEFINED ONE WAY OR ANOTHER, BUT YOU COULD USE IT AS A MASTER BEDROOM. WHAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE THE MASTER BEDROOM DOESN'T QUITE FEEL SO MASTERY. HERE WE GOT THE MUD ROOM. YEAH. JUST THE RIGHT SIZE -- WE CAN FIT A LOT OF GEAR IN HERE, HANG UP THE WET STUFF. I DEFINITELY DON'T WANT TO BE CLEANING UP AFTER EVERYBODY WHEN THEY COME BACK FROM HUNTING. SO THAT'S A HUGE PLUS. I HAVE SOMETHING A LITTLE SPECIAL TO SHOW YOU. OH, YEAH. THIS IS HUGE! I AM ABSOLUTELY SHOCKED TO SEE THIS BUILDING THAT HAS TO BE BIGGER THAN THE HOUSE ITSELF. IT'S PROBABLY GOT 30-FOOT CEILINGS. Sean: IT'S REALLY A BENEFIT TO HAVE THIS MUCH AMOUNT OF DRY STORAGE SPACE. Jolene: OH, MY GOSH! Weaver: YOU LOOKED AT THE PROPERTY. IT'S THREE-BEDROOM, LARGE GARAGE. WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS ONE? I REALLY LIKE THE SMOKEHOUSE. IT'S GOT A GREAT MUD ROOM. IT DOESN'T HAVE A WOOD STOVE, THOUGH. THE HOT TUB WAS A LITTLE IFFY FOR ME. I'D JUST YANK THAT THING OUT AND REPLACE IT COMPLETELY. YEAH, I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THAT. I REALLY LIKE THE RUSTIC FEEL OF IT, AND I THINK, IF WE GOT IT CLEANED UP, IT COULD BE PRETTY FUNCTIONAL. SO, WHAT'S THE PRICE TAG ON THIS PROPERTY? THEY'RE ONLY ASKING $225,000. $225,000. THAT'S NOT BAD AT ALL. FIVE ACRES OF PROPERTY. $225,000. Sean: THIS AREA DOES HAVE MORE OF A NEIGHBORHOOD FEEL. IT DOESN'T HAVE ANY STATE LANDS OR NATURE CONSERVATORY SURROUNDING IT. Narrator: THREE HOUSES, THREE CHOICES. THERE'S THE MOOSE HAVEN, WITH NO BONES ABOUT ITS WICKED SENSE OF HUMOR, THE RIVERSIDE HOME WITH THE SURPRISE MOVIE THEATER, AND THE PROPERTY WITH A RUSTIC HOT TUB THAT HAS A HUGE PLACE TO STORE YOUR STUFF. WHICH ONE WILL THEY CHOOSE? Narrator: SEAN AND JOLENE WANT A PLACE IN THE WILDERNESS TOWN OF GUSTAVUS, ALASKA, WHERE THEY CAN PUT UP THEIR LARGE FAMILY WHEN THEY COME TO VISIT AND CATCH THEIR SUPPER WHEN THEY WALK OUT THE DOOR. WHAT ABOUT THE BONEYARD HOUSE? THAT PLACE WAS AMAZING. SURROUNDED BY THE HUNTING GROUNDS IS REALLY A BIG PLUS FOR ME. IT'S A LITTLE NEWER CONSTRUCTION, TOO, SO EVERYTHING'S IN REAL GOOD SHAPE. THAT SWINGING DOOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED WITH SOMETHING PERMANENT -- WAY TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT. WELL, LET'S TALK ABOUT THE HOUSE THAT WAS RIGHT ALONG SALMON RIVER. IT WAS A LITTLE DATED. I DIDN'T LIKE THE BIG OLD FENCE, EITHER. THE PROPERTY WAS SO AMAZING, THOUGH. AND THAT BASEMENT IS DEFINITELY A LOT OF LIVING SPACE. AND IT WAS ALSO THE MOST EXPENSIVE. LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT WOOD-FIRED-HOT-TUB HOUSE WITH THE GIANT GARAGE. THAT DEFINITELY HAS A NEIGHBORHOOD FEEL TO IT. THERE'S NOT ANY NATURE CONSERVATORY OR STATE HUNTING GROUNDS THAT WE CAN JUST, YOU KNOW, GET TO RIGHT OUT OF OUR BACK PORCH. THE HOUSE LOOKED LIKE IT WAS IN REALLY GOOD SHAPE -- THE CRAFTSMANSHIP. THE FIRST THING I'D LIKE TO DO TO THAT PROPERTY IS GET RID OF THAT WOOD-FIRED HOT TUB. I REALLY LIKED THAT IT HAD A SMOKEHOUSE ON THE PROPERTY. HONESTLY, I LOVED ALL THREE PROPERTIES. THEY EACH HAD REALLY UNIQUE FEATURES. IT'S GONNA BE A TOUGH DECISION. Narrator: SEAN AND JOLENE FINALLY CHOOSE A NEW PLACE TO START A NEW LIFE, AND A FEW WEEKS LATER, THEY'RE READY TO MOVE IN. THIS PLACE LOOKS AWESOME. I'M REALLY EXCITED. Jolene: THE WHOLE BONEYARD FEEL OF THIS PLACE, IT'S ACTUALLY GROWING ON ME. I'M LEARNING TO CHOP WOOD, ALTHOUGH I'M NOT SURE HOW FAR THAT WILL GO. Sean: THIS AREA CERTAINLY FITS OUR ALASKAN LIFESTYLE, WITH HAVING EVERYTHING IN OUR BACKYARD. Jolene: I'M STILL A LITTLE WORRIED ABOUT THE BEARS AROUND HERE. IT'S JUST SOMETHING THAT WE'LL HAVE TO DEAL WITH, LIVING IN THE ALASKAN WILDERNESS. [ CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS ] Sean: I CAN'T WAIT TO INVITE THE WHOLE FAMILY OUT AND START OUR TRADITIONAL MOOSE HUNT HERE IN GUSTAVUS. CHEERS.