On the edge of the world, even the most solitary must rely on a few trusted allies to endure. For those who choose this life, a little help can go a long way.

Doc and Jeanny Leverett move their garden from the ground to the roof of the tree house. A black bear destroyed the majority of the plants. After creating a "living roof", Doc creates a way to get water for the new garden.

Life off the grid provides freedom, but that independence doesn't come easy. Whether it's finding food, stocking the medicine cabinet, or battling the elements, life in the Boonies requires a daily dose of sweat and blood.

For those choosing to live a life of solitude, there's always work to be done. Whether it's protecting your home from intruders or preparing for Mother Nature's worst, every day presents a new challenge to tackle.

Outside the grid, nothing is given and everything must be earned. One's existence is built from the ground up with two hands, blood, and sweat. The work is hard, but for those who choose this path, a job well done means a life well lived.

Far from the modern world, the forces of nature present dire challenges. During a severe drought, Bear Claw struggles to find water. A small earthquake transforms Joe Ray's underground home and he must find a new path to daylight. Doc and Jeanny Leverett grapple with wildfires burning dangerously close to their tree house, and Dan Burton searches for a friend adrift somewhere on Lake Michigan.

As temperatures drop, those outside the grid prepare for the toughest time of year. Joe Ray makes his annual visit to town to stockpile winter resources. Doc and Jeanny Leverett prepare for indoor confinement for Jeanny due to a rare allergy to the cold. Bear Claw heads for the protection of his winter camp. Dan Burton is on a mission to fill his freezer to help his family make it through the winter.