(NATURE SOUNDS) >> FOR OVER 100 YEARS, AMERICA'S RIVERS WERE THE REFUGE OF THE POOR AND DISENFRANCHISED.

THEY LIVED IN HANDMADE BOATS OFTEN DISPARAGINGLY REFERRED TO AS SHANTYBOATS.

>> SHANTYBOATS WERE HOUSES.

THEY WERE HOMES, THEY WERE HOUSE BOAT IS FOR PEOPLE WHO, ESPECIALLY WANTED TO AVOID STACKS TAXES.

THEY HAD NO MODE OF POWER THERE.

WAS NO ENGINE.

ME JUST DEPENDED ON THE CURRENT TO DRIFT DIS L. PEOPLE WHO WANTED TO EXPLOIT A LOOPHOLE BECAUSE THEY WERE DISADVANTAGED IN SOME WAY OR LIVING IN POVERTY, WANTED TO EXPLOIT THE LOOP LOOPHOLE THAT IF YOU ARE ON THE WATER, IT IS A HIGHWAY TECHNICALLY MADE OF WATER SO YOU WERE NOT BEHOLDEN TO THE STATE STACKS TAXES AS PEOPLE WHO WERE ON LAND.

>> IT WAS A DIY, THEY FOUND MATERIAL AND REPURPOSED WOOD AND WHATEVER THEY PUT ON THEM.

IF IT BROKE, THEY HAD TO FIX IT.

>> DRAWN TO THE BEAUTY OF THE RIVER AND THE SELF RELIANCE OF SHANTYBOATS SO MUCH THAT IN THE LATE 1 40S, HE AND HIS WIFE BUILT THEIR OWN SHANTYBOAT WHICH THEY LIVED ON FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS.

>> HARLAN HAD BEEN HARBORING THIS WISH SINCE HE WAS A LITTLE BOY.

HE LOVED TO STOP AND CULTIVATE THE EXPERIENCES OF THE SHANTYBOAT PEOPLE.

HE FELT VERY DRAWN TO THESE COMMUNITIES AND TO THE PEOPLE WHO LIVED THERE AND UNDERSTANDING THEIR WAY OF LIFE.

HE WAS VERY ATTRACTED TO THE BEAUTY AND SIMPLICITY OF SHANTYBOAT LIVING THAT REQUIRED YOU TO MAKE MUCH OUT OF LITTLE.

AND IT WOULD ULTIMATELY BE FUNDAMENTAL TO EVERY PHILOSOPHY THAT HE WOULD HAVE FOR REST OF HIS LIFE.

>> I WAS INSPIRED BY WHAT THEY ACCOMPLISHED AND WONDERED IF I WAS UP TO THE CHALLENGE OF SHANTYBOAT LIFE.

IT ALL SEEMED LIKE FORGOTTEN HISTORY AND I REACHED OUT TO MY LIFE LONG FRIEND AWAY TO SEE IF WE COULD BRING IT BACK TO LIFE IN SOME WAY BY CONSTRUCTING A SHANTYBOAT AND HAVING OUR OWN RIVER ADVENTURE.

>> YOU ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO SET A BEAM THAT GOES COMPLETELY ACROSS THE SHIP.

THEN SUPPOSEDLY, YOU PLOP DOWN A PIECE OF PLYWOOD.

>> WE WOULD NEED TWO SLEEPING AREAS OR SPACES, REALLY, WE DON'T KNOW WHETHER IT WILL HAVE A FLAT ROOF.

>> WE WANT TO END UP WITH A SHANTY THAT IS AUTHENTIC LOOKING.

WE DON'T WANT A REAL NICE LOOKING HOUSE BOAT.

WE WANT SOMETHING THAT-- WELL, WE WANT TO BUILD IT OUT OF REPURPOSED MATERIALS.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, YOU KNOW, UNDERNEATH THE SKELETON OF IT, WE NEED TO WORRY ABOUT THE WEIGHT.

WE NEED TO WORRY ABOUT OUR SYSTEMS AND HOW WE ARE GOING TO FIT ALL THOSE TOGETHER AND TRY TO KEEP IT AS SIMPLE AS WE CAN.

>> OKAY, SO THIS IS THE SIDE OF THE HULL, AND WE'VE ALREADY LAID OUT THE PLYWOOD.

WE ARE GOING TO BE CUTTING THESE MEMBERS TODAY.

TO LENGTH.

WE ARE GOING TO BE MARKING THEM THIS WILL BE EPOXYED DIRECTLY TO THE PLYWOOD ALONG WITH BLOCKS WHERE THE SEAMS ARE.

THAT WILL BE EPOXYED SO THAT WHEN IT STANDS UP, THIS WILL BE ONE SOLID PIECE.

>> I HAD NO IDEA WHAT I WAS GETTING INTO.

>> A COUPLE OF CHALLENGES TO THIS.

I MEAN YOU'VE GOT MY BUILDING SKILLS WHICH ARE PRETTY LIMITED.

ART CERTAINLY HAS A MORE EXPANSIVE SKILL SET THAN I DO.

WHEN I FIRST CAME UP WITH THIS IDEA, I THOUGHT, YOU KNOW, WE'LL FIND AN OLD PONTOON BOAT AND WE'LL BUILD A SHABTY ON SHANTY AND THIS MIGHT TAKE A FEW MONTHS.

IT'S NOW TWO AND A HALF YEARS LATER.

AND THIS IS WHAT WE GOT SO FAR.

>> OUR PLAN IS TO HEAD DOWN THE KENTUCKY RIVER IT STILL HAS SOME CHALLENGES EVEN THOUGH IT'S NOT A BIG RIVER.

WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH FOUR LOCKS BEFORE WE GET TO THE OHIO.

SO IT'S GOING TO TAKE US A COUPLE OF WOO EXTO GET TO OUR FINAL DESTINATION, BUT THE FIRST WEEK IS ON THE KENTUCKY RIVER AND WE'LL FIGURE OUT HOW THE BOAT HANDLES AND FIGURE OUT A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT WHAT WE NEED TO DO.

AND THEN WE ARE GOING TO END AT TOE HEAD ISLAND.

WE PICKED TOE HEAD ISLAND BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE THE SHANTYBOAT COMMUNITY WAS IN LOUISVILLE.

AND THERE IS SOME LOST HISTORY THERE AND WE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE AN APPROPRIATE PLACE TO END OUR SHANTYBOAT JOURNEY.

TOE HEAD ISLAND WAS FORMED WHEN A LARGE SUNK AND THE RUNOFF FROM BEAR EXTRAS CREEK-- BEAR GRASS CREEK, A CREEK ART AND I USED TO PLAY IN AS KIDS, WAS COLLECTED AND FORMED THE ISLAND, A LOT OF PEOPLE CALLED THEIR SHANTYBOATS HOME.

THE ISLAND IS STILL THERE.

THERE IS A LOVELY CHANNEL.

THERE IS A LOT OF NICE LOOKING BOATS DOCKED THERE.

BUT NO SIGN THAT THERE WAS EVER A SHANTYBOAT COMMUNITY.

>> THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT WE ARE NOT THE FIRST TO DO THIS.

THERE IS THE RIGHT WAY AND WRONG WAY TO DO IT AND I THINK WE CAN FIND THAT OUT.

>> SO KIND OF JUMPED IN AND WE STARTED PURCHASING THIS JUST WITH THE IDEA THAT WE'LL FIGURE IT OUT AS WE GO ALONG.

WE HAD NO EXPERIENCE WHATSOEVER.

THE CLOSEST THING IN MY LIFE THAT I HAD DONE WAS PROBABLY ON MY OWN HOUSE.

I BUILT A DECK AND PUT A ROOF OVER THE TOP OF IT, SO JUST SOME BASIC CARPENTRY.

BUT NOTHING THAT WOULD HAVE TO FLOAT.

>> AND THIS IS THE KENTUCKY RIVER.

>> AND THE RIVER IS COMING THIS WAY.

>> YES.

>> THAT INDICATES THE FLOW.

>> OH OKAY.

GOOD DEAL.

>> IT COULD BE BEST PLACE ON EARTH TO BE ON UP AND DOWN THE RIVER AND IT COULD BE THE MOST TERRIFYING PLACE ON EARTH TO BE AROUND.

THE OHIO RIVER DRAIN IS EIGHT STATES AROUND THE RIVER.

EVERY ONE OF THOSE STATES THEY HAVE RIVERS THAT DRAIN THE WHOLE AREA SO YOU ARE NOT GETTING JUST THE RAIN THAT FALLS HERE.

YOU ARE GETTING THE RAIN THAT DROPS IN NEW YORK, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, OHIO.

IT ALL COMES BY HERE ALL THE WAY DOWN.

ACCUMULATES AROUND LONG THE WAY.

WIND IS THE BIGGEST FACTOR.

VISIBILTY.

WE HAVE RADAR AND RIVER CHARTS.

>> IT TAKES A LOT OF EFFORT, ESPECIALLY LIKE ON THIS BOAT, THE PILOT DOES NOT HAVE DIRECT CONTROL OF THE ENGINES OR THE DIRECTION OF THE WHEEL.

WE HAVE TO INDICATE TO THE JR. TO THE ENGINEER WHAT WE WANT.

SO I CALL IT, AS WE LAND THE BOAT, IT'S LANDING THE BOAT BY COMMITTEE BECAUSE YOU HAVE THE DECK HANDS TO CATCH THE LINES, CAPTAIN ON THE BRIDGE TELLING YOU HOW CLOSE YOU ARE.

THE PILOT MA UNFORTUNATELYING THE BOAT AND THE ENGINEERS SETTING THE SPEED AND DIRECTION OF THE WHEEL.

AND WE ALL WORK IN SYNC.

EVEN ON A SMALL BOAT, IF YOU DON'T PAY ATTENTION TO THE NAVIGATION RULES, COAST GUARD HAS A PUBLICATION CALLED RULES OF THE ROAD AND TALKS ABOUT PASSING SIGNALS, WHO IS THE RESPONSIBLE FOR INITIATING PASSING SIGNALS.

EVEN THOUGH THIS IS A WIDE AREA, THERE IS A CHANNEL THAT COMES DOWN THE KENTUCKY SIDE THAT GOES INTO THE LOCKS.

THOSE CAN'T GO ACROSS THE RIVER AND MAKE THE HARD TURN TO AVOID YOU COMING UP THE RIVER.

DOWN BOUND HAS THE RIGHT OF WAY SO THEY INITIATIVE INITIATE THE CALL AND THEY SAY YOU HAVE TO HOLD UP IN THE CANAL UNTIL THEY GET DOWN THERE, YOU HAVE TO HOLD UP IN THE CANAL.

I'M SURE THESE GUYS ARE GOING TO HAVE FUN AND I'M SURE THERE ARE GOING TO BE A COUPLE OF MOMENTS OF SAYING WHY ARE WE DOING THIS?

BUT IT'S POSSIBLE.

>> THE CURRENT WILL DO FUNNY THINGS, ESPECIALLY IF IT'S GOING FAST AND IT WILL HIT CERTAIN AREAS AND SOMETIMES IT WILL CATCH PEOPLE OFF GUARD AND ALSO WITH THAT, YOU'VE GOT THE SURFACE CONDITIONS, THE WINDS COMING FROM THIS DIRECTION OR IF IT'S COMING FROM THE SOUTH AND THE CURRENT IS GOING THIS WAY, YOU'VE GOT TWO FORCES THAT ARE REACTING ON IT.

AND IF BOTH ARE SEVERE, THAT MAKES FOR A PRETTY HAIRY RIDE THROUGH HERE.

AND YOU CAN SEE THE HEIGHT DISPARITY BETWEEN THE UPPER AND LOWER POOL AS IT STANDS NOW WITH THE LOCK AND DAM SYSTEM, BUT DURING FLOOD TIMES, IT GETS SO HIGH, YOU COULD-- THIS FLOOD WALL RIGHT HERE, YOU CAN IN THEORY JUST DRIVE STRAIGHT ACROSS BECAUSE THE LOWER POOL CATCHES UP THAT MUCH TO THE UPPER POOL.

IT'S ONE OF THOSE THINGS WHERE YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW.

AND IN THOSE SITUATIONS, YOU DON'T REALIZE YOU ARE IN A HEAP OF TROUBLE IF YOU ARE RIGHT OVER HERE BY THE DAM.

>> SUPPOSED TOCK YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO-- SUPPOSED TO BE YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO KNOW WHERE YOU CAN GO OR NOT GO BEFORE YOU COME OUT HERE BUT MOST PEOPLE DON'T KNOW.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >> I FELT A REAL SENSE OF COMMUNITY AT TIMES DURING THE BUILDING OF THIS BOAT.

IT BECAME ALMOST LIKE A COMMUNITY BARN RAISING, YOU KNOW, WHERE ALL THE PEOPLE WOULD COME TOGETHER.

WHEN IT CAME TIME TO RAISE THE SIDES OF THE BARN, YOU HAD EVERYBODY THAT YOU KNEW COMING TOGETHER WITH FOOD AND PITCHING IN AND THAT HAPPENED WHEN WE HAD TO FLIP THE HULL.

THE HULL WAS BUILT UPSIDE DOWN AND WHEN IT CAME DOWN TO FLIP THAT HULL, WE HAD OVER 20 PEOPLE WHO CAME TO ALL PITCH IN AND FLIP THE HULL AND PUT IT ON TO THIS TRAILER AND IT JUST-- IT FELT LIKE A COMMUNITY BARN RAISING.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >> ON 3.

1, 2, 3.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >> OFTEN TIMES SHANTYBOATERS WERE NOT SHANTYBOATERS BY CHOICE.

OFTEN TIMES THEY WERE THERE BECAUSE THEY WERE POOR, DISENFRANCHISED.

SO SHANTYBOAT CULTURE IN MANY WAYS CARRIED WITH IT SOME STIGMA.

>> IF YOU READ THE PAPER, SOMETHING WENT MISSING, IF IT WAS A RIVER TOWN, THE FIRST PEOPLE ALONG THE LINE OF USUAL SUSPECTS, WERE THERE ANY SHANTYBOATERS AROUND THERE.

AND LOUISVILLE, THE HOUSING SHORTAGES AROUND 1900 WAS HORRIBLE.

LOUISVILLE HAD A REALLY BAD REPUTATION AS FAR AS TENEMENT HOUSES.

YOU HAD MORE PEOPLE CROWDED IN ONE ROOM HERE IN THIS CITY THAN BALTIMORE AND PHILADELPHIA IN TENEMENTS.

SO FOR PEOPLE WHO WANTED TO LIVE AS A FAMILY AND HAVE A LITTLE ROOM, AND NOT BE CROWDED, A SHANTYBOAT MADE SENSE, ESPECIALLY IF YOU COULD BUILD IT YOURSELF OR HAVE SOMEBODY HELP YOU AND FIND MATERIAL AND PUT IT TOGETHER FOR AN ESTIMATED, AT THAT TIME, $100 TO $200.

>> I THINK IDEALLY WOULD LIKE TO DO A LITTLE MAIDEN VOYAGE, SOMETHING SMALL WHERE WE CAN'T GET OURSELVES IN TOO MUCH TROUBLE.

>> CAN'T SEE THE RAMP TOO WELL... >> ANGLE LEFT TO.

>> IN THE WATER?

>> I'M GOING TO GO INTO THE WATER A LITTLE MORE.

>> IT WAS MY JOB TO LOWER THE BOAT INTO THE WATER AND I HAD NEVER DONE THAT BEFORE.

IF YOU GET ON YOUTUBE, YOU SEE ALL THESE FAILS, TO WHERE PEOPLE END UP LOSING THEIR VEHICLES INTO THE WATER AND ALL THIS STUFF GOES THROUGH YOUR MIND.

MY ANXIETY WAS WILL IT FLOAT?

WILL IT FLOOD AND HOW WILL IT HANDLE?

>> ONCE IT GOT INTO THE WATER, I NEEDED TO MANEUVER THIS AROUND AND DOCK IT.

AND, YOU KNOW, I'VE HAD NO REAL BOATING EXPERIENCE, SO I HAD NO IDEA HOW IT WOULD HANDLE, HOW RESPONSIVE IT WOULD BE TO THE STEERING, YOU KNOW, WHEN DOCKING A BOAT, THERE IS A LOT OF KNOWING WHEN TO BE IN NEUTRAL, WHEN TO HIT THE REVERSE A LITTLE BIT.

I WAS NERVOUS ABOUT CRASHING THE BOAT INTO THE DOCK THE FIRST TIME.

BUT I TELL YOU, THIS THING JUST-- IT JUST HANDLED SO WELL.

IT WAS SO SMOOTH AND STEADY ON THE WATER.

I FELT PRETTY GOOD.

SO THIS BABY RESPONDED WELL.

>> I WAS WORKING FOR THE "COURIER JOURNAL" SUNDAY MAGAZINE LATE SPRING OR EARLY SUMMER OF 1979.

WE PULLED INTO THIS PLACE THAT I HAD BEEN PASSING ALL OF MY BOATING LIFE ON MY WAY TO CINCINNATI OR MADISON.

ALL COULD YOU SEE WAS FOLIAGE AND THIS HOUSE.

IT LOOKED LIKE A CONTEMPORARY HOUSE WITH LOTS OF GLASS THAT FACED THE RIVER BUT EVERYTHING ELSE WAS ALL GROWN UP.

I ALWAYS WANTED TO KNOW WHO LIVED HERE.

THAT WAS THE FIRST DAY THAT I MET THE HUBBARDS.

I WAS THERE TO PHOTOGRAPH THEM FOR THE SUNDAY MAGAZINE.

THE FIRST THING THAT I ALWAYS NOTICED WAS HOW CLEAN EVERYTHING WAS INSIDE THE THE HOUSE ESPECIALLY.

AND, YOU KNOW, THEY HAD A VERY NICE HOME.

THEY HAD NO MODERN CONVENIENCE, NO ELECTRICITY, NO REFRIGERATION, NO VACUUM CLEANERS, NOTHING LIKE THAT.

AND IT WAS ALWAYS VERY, VERY COMFORTABLE AND CLEAN.

THE HOUSE WAS SIMPLE.

BUT IT WAS ELEGANT IN THE WAY IT WAS DESIGNED.

EVERYTHING-- IT WAS A SMALL SPACE, BUT EVERYTHING HAD A PURPOSE AND IT WAS JUST VERY, VERY NICE PLACE.

SHE HAD A BABY GRAND, I BELIEVE IT WAS, PIANO.

AND THEY HAULED IT DOWN THE HILL FROM, YOU KNOW, FROM THE CLOSEST ROAD, WHICH IS ABOUT A MILE DOWN THE HILL.

HARLAN HAD HIS VIOLA AND ANNA HAD A CELLO AS WELL.

THEY DIDN'T HAVE A PIANO ON THE SHANTYBOAT BUT THEY DID HAVE THEIR INSTRUMENTS.

AND IN FACT, THE FIRST DAY THAT I MET THE HUBBARDS, ANNA WAS THERE AND SHE SAID HARLAN WILL BE HERE SHORTLY.

HE AS CROSS THE RIVER PICKING UP THE PIANO TUNER.

SO THE PEE AN OWE TUNER-- PIANO TUNER CAME.

IT WAS HARD TO KEEP IN TUNE.

THEY HAD AIR CONDITIONING AND IT WAS VERY HUMID IN THE SUMMERTIME BUT IT WAS QUITE A CULTURAL UNDERTAKING THAT THEY HAD.

>> SURPRISE SNOWSTORM.

>> HARLAN HUBBARD WAS A GREAT LOVER OF PRACTICAL LITERATURE AND ONE OF THE STAPLES OF CLASSICAL LITERATURE AND POETRY IS SOMETHING WRITTEN TO PRESERVE THE MEMORY OF SOMETHING THAT IS TRANSIENT, THAT IS GOING AWAY, THAT WE ARE LOSING.

WHEN I READ HARLAN HUBBARD, I REALLY FEEL LIKE IT'S AN ALAGY BECAUSE IT'S PRESERVING SOMETHING WITH SHANTYBOATERS ALMOST LITERALLY WE DON'T SEE ANYMORE IS GONE IT'S AN ELLERGY FOR PRESERVING A LANDSCAPE.

I THINK HE PRESERVED INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT PIECES OF LOCAL CULTURE AND UNIVERSAL CULTURE, WHICH IS PULLING BACK WHAT THEROUX CALLED SIMPLIFY, LIVE SIMPLY.

THIS IMPORTANT EXCERPTATION TO BE MINDFUL OF WHAT WE DO AND HOW WE DO IT AND NOT TO BE EXPLOITIVE OF PEOPLE, OF PLACES OR OF THINGS.

>> I CONSIDER IT HALLOWED GROUND FOR ANYBODY THAT IS ATTEMPTING TO DO WHAT NECESSITY DID, OR AT LEAST WHAT THEY TRIED TO DO.

AND LOOKING AROUND ON THIS PROPERTY, THIS, FOR THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE, WOULD HAVE BEEN A TOUGH LIFE.

BUT THIS-- WHAT IS FASCINATING AND WHAT MAKES IT HALLOWED IS THAT THESE PEOPLE CHOSE THIS.

THIS IS WHAT THEY WANTED TO DO.

>> TO BE HERE WHERE THEY LIVED IT FOR 40 YEARS, IT'S JUST A SPECIAL PLACE.

SO I LIVE IN NEW ENGLAND.

AND NEW ENGLAND, WHEN PEOPLE WANT TO FEEL INSPIRED AND SORT OF REMIND THEMSELVES ABOUT HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO LIVE LIFE SIMPLY, THEY GO TO WALDON POND WHERE THEROUX LIVED FOR TWO YEARS.

AND SO PAIN HOLLOW IS LIKE KENTUCKY'S WALDON POND.

>> WE SHOULD PROBABLY TACKLE IT FROM LIKE THE CHEAPEST MOTOR WE CAN FIND.

I MEAN, SO CURIOUS SERIOUSLY MY BIGGEST FEAR WITH THE SHANTYBOAT IS THAT OUR MOTOR DIES AND WE JUST DRIFT.

ARE WE GOING TO LIFT INTO THE PATH... >> WE GAVE UP ON HAVING ANY SET TIMELINE THIS BOAT WOULD GET DONE WHEN IT GOT DONE.

AND, BUT I DON'T THINK WE EVER LOST SIGHT THAT THE BOAT WAS GOING TO GET DONE, YOU KNOW, IT MIGHT TAKE US A COUPLE EXTRA YEARS, YOU KNOW, THE PANDEMIC SLOWED US DOWN, YOU KNOW, ART'S FIGHT WITH CANCER SLOWED IT DOWN A LITTLE BIT.

BUT I DON'T THINK, ONCE WE STARTED PUTTING THOSE FIRST PIECES TOGETHER IN PORTLAND, I DON'T THINK WE EVER THOUGHT THAT THIS WOULD-- THAT WE WOULD GIVE UP ON THIS PROJECT.

>> I JUST HAD A MEDICAL CONDITION AND BATTLED THROUGH CANCER AND DID ALL THESE TREATMENTS AND THINGS.

AND THAT, OF COURSE, ANYBODY THAT HAS BEEN THROUGH THAT, CHANGES YOUR WORLD.

AND YOU START QUESTIONING A LOT OF THINGS.

AND YOU HAVE A LOT OF ANXIETY AND STRESS.

AND TO RELIEVE THAT, THIS PROJECT WAS THERE IN THE BACKGROUND AND IT TOOK ON A DIFFERENT MEANING.

IT WAS REALLY A GOD SEND FOR THE TIMES WHEN MY ENERGY WAS STARTING TO COME BACK AFTER ALL THESE TREATMENTS, AND I NEEDED SOMETHING TO DO AND I HAD THIS CABIN FEVER SO BAD AND WORKING ON THE BOAT, I COULD KIND OF BITE OFF AS MUCH AS I WANTED TO AND SO BUILDING THIS BOAT HAS A LITTLE ADDED MEANING FOR ME BECAUSE OF THE SITUATION THAT I FOUND MYSELF IN.

>> YOU THINK ABOUT WHAT HARLAN AND ANNA DID, AND THE BOAT THAT THEY BUILT.

AND THE FACT THAT THEY HAD NO POWER TOOLS.

THEY DID IT ALL WITH HAND TOOLS.

AND WHEN I THINK ABOUT WHAT WE'VE DONE OVER THE LAST, YOU KNOW, TWO YEARS, OR MORE, AND THE TIME THAT IT'S TAKING US, USING POWER TOOLS AND HOW CHALLENGING IT HAS BEEN, TO DO ALL THIS WITH HAND TOOLS... THAT JUST BLOWS ME AWAY WHAT THEY WERE ABLE TO DO.

>> AND WHILE THEY'RE LIVING ON THE SIDE OF THE RIVER, ON THE BANK OF THE RIVER IN A LEAN-TO.

>> ALL RIGHT.

(ENGINE STARTING) >> OF COURSE HARLAN AND ANNA NEVER HAD TO DEAL WITH A TRAILER.

THEY BUILT THEIR BOAT ON THE SIDE OF THE RIVER.

AND THEN THEY HAD TO WAIT FOR THE WATER TO COME UP AND TAKE THE BOAT.

THAT'S HOW THEY LAUNCHED THEIR BOAT.

SO, AGAIN, YOU KNOW, YOU THINK BACK TO WHAT THEY WERE ABLE TO DO AND THEN TRAVEL THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF THE OHIO AND THE MISSISSIPPI.

THEY LIVED DOWN IN THE BAYOUS ON THEIR SHANTYBOAT FOR A FEW YEARS AND HOW THEY WERE ABLE TO MANEUVER ALL OF THAT WITHOUT POWER, JUST USING LARGE SWEEPS AND A TILLER.

IT'S PRETTY IMPRESSIVE STUFF.

>> THAT'S MORE FOR DECORATION.

>> THAT'S GOING TO LOOK COOL.

>> WE ACTUALLY ALTERED THE DESIGNS A LITTLE BIT SO WE WOULD HAVE AN EXTRA TWO FEET ON OUR FRONT PORCH BECAUSE WE SEE SOME PORCH SITTING HAPPENING.

MIGHT BE SIPPING SOME BOURBON, BUT ART UNDERSTAND-- BUT ART AND I SITTING ON THE FRONT PORCH OF THE BOAT JUST TALKING.

>> MY DEGREE IS IN PHILOSOPHY.

I DON'T-- THAT MAY HELP.

>> WE WERE SITTING THERE DRINKING A BEER.

THAT WILL COME IN HANDY.

>> HERE IS TO SUCCESSFUL VOYAGE.

MAY THE WIND BE AT YOUR BACK AND YOUR FEET STAY DRY.

>> THANK YOU.

>> CHEERS.

>> CHEERS!

>> ON THE RIVER, YOU ARE GOING THROUGH AREAS THAT MOST PEOPLE DON'T SEE.

YOU'VE GOT TO GET ON THE RIVER TO SEE THE WORLD FROM THAT ANGLE.

AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO IT BECAUSE I THINK IT'S A VIEW OF THE WORLD THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T SEE.

PEOPLE DON'T SPEND ENOUGH TIME ON THE RIVER.

>> WE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA TO START ON THE KENTUCKY RIVER BECAUSE IT'S PRETTY TRANQUIL RIVER.

IT'S SCENIC.

THERE IS NO COMMERCIAL TRAFFIC.

WE ARE STILL FIGURING OUT HOW THIS BOAT HANDLES.

SO WE WANTED SOMETHING THAT WASN'T TOO BIG OF A CHALLENGE TO START OUT WITH.

AND SO WE LAUNCHED IN FRANK POORT ON THE KENTUCKY-- IN FRANKFORT ON THE KENTUCKY RIVER MUCH ART AND I ARE JUST HOPING FOR A POSITIVE EXPERIENCE ON THE RIVER.

WE THINK OUR SHANTYBOAT IS GOING TO ATTRACT A LITTLE BIT OF ATTENTION.

WE'LL GET TO SHARE THE STORY OF SHANTYBOATERS WITH WHOEVER IS INTERESTED.

AND WE HOPE THAT IT SORT OF REAWAKENS A FEW MEMORIES FOR PEOPLE OF A LOST LIFE ON THE RIVER.

>> SEE, NATURE, THE IMPORTANCE OF NATURE, AND HOW SIGNIFICANT IT COULD BE IN A MAN'S LIFE.

I WANT TO GO OUT IN THE WOODS ALONG THE RIVER BANK AND TURN OUR BACK ON THE CITIES.

I THOUGHT I COULD ACCOMPLISH IT.

MAYBE WAYSN'T READY FOR IT.

I HAVE NO IDEA.

I ALWAYS THOUGHT IN MY LIFE THAT WHAT COMES TO US IS AT THE RIGHT TIME.

BETTER NOT TO FORCE THINGS.

IT'S REAL HARD TO DO SOMETHING THAT IS UNNATURAL.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >> IN A SHANTYBOAT THIS SIZE, YOU DON'T HAVE A WHOLE LOT OF ROOM, SO THIS IS PRETTY COMPACT.

BUT WE DO HAVE A PROPANE STOVE.

WE DO HAVE A SINK WITH A FOOT PEDAL THAT PUMPS WATER.

THE WATER SYSTEM HAS TWO TANKS UNDERNEITH THAT IS REGULAR TAP WATER.

>> I'LL TAKE THAT.

I NEED THAT.

KEEP THAT CLOSE BY ANYWAY.

>> OUR SHANTYBOAT HAS TWO BEDS.

IT'S NOT A QUEEN SIZED BED.

THEY'RE NOT EVEN DOUBLE BEDS.

BUT THEY'RE GOING TO WORK FOR ART AND I TO GET A GOOD NIGHT'S SLEEP.

WE DO NOT HAVE AIR CONDITIONING BUT WE HAVE SOME WONDERFUL FANS, AND WITH THE GENERAL ROCKING OF THE RIVER, WE THINK WE ARE GOING TO GET A GOOD NIGHT'S SLEEP.

SO SOMETHING WE'VE GOT ON OUR BOAT THAT YOU MIGHT EXPECT TO FIND ON A SHANTYBOAT, IS A LIBRARY.

HARLAN AND ANNA WERE SHANTYBOATERS IN THE 19 FOURTH.

THEY BUILT A SHANTYBOAT IN BRENT, KENTUCKY, AND THEY TRAVELED DOWN THE OHIO RIVER, DOWN THE MISSISSIPPI TO NEW ORLEANS.

THEY REALLY CAPTURED THE SPIRIT OF SHANTYBOATERS, SORT OF LIVING SIMPLY ON THE RIVER.

AND SO HAVING HIS BOOK HERE WAS IMPORTANT TO US AND PLUS IT'S A WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE ABOUT TRAVELING ON THE RIVER AND THE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW.

>> HE WAS LUCKY WITH ANNA BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH ANNA WAS VERY REFINED, SHE HAD A RUGGEDNESS TO HER AND A THIRST FOR ADVENTURE THAT EVEN THOUGH SHE HADN'T PROBABLY EVER IMAGINED HERSELF LIVING ON A SHANTYBOAT, I THINK AS SOON AS SHE FELL IN LOVE WITH A MAN WHO HAD THIS DREAM, IT TRIGGERED A SENSE OF ADVENTURE IN HER.

I'M SURE HARLAN WOULD HAVE BEEN AS HAPPY TO TAKE HIS JOHN BOAT DOWN THE RIVER WITHOUT A ROOF OVER HIS HEAD.

ANNA BROUGHT A REMARKABLE STANDARD OF LIVING IN SHANTYBOAT LIFE THAT WAS NOT CUSTOMARY TO MOST PEOPLE'S SHANTYBOAT EXPERIENCE.

THEY HAD A TEA POT, KETTLE, WOOD BURNING STOVE ON THEIR SHANTYBOAT AND SHE WAS A VERY ACCOMPLISHED PIANIST.

BUT A PIANO WAS A LITTLE TOO MUCH TO GET ON A SHANTYBOAT.

>> FOR ME, IT WAS JUST HOW SIMPLY THEY LIVED.

HARLAN AND ANNA WOULD TRAVEL DOWN THE RIVER AND FIND A NICE SPOT AND THEY WOULD SPEND THE SUMMER THERE AND PLANT A GARDEN AND GROW THEIR OWN CROPS, AND THEN THEY WOULD CAN IT FOR THE WINTER MONTHS WHEN THEY WERE ON THE RIVER.

THEY EVEN CARRIED THEIR OWN BEE HIVE ON THE BOAT.

>> ANNA WAS A VERY CIVILIZED INFLUENCE ON HER.

IF NOT FOR HER, HARLAN WOULD HAVE LIVED THE LIFE HE WANTED TO LIVE BUT I DON'T THINK ANYBODY WOULD HAVE GONE TO SEE HIM.

YOU WOULD BROABL HAVE TO GET A TETANUS SHOT BEFORE YOU SHOWED UP.

SHE WAS VERY SUPPORTIVE AND I THINK IT WAS AN ADVENTURE FOR BOTH EVER THEM.

>> SHE WAS VERY INTERESTED IN MAINTAINING A LEVEL OF REFINEMENT IN THEIR LIFE AND IN THEIR LIFESTYLE.

AND SHE WAS INTERESTED IN MAKING SURE THAT THEY WERE COMFORTABLE.

THEIR EXPERIENCE ON THE SHANTYBOAT WASN'T NECESSARILY ABOUT MAKING ENDS MEET.

IT WAS ABOUT SEEING HOW YOU CAN SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE AND STILL LIVE A LIFE THAT SOME PEOPLE WOULD BE VERY COMFORTABLE STILL LIVING.

BALANCE IS A WORD THAT COMES UP FOR ME A LOT WHEN HARLAN HUBBARD.

HE WAS NEVER TOO EXTREME OF HERMIT LIVING IN THE DESERT.

HE WAS CERTAINLY VERY CONCERNED ABOUT LIVING SIMPLY.

BUT HE FOUND A NICE BALANCE AND ANNA HELPED HIM FIND THAT BY BRINGING SOME OF THAT REFINEMENT AND SOME OF THOSE REALLY OFF THE WALL THINGS THAT YOU WOULDN'T EXPECT TO SEE ON A SHANTYBOAT LIKE A HIVE OF BEES.

>> WE ARE A LITTLE BIT WORRIED ABOUT THE LOCKS ON THE KENTUCKY RIVER.

MOSTLY BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW WHAT REALLY THE PROCEDURE IS FOR GOING THROUGH THE LOCKS.

WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO FIGURE THAT OUT AS WE GO.

WE ARE STILL LEARNING HOW TO MANEUVER THIS BOAT.

SO WE ARE HOPING THE LOCK MASTER WILL BE KIND AND FORGIVING AND WE'LL FIGURE OUT THE RIGHT WAY TO GET THROUGH THIS.

>> IT IS LIKE GLASS ON THIS RIVER THIS MORNING.

>> YEAH.

>> THIS LOOKS BEAUTIFUL.

YOU GOT THE LIMESTONE CLIFFS OVERLOOKING THE RIVER.

BY THE WAY, ON THIS BEND, THE MAP SAYS CAUTION, SHALLOW.

SO WHEN YOU START TO TAKE THAT TURN TO THE RIGHT, MAKE SURE YOU ARE DEAD CENTER HERE.

WE SHOULD BE OKAY.

>> YEAH, I THINK I SEE LOCK 4 UP AHEAD.

>> YOU SAY YOU CAN SEE THE LOCKS?

>> YEP, OFF TO THE LEFT.

>> BUMPERS ARE DOWN.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> ON THE LEFT SIDE?

>> LEFT PORT SIDE.

>> PORT SIDE.

THANK YOU.

I'LL GET USED TO THAT.

SCOOT OVER TO THE LEFT SIDE.

>> I THINK SO.

>> DO NOT WANT TO GO OVER THE DAM.

WOULD YOU THINK THOSE ARE BOOYS UP THERE, WARNING BOOYS?

>> I'M SURE THEY HAVE THAT.

BUOYS.

WE DO NOT WANT TO GO STRAIGHT.

[LAUGHTER] THAT WOULD TAKE US NICELY OVER THE DAM.

>> THE LOCK MASTERED WE ENCOUNTERED ON THE KENTUCKY RIVER COULD NOT HAVE BEEN MORE GRACIOUS, INVITING, FORGIVING.

WE BUMPED INTO THE SECOND LOCK PRETTY HARD.

HIT THE GATE.

BUT THEY HELPED US ALONG.

WE GOT THROUGH THE LOCKS.

IT WAS PRETTY FASCINATING EXPERIENCE.

>> WE GOT ONE FOR THE FRONT AND ONE FOR THE REAR, RIGHT?

GOING THROUGH THE LOCKS REQUIRED A LITTLE COORDINATION BETWEEN ART AND MYSELF.

ONE PERSON ON THE FRONT DECK SORT OF BEING THE GUIDE WITH SOME DIRECTIONS AND THE OTHER, YOU KNOW, HANDLING THE WHEEL.

BUT WE GOT PRETTY GOOD AT IT BY THE FOURTH LOCK AND WE GOT THROUGH THEM SAFELY.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >> A LITTLE MINOR BUMP IN THE LOCKS THAT KIND OF RATTLED THE BOAT.

AND I WANT TO CHECK THE CORNER TO SEE HOW BAD THE DAMAGE IS.

>> STRUCTURALLY IT'S ALL RIGHT, BUT IT IS KIND OF NASTY LOOKING.

I DON'T KNOW IF I CAN GET A PICTURE OF THAT, BUT WE ARE GOING TO TRY.

>> LOOKS LIKE WE PUT A LITTLE DENT IN IT LET'S NOT DROP THAT IN THE RIVER.

>> WOULD I NOT WANT TO DO THAT.

>> LET'S GET THE OTHER SIDE.

YOU ARE MAKING ME NERVE WITH US -- YOU ARE MAKING ME NERVOUS WITH THAT PHONE.

>> I GOT A GOOD PICTURE.

WE CAN REPORT THAT TO THE MAINTENANCE CREW WHEN WE GET BACK.

>> I'VE NOTICED ON THE KENTUCKY RIVER, THIS IS JUST A RIVER THAT KIND OF INVITES YOU TO COME DOWN AND SPEND SOME TIME ON.

IT'S QUIET.

IT HAS NO COMMERCIAL TRAFFIC ON IT.

>> YEAH, NO, I'M GOING TO MISS THE KENTUCKY RIVER BECAUSE I GOT A VERY HEALTHY RESPECT FOR THE OHIO.

THAT RIVER FRIGHTENS ME A BIT.

WE ARE GOING TO BE ON THE OHIO IN ABOUT FOUR DAYS AND SPEND ABOUT FOUR DAYS ON IT.

THAT IS CERTAINLY THE PART OF THE TRIP THAT MAKES ME NERVOUS STILL BECAUSE OF ALL THE COMMERCIAL TRAFFIC CERTAINLY A STRONGER CURRENT THAN ON THE KENTUCKY.

WE NEED TO HAVE OUR WITS ABOUT US ON THE OHIO.

>> WE ARE GOING TO TRY TO GO TO THE CREEK TO THE LEFT.

>> YEAH YOU SEE THE ENTRANCE THERE.

>> I THINK I DO.

>> I THINK I DO, TOO.

IT'S NOT REAL CLEAR.

>> TELL YOU ONE THING ABOUT LIVING IN A SMALL SPACE, KIND OF FORCES YOU TO LIVE SIMPLY WHEN YOU GOT TO LIVE IN AN X-- 8 X 1, YOU HAVE TO GET DOWN TO THE BARE ESSENTIALS.

AND WE ARE DOWN TO THE BARE ESSENTIALS.

>> IN FACT, WE ARE OUT OF REFRIGERATION AT THIS POINT, OUR ICE IS GONE.

WE ARE FIVE DAYS IN, MOST OF OUR PERISHABLES ARE GONE AT THIS POINT.

WE ARE OUT OF ICE.

SO WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO START HITTING THE NON-PERISHABLES.

>> CANNED GOODS.

>> OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS.

>> WE HAVE SOME CANNED GOODS.

WE HAVE SOME FREEZE DRIED MEALS IF WE RUN OUT OF THAT, I DON'T THINK HARLAN AND ANNA HAD FREEZE DRIED MEALS TO RELY ON.

>> HOLD ON ONE SECOND, ART.

I WANT TO MOVE THE ROPE.

>> IF YOU POINT IT IN THE SHALLOW, I'LL JUMP OFF.

>> RIGHT HERE?

>> I RIGHT HERE.

>> I DON'T THINK WE WANT TO GO ANY FURTHER.

>> POINTING STRAIGHT INTO THE BANK.

>> STRAIGHT INTO THE BANK.

>> HOW AM I DOING?

>> YOU ARE DOING GREAT.

PROBABLY SHOULD HAVE MY MUD BOOLTS BOOTS ON BUT THAT'S ALL RIGHT.

PERFECT.

ALL RIGHT.

I'VE NEVER DONE A TROUT LINE.

>> ME NEITHER.

>> ART HAS NEVER DONE A TROUT LINE.

SO IN OTHER WORDS, WE HAVE NO IDEA WHAT WE ARE DOING HERE, BUT I DID WATCH A VIDEO ON YOUTUBE, SO I LEARNED A LOT.

THIS WILL WORK.

WE ARE AVOIDING GOING OUT IN OUR JOHN BOAT WHICH HAS A LEAK.

>> OKAY.

>> ALL RIGHT.

LET'S TIE THIS ON.

THIS IS WHAT WE ARE GOING TO USE TO PULL IT IN WITH.

AND NOW WE GOT TO BAIT THESE LINES.

WE GOT MINNOWS.

WE GOT RED WORKPLACES.

WE GOT-- RED WORMS, WE'VE GOT NIGHT CRAWLERS.

NOW HOW ARE WE GOING TO HANG THESE GUYS?

ONE AT A TIME AND THEN... >> YEAH.

>> HOW ARE YOU GOING TO KEEP IT FROM GETTING UNTANGLED, I GUESS?

>> I HAVE NO IDEA.

>> WE ARE STILL PRETTY MUCH SHANTYBOATERS THOUGH.

LIVING WITH ONE FOOT IN THE WATER ALL THE TIME.

AND HAVE TO TAKE A BOAT TO GO ANYWHERE, CATCH FISH FROM THE RIVER AND ENJOY THE RIVER ALL DAY LONG EVERY DAY.

>> THAT GUY WAS AMAZING.

HE WOULD, AT TIMES, GET IN HIS JOHN BOAT AND HIS SHANTYBOAT WAS , WHAT DO YOU THINK, AT LEAST 50% BIGGER THAN OURS.

>> THEIR BOAT, I THINK, WAS MUCH LONGER.

>> YEAH.

>> SO PROBABLY A GOOD TWICE THE SIZE.

AND HE WOULD GET IN HIS JOHN-BOAT AND HE WOULD ROW AND HE COULD PULL THAT SHANTYBOAT ACROSS THE OHIO RIVER.

HE PULLED IT SOMETIMES UPSTREAM.

SO HE HAD A SKILL SET AND A LEVEL OF DETERMINATION AND GRIT THAT, BOY, YOU JUST DON'T SEE A LOT OF.

>> PART OF WHAT IS SO FASCINATING ABOUT HARLAN IS HE IS LIKE A MODERN DAY RENAISSANCE MAN.

A STRANGE BREED OF HYMAN THAT WE DON'T SEE AS MUCH ANYMORE WHO SEEM TO BE INTERESTED IN EVERYTHING AND GOOD AT EVERYTHING.

AND SAW EVERYTHING AS WONDERFULLY BEAUTIFUL AND WONDERFUL COMPLEX AND INTERCONNECTED.

>> HE WAS, IN FACT, AN ARTIST.

HE WAS A PAINTER.

AND IT'S SO EASY TO, IF YOU KNEW THE HUBBARDS OR IF YOU KNEW ABOUT THEIR LIFE, WELL, HE WAS, YOU KNOW, FORAGED FOR HIS OWN FOOD, RAISED GOATS, GOT FISH FROM THE RIVER, THEY HAD NOT A SUBSISTENCE, THEY HAD A VERY LAVISH LIFESTYLE, YOU KNOW, PLENTY OF FOOD.

BUT HE HAD TO WORK ALL THE TIME TO DO THAT.

HE MADE HIS OWN TOOLS WHEN HE COULD.

HE BUILT HIS OWN HOUSE.

AND SO IT'S EASY TO SAY THAT, OH YEAH, HE DID THIS, THIS, AND HE PAINTED AND THEN HE DID THIS, THIS AND THIS.

SO THE PAINTING, HIS WHOLE LIFE WAS ARTISTIC.

HIS WHOLE LIFE WAS A WORK OF ART.

HE AND ANNA'S TOTAL EXISTENCE WAS A WORK OF ART AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT DREW PEOPLE TO HIM A LOT.

YOU WOULD GO DOWN THE LIST AND PAINTING IS IN THERE AS ONE OF THEM, PART OF HIS LIFE THAT HE WAS VERY PROUD OF.

BUT WHEN YOU DO SO MANY OTHER THINGS IN YOUR LIFE THAT PEOPLE ARE SO IN AWE OF, THE PAINTING SOMETIMES DON'T GET AS APPRECIATED AS I THINK HE WOULD HAVE WANTED THEM TO BE.

>> HARLAN HUBBARD WAS A TRAINED STONEMASON, TRAINED BRICK LAYER AND CRAFTSMAN, WORKED AS A CONSTRUCTION WORKER BUILDING HOUSES IN HIS TEENS AND 20s.

HE BUILT THE HOUSE HIS MOTHER LIVED IN, A VERY DIFFERENT EXPRESSION OF BUILDING THAN THIS IS.

HIS STUDIO THAT HE BUILT OUT BACK OF HIS MOTHER'S HOUSE IN FORT THOMAS ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL BRICK MASON WORK, JUST INCREDIBLE AND PAIN HOLLOW, ALL OF IT HE HELD HIMSELF TO A VERY HIGH AND TRAINED STANDARD FOR CONSTRUCTION.

>> HARLAN WROTE ABOUT HOW HE NEVER LAYS IN A SUPPLY OF WOOD.

HE DIDN'T BELIEVE IN PEOPLE THAT CUT THEIR WINTER SUPPLY OF WOOD IN THE SUMMERTIME.

HE SAID I LIKE TO GET UP BEFORE DAWN AND TAKE MY AXE AND MY SAW AND THE DOG AND GO OUT INTO THE SNOW PREDAWN AND CUT A SUPPLY OF WOOD FOR THE DAY OR TWO DAYS.

AND HE SAID SIMPLY FOR THE JOY OF DOING IT.

I REMEMBER ONE OTHER TYPE, ONE OTHER TIME, YOU KNOW, HE WAS TALKING ABOUT A GUY WHO BROUGHT HIM A ROTO TILLER, A MOTOR ON A STICK THING, A SMALL ONE, AND HE WAS TRYING TO EXPLAIN TO THE GUY WHY HE DIDN'T WANT IT.

AND HE SAID TO ME, HE SAID, IF YOU USE A CONTRAPTION LIKE THAT, THAT'S ALL YOU CAN HEAR.

YOU DON'T HEAR THE BIRDS.

YOU DON'T HEAR THE WIND IN THE TREES.

YOU DON'T HEAR ANYTHING.

ALL YOU HEAR IS THAT INFERNAL MACHINE.

AND SO I DON'T THINK HE WAS AGAINST THE LABOR SAVING DEVICE.

I MEAN, YOU KNOW, HE DIDN'T BREAK TWIGGS WITH HIS HANDS.

HE USES TOOLS.

BUT HE WANTED TO LISTEN TO EVERYTHING, BE AWARE.

HE DIDN'T WANT THAT TO DOMINATE HIS ENVIRONMENT.

>> AND FOR 25 YEARS, I CUT ALL OUR FIREWOOD WITH A HAND SAW, WORKED ON THE GARDEN WITH A HOE AND JUST ENJOYING YOURSELVES, ENJOYING ANIMAL LIFE, ENJOYING THE SEASONS AND LANDSCAPE AND ALL THAT WAS GOING ON AROUND YOU.

IF YOU DIDN'T HAVE TIME FOR THAT, YOUR LIFE WOULDN'T BE COMPLETE.

>> I REALLY WANTED TO BE THERE ON A LAUNDRY DAY.

HARLAN WROTE ABOUT THE LAUNDRY DAY A LOT.

HE TOOK GREAT PLEASURE IN IT, ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY WERE ON THE SHANTYBOAT, WHEN THEY WERE GOING DOWN THE RIVER.

AND THEY WOULD LAY OVERAT A NICE HARBOR AND IT WOULD BE THE MIDDLE OF WINTER AND A GOOD DAY WOULD COME OUT AND THEY WOULD GET THE BOILERS OUT AND BUILD A FIRE ON THE BEACH AND HAVE A LAUNDRY.

AND I THINK HARLAN TOOK A SPECIAL PLEASURE IN SEEING THE CLOTHES FLAPPING ON THE LINES.

SO THAT A PASSING TOW BOAT OR EVEN A STEAM BOAT BACK THEN IN THE EARLY 50s OR LATE 40S, THERE WOULD BE A SHANTYBOAT NEXT TO THIS CREEK WITH A BIG LOAD OF LAUNDRY BLOWING INTO THE BREEZE.

I THINK HE REALLY ENJOYED THE FACT THAT HE WAS SAYING THERE IS CIVILIZATION HERE.

THERE IS NO TOWN HERE, THERE IS NO ROAD HERE BUT CIVILIZED PEOPLE ARE HERE AND ENJOYING LIFE.

>> HARLAN WOULD BE DISAPPOINTED IN US AT THE AMOUNT OF FISH THAT WE HAVE CAUGHT.

>> WE HAVE NOT TAKEN MUCH OUT OF THIS RIVER.

>> YOU MEAN THE ONE THAT WE'VE CAUGHT SO FAR?

>> THE CATFISH THAT WAS THAT BIG THAT WE'VE-- I'VE GOT A LINE IN NOW.

WE'LL SEE, BUT... >> AND WE ARE STILL EXPERIMENTING WITH OUR TROUT LINE.

>> YES.

THE TROUT LINE, WE TOOK A STAB AT IT LAST NIGHT.

THAT WAS A BUST.

WE'LL TRY THAT AGAIN ANOTHER NIGHT.

BUT BY FOLLY, WE ARE GOING TO GET AT LEAST ONE MEAL FROM THIS.

EITHER THAT OR WE ARE GOING TO FIND SOME OPOSSUM ON THE BANK.

(NATURE SOUNDS) >> OH YEAH WE GOT SOMETHING.

HE SEEMS PRETTY-- HE'S A GOOD ONE, ART.

OH BOY.

WE ARE GOING TO NEED THE NET.

ANY CHANCE YOU CAN GET THE NET?

WE'LL BE HALVING CATFISH TONIGHT CAN YOU COME DOWN AND SCOOP HIM?

ALL RIGHT.

HERE WE GO!

>> YOU HOLD THIS GUY.

>> ALL RIGHT, LET YOU BRING THAT BARREL OVER HERE.

HE BARELY FITS IN THERE.

OKAY, GET HIM IN THERE.

THAT WAS ONE OF THE LITTLE HOOKS.

ALL RIGHT.

WE GOT DINNER.

>> WE GOT DINNER.

DON'T LET HIM GO, ART.

>> HERE WE GO.

GONNA SKIN Mr. CATFISH.

ART IS BRAVE ENOUGH TO TAKE THIS ON.

>> LOOKING FOR THE BONE.

THERE'S THE BONE.

>> OKAY.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE ARE GOING TO HOLD THIS GUY BACK AND WE ARE GOING TO MAKE THE FIRST INCISION RIGHT THERE.

>> NOW DID YOU WANT TO CUT THOSE OFF WITH THE WIRE THINGS AS HE SAID?

>> NO, NOT RIGHT NOW.

>> I WOULD TURN THE FISH AROUND.

>> OH YOU MEAN AND GO FROM RIGHT TO LEFT?

>> YEAH SO YOU ARE CUTTING THERE.

>> THAT'S A LITTLE TOUGH FOR ME TO DO.

>> IS THAT HARD?

>> YEAH, BECAUSE I'M RIGHT HANDED.

>> YOU DO WHATEVER IS COMFORTABLE.

>> LET'S DO THIS.

HE NEEDS TO BE ON HIS SIDE.

>> JUST REMEMBER THERE IS NO ONE WAY TO DO THIS.

SOME REAL FISHERMEN MIGHT SEE THIS AND THEY'RE JUST GOING TO BE SHAKING THEIR HEADS.

>> ISN'T THAT THE TRUTH.

>> WHAT ARE THESE BOYS DOING TO THAT POOR FISH?

>> I THINK I DID A FAIRLY GOOD JOB FOR MY INITIAL FILET.

I DON'T THINK I WASTED A WHOLE LOST OF THE MEAT AND I DON'T THINK WE HAD ANY BONES IF IN IT.

SO I'M GOING TO GIVE MYSELF A B MINUS ON THE FILET.

AND THANK GOD FOR YOUTUBE.

>> YOU ARE A GENEROUS GRADER.

[LAUGHTER] >> GRADING ON THE CURVE.

>> YOU ARE A GOOD MAN.

>> THANK YOU.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR GIFT.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >> GOOD MORNING.

>> GOOD MORNING.

>> COMING UP ON THE CAROLTON BRIDGE WHERE THE KENTUCKY EMPTIED IN THE OHIO.

WE ARE GOING TO GET TO PLAY WITH THE BIG BOYS ON THE OHIO.

COAL BARGES, THE POLICE SAY THEY'RE UNDEFEATED.

LET'S HOPE WE DON'T HAVE TO FIND OUT.

>> WE JUST HAVE TO GO BY THE BIG BOAT THEORY.

THE BIGGER THE BOAT, THE FURTHER AWAY YOU STAY.

JUST RESPECT IT.

RESPECT THE TONNAGE.

THEY'RE PUSHING TONS AND TONS, HUNDREDS OF TONS, THOUSANDS OF TONS OF CARGO.

AND THEY CANNOT STOP ON A DIME.

IT MIGHT TAKE THEM A HALF MILE JUST TO SLOW DOWN ENOUGH TO AVOID YOU.

>> BIG BAD OHIO!

AIN'T SO BIG AND BAD, OHIO!

[LAUGHTER] I'M MESSING WITH THE RIVER GODS NOW.

>> RIGHT FROM THE START.

>> OH MY GOD.

THE GODS ARE GOING TO RISE UP AND SMACK US DOWN.

>> THE SHANTYBOATERS ARE GONE, BUT THE ENDURING STEREOTYPES REMAIN.

>> I FOUND THIS BOOK IN THE LOCAL LIBRARY.

AND IT PRETTY MUCH REFLECTS THAT SAME ATTITUDE, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS PUBLISHED IN 1994.

UNCLE SHAB LIVES ON A SHANTYBOAT GOING DOWN, DOWN, EVER DOWNSTREAM.

UNCLE SHAB LIVED ON A SHANTYBOAT.

THEY CALLED IT THE SHABBIEST THING AFLOAT.

LOOKS MORE LIKE A HOME FOR A PIG OR A GOAT, GOING DOWN, DOWN, EVER DOWNSTREAM.

MY UNCLE SHAB NEVER TOOK HIM A WIFE.

GOING DOWN, DOWN, EVER DOWN STREAM.

MY UNCLE SHAB NEVER TOOK HIM A WIFE BECAUSE WOMEN SEE HIM COMING AND WOULD RUN FOR THEIR LIFE.

OR SKEDADDLE HIM AWAY WITH A SKILLET OR KNIFE.

GOING DOWN, DOWN, EVER DOWNSTREAM.

WEREN'T A THING IN THE WORLD BUT A CABIN ON A RAFT, GOING DOWN, DOWN, EVER DOWNSTREAM, NOT A THING IN THE WORLD BUT A CABIN ON A RAFT, A COUPLE OF KEEN FOLKS.

THE SOONER FOLKS SAW IT, THE SOONER FOLKS LAUGHED, GOING DOWN, DOWN, EVER DOWNSTREAM.

THEY SAY ON THE RIVER WHEN THE MOON IS BRIGHT, GOING DOWN, DOWN EVER DOWNSTREAM, THEY SAY ON THE RIVER WHEN THE MOON IS BRIGHT, IF YOU WATCH AND SQUINT YOUR EYES JUST RIGHT, YOU'LL SEE A SHANTYBOAT PASS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT GOING DOWN, DOWN, EVER DOWNSTREAM.

SO I GUESS I'M UNCLE SHAB.

>> OBVIOUSLY A LOT OF SHANTYBOATERS, THEY WERE ALMOST FORCED ON TO THE RIVER BECAUSE THEY DID NOT HAVE THE RESOURCES AND THEY WERE LOOKING FOR A WAY TO LIVE AS SIMPLY AND CHEAPLY AS THEY COULD.

THIS WAS CLEARLY A CHOICE FOR HARLAN AND ANNA, YOU KNOW, BOTH WELL EDUCATED, ANNA WAS WORKING IN A LIBRARY WHEN THEY MET.

ARTISTS, MUSICIANS BUT THERE THIS WAS A LIFE CHOICE THEY MADE TO SPEND THEIR LIFE FIRST ON THE RIVER AND THEN AT PAIN HOLLOW, REALLY SORT OF LIVING THEROUX'S PHILOSOPHY ABOUT BEING CLOSE TO NATURE AND LIVING SIMPLY.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >> THE BARGES SURPRISINGLY LEAVE VERY LITTLE WAKE.

IT'S THE PLEASURE BOATS THAT REALLY ROCKED US.

THE BARGES, THEY'RE GOING PRETTY SLOW, AND THEY'RE OUT IN THE MIDDLE AND THEY NEVER-- THEIR WAKE NEVER BOTHERED US.

BUT YOU TALK ABOUT HAVING RESPECT FOR THE RIVER, YOU REALLY HAVE TO HAVE RESPECT FOR THE BARGES.

AS THE PATROL, THE LOUISVILLE POLICE PATROL BOATS SAID THE BARGES ARE UNDEFEATED.

ANY TIME THE BARGES COLLIDE WITH SOMEONE, THEY WIN.

♪ RIVER TAKE ME ALONG IN YOUR SUNSHINE, SING ME YOUR SONG ♪ ♪ EVER MOVING AND WINDING AND FREE ♪ ♪ YOU'RE ROLLING OLD RIVER, YOU CHANGE AN OLD RIVER ♪ ♪ THAT'S YOU AND ME RIVER, RUN DOWN TO THE SEA ♪ >> RING THE BELL.

(BELL RINGING) >> TOE HEAD ISLAND!

>> THERE WE GO!

>> WE ARE STILL ALIVE AND THE BOAT IS STILL AFLOAT SO THAT'S AN A PLUS.

>> THE RIVER GAVE US A LOT OF GIFTS.

IT FED US.

IT GAVE US GREAT WEATHER.

IT ATTRACTED GOOD PEOPLE THAT ACTUALLY TOOK CARE OF US.

THE RIVER HAS BEEN GOOD FOR US ON THIS TRIP.

♪ SUNSHINE SING ME YOUR SONG, EVER MOVING AND WINDING AND FREE.

♪ YOU ROLL AN OLD RIVER, YOU CHANGE AN OLD RIVER ♪ ♪ LET'S YOU AND ME RIVER RUN DOWN TO THE SEA ♪ (BELL RINGING) (BANJO MUSIC)