>> "VISITING WITH HUELL HOWSER" IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH A GENEROUS GRANT FROM... [CAPTIONING MADE POSSIBLE BY KCET PUBLIC TELEVISION] Huell: WELL, HELLO, EVERYBODY.

I'M HUELL HOWSER.

AND YOU KNOW, OVER THE PAST 20, 30 YEARS, I BET I'VE DONE A THOUSAND, MAYBE 10,000 STORIES ON EVERY SUBJECT YOU CAN IMAGINE.

BUT BELIEVE ME, THIS WILL BE A FIRST.

THIS IS RATHER OBSCURE AND WONDERFUL.

IT'S ONE OF THOSE LITTLE TIDBITS OF LIFE THAT I HAVE STUMBLED UPON QUITE BY ACCIDENT, AND I THINK IT IS VERY INTERESTING FOR ALL OF US TO HEAR ABOUT.

NOW, LET ME SET IT UP.

WE HAVE COME TO THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY.

I'M STANDING HERE IN THE BACK YARD WITH GENE AND HIS WIFE.

YOUR NAME IS?

>> MADELINE.

Huell: NOW, YOU KNOW I MET YOUR HUSBAND A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, WASN'T IT?

>> YEAH.

YES.

Huell: WE WERE HAVING LUNCH... >> THE FRENCH GARDEN.

Huell: AT THE FRENCH GARDEN DOWN IN THE INDUSTRIAL PART OF L.A. BECAUSE YOU USED TO MANUFACTURE, SUPERVISE THE MANUFACTURE OF BLUE JEANS DOWN THERE.

>> MY SON'S BUSINESS, AND I KIND OF WORKED WITH HIM, YES.

Huell: AND WE MET OVER LUNCH AT THE FRENCH GARDEN, AND WE WERE JUST KIND OF TALKING AND TALKING AND TALKING ABOUT EVERYTHING, RIGHT?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

Huell: AND SOMEHOW OR ANOTHER IN THE CONVERSATION, YOU MENTIONED TO ME SOMETHING ABOUT YOU AND YOUR WIFE THAT ABSOLUTELY CAPTIVATED ME THE FIRST TIME I HEARD IT, AND IT'S TAKEN A WHILE, BUT WE ARE HERE TODAY TO SHARE THIS STORY.

DO YOU THINK THIS IS AN UNUSUAL STORY?

>> NO.

[LAUGHS] Huell: WELL, HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF ANYBODY ELSE DOING THIS, VOLUNTARILY?

>> NO, NO.

[LAUGHS] Huell: ALL RIGHT.

SO IT IS INTERESTING.

TELL US WHAT IT IS THAT YOU AND YOUR WIFE HAVE DONE FOR HOW MANY YEARS NOW?

>> UH, A GOOD 15 YEARS.

Huell: OK. AND YOU THINK IT MAY BE CLOSER TO 20?

>> OH, 17, PROBABLY.

Huell: YEAH.

OK. NOW HOW DID IT ALL START?

LET'S TALK ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED.

YOU MADE A TRIP TO YOSEMITE.

>> WE WENT UP TO YOSEMITE CAMPING WITH MY NEPHEW AND HIS FAMILY, AND WE SLEPT UP IN A TENT UP IN YOSEMITE.

Huell: AND YOU ENJOYED THE CAMPING EXPERIENCE.

>> WE LOVED THE AIR, THE TREES.

Huell: SLEEPING OUTSIDE.

>> OUTSIDE.

SO WE CAME HOME AND PUT OUR AIR MATTRESS DOWN, OUR SLEEPING BAG IS ON TOP, UNDERNEATH OUR LITTLE PINE TREE.

Huell: SO YOU BROUGHT THE CAMPING EXPERIENCE BACK TO THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY, TO YOUR BACK YARD.

>> YES.

Huell: NOW, LET'S LOOK AT WHERE YOU DID THIS.

HOW DID THIS START?

IT STARTED, ACTUALLY, NOT WITH A TENT, BUT WITH A SLEEPING BAG, DIDN'T IT?

>> YES.

YES.

Huell: YOU JUST PULLED YOUR SLEEPING BAGS OUT HERE AND SLEPT OUT HERE.

>> WE NEVER SLEPT IN A TENT HERE, JUST IN YOSEMITE.

Huell: JUST ON SLEEPING BAGS.

>> YEAH.

Huell: AND LET'S TALK ABOUT THIS AREA OVER HERE BECAUSE THIS IS WHERE YOU WOULD SLEEP FOR YEARS.

>> YES, YES.

Huell: EXPLAIN WHAT THIS SITUATION IS ALL ABOUT.

>> WELL...[LAUGHS] WE STARTED ON THE GROUND AND THEN GRADUATED TO A ROLL-AWAY BED WITH AN AIR MATTRESS ON IT AND OUR SLEEPING BAGS, AND PRETTY SOON, I WAS PUTTING BEDDING ON THE AIR MATTRESS.

Huell: [LAUGHS] AND SLEEPING OUT HERE.

>> AND SLEEPING OUT HERE.

Huell: EVERY NIGHT.

>> EVERY NIGHT, HUELL.

Huell: RIGHT UNDER THAT TREE.

>> UNDER THAT TREE.

>> RIGHT UNDERNEATH THAT PINE TREE.

I'VE TOPPED IT SO IT LOOKS LIKE A MUSHROOM.

Huell: UH-HUH.

>> AND THERE WE SLEPT.

Huell: NOW, HOW MANY YEARS DID THIS GO ON?

AND THIS DIDN'T GO ON EVERY NIGHT DURING THE YEAR BECAUSE DURING THE WINTER TIME, WHEN IT WOULD RAIN, YOU COULDN'T SLEEP OUT HERE, COULD YOU?

>> WELL, THEN, WE WOULD MOVE OUR SLEEPING FROM UNDERNEATH THIS TREE UP TO THE PATIO.

Huell: HERE WE GO.

WE'VE GOT MORE TO THIS STORY.

LET'S GO OVER TO THE PATIO.

SO THIS IS WHERE--THIS IS THE BED.

COME ON IN HERE.

COME ON INTO YOUR BEDROOM.

THIS IS WHERE YOU SLEEP IN THE WINTERTIME.

>> THIS IS WHERE WE SLEEP IN THE WINTERTIME.

Huell: NOW, WHAT DO YOU PREFER, SLEEPING OUT IN THE OPEN LIKE THIS, OR SLEEPING KIND OF BACK HERE WHERE IT'S A LITTLE PROTECTED?

>> OUT IN THE OPEN.

OUT IN THE OPEN.

>> OUTSIDE.

Huell: REALLY?

>> YEAH.

YEAH.

Huell: WHAT'S SO GREAT ABOUT SLEEPING OUTSIDE?

>> IT'S JUST--NO WINDOWS TO LOOK AT, NO WALLS.

WE JUST LOOK UP AT THE SKY.

Huell: YEAH.

AND IT'S REALLY GOT TO BE AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE NIGHT AFTER NIGHT.

>> OH, YES.

Huell: ARE YOU EVER TEMPTED TO GO INTO THE BEDROOM?

>> NO, NEVER.

Huell: REALLY?

>> WELL, WE HAVE HAD TO.

IN FACT, LAST FALL, WE DID BECAUSE OF THE ASH IN THE AIR FOR 3 NIGHTS, AND I SAID, "I'M CHOKING TO DEATH," AND HE FELT THE SAME WAY.

SO WE MOVED BACK OUTSIDE.

Huell: BUT OTHER THAN THAT, 99.9% OF THE TIME, YOU'RE EITHER BACK IN HERE--AND THIS IS OPEN, STILL.

THIS IS THE NIGHT AIR.

SO YOU PROBABLY WOULDN'T DO VERY WELL IN AIR CONDITIONING, WOULD YOU?

YOU DON'T LIKE ARTIFICIAL AIR.

>> NOT A BIT.

NOT A BIT.

Huell: DID ALL OF THIS KIND OF COME UP ON YOU AT ONCE, THIS CONCEPT OF SLEEPING OUTSIDE, OR IS IT SOMETHING--DID IT SURPRISE YOU THAT YOU'VE ENDED UP DOING THIS?

>> IT DIDN'T SURPRISE ME, BUT WE NEVER--ONCE WE STARTED DOING IT, WE DIDN'T CONSIDER ANYTHING ELSE.

[LAUGHS] Huell: HAVE YOU HAD ANY GREAT OUTDOOR EXPERIENCES SINCE YOU'VE BEEN DOING THIS?

>> A FEW FUNNY ONES, BUT NOT-- [LAUGHS] Huell: WELL, GIVE ME A FUNNY ONE.

>> WELL, WHEN WE HAD THE AIR MATTRESS ON THE ROLLAWAY BED, WE'D HAVE TO KEEP ADDING AIR BECAUSE, OK, WE WANTED IT FIRM.

AND ONE MORNING, I STARTED TO GET UP OUT OF BED, AND HE TURNED OVER AT THE SAME TIME, AND THE AIR MATTRESS FLIPPED HIM OVER ON THE BRICKS WITH THE AIR MATTRESS ON TOP OF HIM AND ALL THE BEDDING.

AND HE WAS-- Huell: WELL, THAT'S ONE OF THE-- >> I THOUGHT IT WAS FUNNY.

Huell: IF YOU'RE GOING TO STAY OUTSIDE, YOU GOT TO--ANY ANIMALS COME VISIT YOU AT NIGHT?

>> I, ONCE IN A WHILE, HAVE HAD A CAT RUN ACROSS THE BED, YOU KNOW.

NOTHING LIKE--JUST CATS.

Huell: YEAH.

AND DOES IT GET COLD?

YOU DON'T HAVE AN ELECTRIC BLANKET.

YOU JUST HAVE A QUILT.

>> OH, NO.

WE HAVE AN ELECTRIC BLANKET IN THE WINTER.

YES.

[LAUGHS] Huell: SO YOU DID BRING SOME OF THE CONVENIENCES OF HOME-- >> AH, YES.

Huell: OUTSIDE WITH YOU.

>> WELL, IT GETS PRETTY COLD.

WE WAKE UP IN THE MORNING, THERE'S FROST ON ALL THE LEAVES.

>> SOMETIMES.

>> SOMETIMES.

SO IT DOES GET COLD.

Huell: WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'VE GAINED?

AND LET'S MOVE BACK OUTSIDE, 'CAUSE IT'S KIND OF SHADOWY IN HERE AND PROTECTED.

I LIKE IT MORE OUT HERE.

AND IT'S NOT GOING TO BE LONG BEFORE YOU'RE GOING TO BE MOVING YOUR BED BACK OUTSIDE AGAIN, RIGHT?

>> IN MARCH.

>> IN MARCH.

Huell: MARCH?

SO IT WILL BE OUT HERE.

YOU'LL BE SLEEPING UNDER THE LITTLE TREE FROM MARCH UNTIL--WHAT, OCTOBER, NOVEMBER?

>> THE FIRST OF OCTOBER.

Huell: THEN YOU DRAG THE BED IN.

>> UH-HUH.

Huell: AND STAY UNDER THE PATIO COVER FOR THE WINTERTIME.

>> YEP.

Huell: WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'VE GAINED BY THIS?

I'M JUST TRYING TO THINK HOW MANY PEOPLE OUT THERE-- [LAUGHS] Huell: BECAUSE YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU THINK OF CAMPING OUTSIDE, YOU THINK OF YOSEMITE AND THAT KIND OF CAMPING.

UNFORTUNATELY, A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE FORCED TO SLEEP OUTSIDE--THE HOMELESS AND OTHERS, SOMETIME, HAVE TO SLEEP OUTSIDE.

BUT YOU'RE DOING IT VOLUNTARILY.

NOBODY'S--YOU KNOW, YOU'VE GOT A BEDROOM IN THERE, DON'T YOU, SOMEWHERE IN THE HOUSE?

>> YEAH, WE HAVE SEVERAL.

Huell: YOU'VE GOT LOTS OF SPARE BEDROOMS, 'CAUSE YOUR BEDROOM'S OUTSIDE.

WHAT DO YOU TELL PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO ARE HEARING THIS STORY AND--AND REALIZING HOW HAPPY YOU ALL HAVE BEEN ALL THESE YEARS SLEEPING OUTSIDE AND WONDERING WHETHER THEY CAN DO IT THEMSELVES?

>> WELL, NOT MANY PEOPLE, I DON'T THINK, WANT TO DO IT, ESPECIALLY THE WOMEN.

THEY--OH, BUGS, AND, OH, AND--CRITTERS, YOU KNOW, AND HERE THEY GO.

>> YEAH.

WE-- >> YEAH.

WE DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT.

DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT.

BUT I JUST WON'T GO INSIDE NOW.

Huell: YOU CAN'T GET HIM INSIDE?

>> WELL, I'M THE SAME WAY.

I LOVE IT.

I LOVE IT.

Huell: WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF IT?

TALK EVERYBODY INTO IT.

[LAUGHTER] Huell: WE WANT HALF OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SLEEPING OUTSIDE LIKE YOU ARE, BECAUSE I THINK IT'S GOOD FOR YOUR HEALTH.

>> OH, THE AIR IS SO MUCH BETTER THAN BEING IN THE CLOSED HOUSE.

Huell: YEAH.

>> YOU KNOW, I HAVE FRIENDS THAT SAY THEY KEEP THE HOUSE CLOSED AND 72, 73 DEGREES.

I THINK, OH, MY GOODNESS GRACIOUS.

Huell: YEAH.

>> OH.

WE WOULD--NO, NO.

Huell: CAN YOU-- >> I JUST FEEL BETTER.

I JUST FEEL BETTER.

I JUST FEEL BETTER, YOU KNOW?

Huell: YOU THINK JUST PHYSICALLY, OR DO YOU THINK MENTALLY AND SPIRITUALLY AND EMOTIONALLY, THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT IT?

>> ALL, ALL OF WHAT YOU SAID, YES.

Huell: BECAUSE, SEE, I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT YOU BOTH HAVE PICKED UP ON OVER THE YEARS BUT MAYBE HAVEN'T THOUGHT A LOT ABOUT, IS JUST THE SENSE OF PEACE AND THE SENSE IT GIVES YOU.

WE'RE SO CROWDED, AND EVERYTHING IS SO HUSTLE-BUSTLE HERE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

BUT EVEN HERE ON THIS STREET IN THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY, WHICH-- YOU KNOW, YOU'VE GOT HOUSES ALL UP AND DOWN.

WHEN YOU'RE SLEEPING OUTSIDE, YOU PROBABLY DO GET THAT SENSE OF PEACE, DON'T YOU?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

ABSOLUTELY.

I LOOK FORWARD TO GOING TO BED.

>> YES, WE DO.

>> I MEAN, I REALLY, REALLY DO.

>> THE BEST TIME OF MY LIFE IS WHEN I GO TO BED.

Huell: YEAH.

>> IT'S JUST NEAT.

Huell: YEAH.

>> IT'S RESTFUL.

I REALLY FEEL RESTED.

Huell: WELL, IT'S A SIMPLE LITTLE STORY, IN ONE ASPECT, ABOUT A COUPLE WHO SLEEP OUTSIDE AND HAVE BEEN DOING IT FOR BETWEEN 15 AND 20 YEARS.

WE'RE STILL UP FOR DEBATE WHETHER IT'S 17 OR 15 OR 20, BUT IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME.

YOU'RE NEVER GOING TO GO BACK INSIDE.

YOU'RE GOING TO STAY OUT HERE AS LONG AS YOU POSSIBLY CAN.

>> AS LONG AS WE CAN.

Huell: ON ONE LEVEL, IT'S A VERY SIMPLE LITTLE STORY.

ON ANOTHER, IT'S A VERY INTERESTING STORY FOR ALL OF US TO HEAR FROM YOU BECAUSE I THINK IT CAN OPEN UP POSSIBILITIES FOR ALL OF US TO KIND OF EXPAND OUR APPRECIATION OF LIVING HERE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA BECAUSE THERE ARE NOT MANY PLACES IN THE WORLD WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP OUTSIDE YEAR-ROUND.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

AND WE DO HAVE THE LUXURY.

I MEAN, YOU SAY THE STREET PEOPLE, THAT'S NOT-- YOU KNOW, THAT'S NOT LUXURY SLEEPING OUTSIDE.

BUT WE DO.

WE HAVE SECURITY, AND WE FEEL VERY SAFE.

Huell: YEAH.

>> WE FEEL VERY SAFE.

Huell: YEAH.

JUST A FEW BUGS AND CRITTERS AND CATS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> WHEN YOU WAKE UP EARLY, EARLY MORNING, AND THE AIR SMELLS SO GOOD--YOU KNOW, THE ORANGE TREES, THE BLOOMING PLANTS AND FLOWERS.

AND YOU KNOW, WHEN THE MOON'S OUT, AND--IT'S BEAUTIFUL.

IT'S BEAUTIFUL.

WE LOVE IT.

Huell: YEAH.

>> YEAH.

Huell: I THINK I'M GOING TO TRY IT, AND I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE WATCHING ARE GOING TO TRY IT AS WELL.

>> I'VE TALKED TO SO MANY PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, OFF AND ON.

I THINK THAT FELLAS WOULD LIKE TO TRY IT, BUT THEY SAY, OH, THE WIFE WON'T DO IT.

Huell: WELL, YOU KEEP PUTTING THE WOMEN DOWN.

I THINK THE WOMEN ENJOY IT AS MUCH AS THE MEN.

>> WELL, I HAVE NOT FOUND MANY WOMEN--YOU MENTIONED-- >> HE'S BEEN LOOKING, BUT HE HASN'T FOUND ANY!

[LAUGHTER] Huell: 'CAUSE I THINK SHE'S LEADING THE CHARGE!

I THINK, IF TRUTH BE KNOWN, SHE'S PROBABLY THE ONE WHO CAME UP WITH THE ORIGINAL IDEA AND BROUGHT YOU ALONG.

>> MOST LIKELY.

MOST LIKELY.

Huell: YEAH.

WELL, TRY IT EITHER AS A COUPLE OR BY YOURSELF.

EITHER WAY, IT'S GOING TO WORK OUT JUST FINE.

IT'S SUCH A PLEASURE TO MEET YOU.

GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

WHEN YOU TOLD ME THAT STORY YEARS AGO, DID YOU THINK I WAS GOING TO FOLLOW THROUGH AND ACTUALLY SHOW UP AT YOUR HOUSE?

>> NO.

Huell: [LAUGHS] HE WOULDN'T HAVE TOLD ME IF HE HAD KNOWN THAT.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

IT'S BEEN A REAL PLEASURE.

THERE'S WHERE THEY SLEEP IN THE SUMMERTIME.

THEY MOVE THAT TABLE THAT'S COVERED BY A TARP.

NOW, YOU'VE USED THAT TARP YOURSELF, HAVEN'T YOU?

>> OH, YEAH.

YEAH.

I LEAVE THAT IN THE--IF IT STARTS TO RAIN, SHE RUNS INTO THE HOUSE, AND I COVER MYSELF UP.

Huell: YOU'RE JUST HAPPY JUST UNDER THE TARP.

>> OH, IT SOUNDS SO NICE.

Huell: [LAUGHS] SLEEPING OUTSIDE THERE IN THE SUMMER, SLEEPING OVER HERE IN THE WINTER.

>> OH, WE GET THE HEAVY RAINS, YOU KNOW, GET UNDERNEATH THIS OVERHANG.

IT JUST SOUNDS--IT SOUNDS GREAT.

Huell: YEAH.

>> I LOVE IT.

Huell: SLEEPING OUTSIDE.

ALL'S RIGHT WITH THE WORLD.

AND THERE'S THE COUPLE RIGHT THERE WHO HAVE BEEN SLEEPING OUTSIDE TOGETHER ALL THESE YEARS.

OK. WE HAVE LEFT GENE AND MADELINE IN THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY--ACTUALLY, IN THE BACK YARD OF THEIR HOME IN THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY, WHERE THEY'RE PREPARING FOR ANOTHER GOOD NIGHT'S SLEEP OUTSIDE.

NOW, WE'VE COME, AS THE STORY CONTINUES, TO THE SOUTH BAY.

AND BOY, LOOK AT THIS BEAUTIFUL VIEW LOOKING OUT AT THE PACIFIC OCEAN THIS MORNING.

IT DOESN'T GET ANY PRETTIER THAN THIS.

NOW, WHAT ARE THE ODDS OF MEETING A COUPLE HERE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WHO VOLUNTARILY SLEEP OUTSIDE BEHIND THEIR HOUSE EVERY NIGHT?

I WOULD SAY THE ODDS ARE PRETTY HIGH.

NOW, LET'S GO ONE STEP FURTHER.

WHAT ARE THE ODDS OF MEETING TWO COUPLES IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WHO VOLUNTARILY SLEEP OUTSIDE IN THEIR BACK YARD EVERY NIGHT?

TWO COUPLES WHO DON'T EVEN KNOW EACH OTHER, WHO LIVE MILES AND MILES AND MILES APART IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE CITY, BOTH DOING THE SAME THING?

AND THAT'S WHAT THE REST OF THIS STORY IS ALL ABOUT.

LOOK OVER HERE.

HERE THEY ARE, JOHN, MURIEL, AND YOUR LITTLE DOG-- >> PUPPY.

Huell: PUPPY.

NOW, WE'VE COME TO YOUR HOUSE.

I'VE KNOWN YOU ALL FOR YEARS.

WE HAVE DONE 3 STORIES TOGETHER.

WE'RE FRIENDS.

I'VE BEEN TO YOUR HOUSE MANY TIMES.

AND THE WAY THIS DEVELOPED--I WAS HERE ONE TIME, AND I LOOKED OUT HERE ON YOUR OPEN BACK PORCH, AND I SAW THIS--A BED.

AND I SAID, "JOHN, MURIEL, WHAT'S THE DEAL WITH THE BED OUTSIDE?"

AND YOU SAID-- WHAT?

>> WE'VE BEEN OUTSIDE FOR 43 YEARS, GOING ON 44 YEARS.

Huell: SLEEPING OUTSIDE EVERY NIGHT.

>> RAIN, SHINE, STORM, DOESN'T MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE, WE SLEEP OUTSIDE.

WE LOVE IT.

Huell: HOW DID THIS START?

>> WELL, WE'RE OUTDOOR PEOPLE.

WE RUN RIVERS, WE OCEAN--WE RODE TO CATALINA, WE RODE DOWN THE COAST OF CALIFORNIA, WE'VE DONE THE CARIBBEAN, WE'VE DONE SOME OF THE SEA OF CORTEZ.

WE'RE OUTDOOR PEOPLE.

AND AFTER BEING ONE MONTH WITH OUR CHILDREN IN NORTHERN CANADA, WE CAME HOME, WE SAID, WHAT ARE DOING GOING IN THE HOUSE?

IT'S SO BEAUTIFUL OUT THERE.

WE CAN SEE THE MOON, WE CAN SEE THE FOG COMING IN, WE CAN SEE THE STARS.

I SAID, LET'S GO IN THE HOUSE.

UP UNTIL THAT TIME, WE ALWAYS THREW OUR DOGS AND CATS ON THE PORCH.

Huell: SO THE DOGS AND CATS SLEPT OUTSIDE, AND YOU ALL SLEPT INSIDE.

>> RIGHT.

Huell: BUT THEN, 44 YEARS AGO, YOU MADE A CHANGE.

>> WE BROUGHT THE BED OUTSIDE, THEN WE THROUGH--NOW WE HAVE 3 DOGS AND 2 CATS-- Huell: AND YOU PUT THEM INSIDE.

>> THEY ALL SLEEP INSIDE.

>> EXCEPT THE BABIES--THE BABY DOG SLEEPS WITH US, ALL SNUGGLED UP.

Huell: SO THE BABY DOG SLEEPS IN THE BED WITH YOU EVERY NIGHT?

>> YES, YES.

YES.

Huell: DOES HE LIKE SLEEPING OUTSIDE, TOO?

>> HE LOVES IT.

WELL, HE'S UNDER THE COVERS.

>> HE HAS NO CHOICE.

I HAVE HIM TIED TO MY ARM.

Huell: NOW, THERE'S A STORY, WHY YOU HAVE HIM TIED TO YOUR ARM, TOO.

>> THE REASON WHY IS WE HAVE RACCOONS, OPOSSUMS, SKUNKS, AND SQUIRRELS, SCRUB-JAYS, AND PEACOCKS.

Huell: ALL RIGHT HERE IN THE-- THEY CAN JUST COME RIGHT IN.

>> YES, THEY'RE ON THE PORCH, THEY'RE ALL OVER THE PLACE.

Huell: UH-HUH.

>> AND WHAT HAPPENED IS THIS MOTHER RACCOON HAD 2 LITTLE BABIES.

AND ONE OF THEM WE CALLED RASCAL BECAUSE HE CAME OVER AND STOLE MURIEL'S SLIPPERS.

Huell: IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT?

>> YES.

Huell: THE BABY RACCOON STOLE YOUR SLIPPERS FROM THE END OF THE BED.

>> YEAH, YEAH, THE LITTLE BAD BOY.

>> AND THEN MURIEL PUT THE SLIPPERS OUT HERE, AND SHE HAD THE OTHER SLIPPER WAS ROLLING AROUND ON TOP OF THE DECK HERE.

AND WE HEARD THE NOISE, AND HERE'S A LITTLE BABY PLAYING WITH HER OTHER SLIPPER THE NEXT NIGHT.

AND THEN THE THIRD NIGHT, WELL, IT TOOK HER BATHROBE.

AND IT DISAPPEARED, WENT OVER THE SIDE.

AND A WEEK OR SO LATER, HE PULLED THE BLANKETS OFF OUR BED.

I THOUGHT, THAT LITTLE RASCAL.

WE CAN'T HAVE THAT.

Huell: THAT'S HOW HE GOT THE NAME LITTLE RASCAL.

>> YES.

I-- Huell: SO THE RACCOON WAS STEALING EVEN YOUR BED COVERS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT.

>> YES, TRYING TO.

Huell: DIDN'T HE--AT ONE TIME, DIDN'T A RACCOON ACTUALLY KIND OF NIBBLE ON YOUR FINGERS OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT?

>> NOT MINE.

MAYBE HIS.

I FORGOT.

>> WE HAD ANOTHER DOG CALLED PIKA.

AND PIKA WAS A--HE WAS NOT SPAYED.

CONSEQUENTLY, HE WOULD RUN AWAY.

WELL, HE RAN AWAY AND HE WAS GONE ALL NIGHT LONG.

THE NEXT NIGHT, WE'RE SLEEPING, AND THIS DOG WAS NIBBLING ON HER FINGERS HANGING OFF THE BED.

AND SHE THOUGHT HER DOG CAME BACK, PIKA.

SO SHE STARTED PETTING IT.

BUT THEN I TURNED THE LIGHT ON, AND THAT LITTLE DOG HAD A MASK ON LIKE IT WAS A BANDIT.

Huell: IT WAS A RACCOON.

>> IT WAS A RACCOON.

Huell: SO YOU'VE HAD ALL KINDS OF ANIMALS COMING OVER TO CHECK UP ON YOU ALL AS YOU'RE SLEEPING HERE AT NIGHT.

>> RIGHT.

Huell: NOW, DO YOU--DO YOU USE AN ELECTRIC BLANKET?

>> OH, HEAVEN FORBID.

Huell: NO ELECTRIC BLANKET.

>> NO.

I MIGHT GET SHOCKED, YOU KNOW.

Huell: SO YOU JUST BASICALLY SLEEP-- >> WITH NICE COMFORTERS, YEAH.

Huell: NOW, DO YOU SLEEP IN THE RAIN?

>> OH, YEAH.

>> YEAH.

Huell: SO NOTHING STOPS YOU FROM-- >> NO, THE TOP OF THE HEAD GETS WET, BUT THAT'S OK. >> NO, NOT MUCH.

BUT ANYWAY, SEE, WE GOT A LITTLE ROOF.

WE GOT A LITTLE ROOF.

Huell: YEAH, BUT IT--YOU'VE GOT A ROOF UP OVER YOU, BUT YOU'VE GOT ALL OF THIS AREA OPEN.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN IT GETS WINDY?

>> WIND COMES IN AND HITS THE TOP OF MY HEAD WITH WATER.

>> WE SNUGGLE.

WE SNUGGLE.

>> AND WE GET A LITTLE WET, BUT IT DOESN'T BOTHER US BECAUSE WE SNUGGLE DOWN, OK. Huell: UH-HUH.

>> AND SLEEPING OUT HERE, SHE HAS TO BE CLOSE TO ME.

IN THE HOUSE, SHE USED TO SLEEP ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BED.

HERE, SHE HAS TO SNUGGLE TO STAY WARM.

Huell: SO, THIS IS KIND OF GOOD FOR THE RELATIONSHIP, TOO.

>> WE'RE STILL TALKING.

Huell: AND THE DOG IS IN THE BED WITH YOU AS WELL.

>> WELL, WHAT HAPPENED IS I WENT TO THE VET, AND I ASKED HIM, HOW CAN I GET RID OF THIS BABY RACCOON?

I DON'T WANT IT.

AND HE SAID, THERE'S NOTHING YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT.

SO I WENT DOWN AND TALKED TO THE ANIMAL SHELTER.

AND THE OFFICER THERE SAID, WELL, WE CAN TRAP IT.

I SAID, NO WAY, IT'S JUST A LITTLE BABY, A LITTLE RASCAL.

BUT I HAPPENED TO MEET A FRIEND OF MINE AT A RESTAURANT.

HE SAID, WHAT YOU WANT TO DO IS TAKE A DOG AND TIE IT YOUR BED.

WELL, THIS IS JUST A LITTLE DOG, SO WHAT I DO IS EVERY NIGHT I PUT HIM ON MY ARM, TUCK HIM UNDER THE BLANKETS.

AND HE HEARS REAL WELL.

WHEN THE RACCOONS COME AROUND-- Huell: SO HE'S LIKE A WATCH DOG.

>> EXACTLY.

Huell: HE WILL BARK AND SCARE OFF THE RACCOONS.

>> EXACTLY.

AND SO THAT REALLY HELPS A LOT.

Huell: LIGHT ON!

NOW, DO YOU READ OUT HERE?

>> NO, TOO COLD.

YOUR HANDS FREEZE.

YOU CAN'T READ OUT HERE.

Huell: WHAT DO YOU HAVE THE LIGHT FOR?

>> BECAUSE THE RACCOONS WILL FIGHT AT NIGHT AND THEY RUN AROUND THAT TREE.

AND WE TURN THE LIGHT ON AND WATCH THE RACCOONS CHASE EACH OTHER AROUND THE TREE.

Huell: SO YOU HAVE A LITTLE ANIMAL SHOW HERE AT NIGHT.

>> WE DO.

Huell: THANKS TO THE LIGHT.

>> YES, WE DO.

Huell: NOW, DO YOU HAVE A PHONE OUT HERE WITH YOU?

>> NO, NO.

WE HAVE A CELL PHONE, BUT WE DON'T USE IT.

Huell: DO YOU HAVE A TV OUT HERE?

>> NO, NONE OF THAT.

>> WE TALK TO EACH OTHER.

Huell: SO IT'S--BOY, THAT'S OLD-FASHIONED.

>> I KNOW, I KNOW.

Huell: YOU ACTUALLY TALK TO EACH OTHER IN BED?

THAT'S GREAT.

COMMUNICATE.

>> RIGHT.

>> YES.

Huell: SO REALLY, THIS IS PRETTY BASIC.

AND HERE IS THE--IS THIS WATERPROOF?

>> YEAH.

>> YES, IT IS.

Huell: SO IT'S LIKE A WATERPROOF THING.

AND HOW WARM IS THIS?

DO YOU MIND IF I JUST LOOK AND SEE?

>> IT'S COZY.

COZY.

Huell: YOU'VE GOT A--WHAT IS THIS?

>> A COMFORTER.

Huell: A COUPLE OF COMFORTERS.

>> YEAH.

Huell: AND A SHEET.

AND THAT'S BASICALLY IT.

>> IN THE WINTERTIME.

THEN WE TAKE THOSE OFF AND SLEEP WITH ONE BLANKET IN THE SUMMER.

Huell: IS IT BETTER OUT HERE IN THE WINTER OR THE SUMMER?

>> IT DOESN'T MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE.

BECAUSE IN THE WINTERTIME, IT GETS COLD, SO YOU PUT AN EXTRA BLANKET ON.

WE HAVE IT ON NOW.

Huell: UH-HUH.

>> BUT COME WARM WEATHER, WE TAKE--WE TAKE IT OFF AND WE JUST SLEEP WITH ONE BLANKET, AND THAT'S PLENTY WARM ENOUGH.

Huell: WOW.

>> NOW, SHE PUTS ON CLOTHES TO GO TO BED.

I SLEEP IN THE BUFF.

AND THE REASON FOR THAT IS BECAUSE YOU'RE WARMER IN THE BUFF.

ESKIMOS SLEEP IN THE BUFF IN THE IGLOOS.

THEY TAKE EVERYTHING OFF.

Huell: HE MAY BE TELLING--THIS MAY BE TOO MUCH INFORMATION.

>> IT'S TOO MUCH.

TOO MUCH.

JUST COOL IT OFF, HONEY.

>> OK, BUT SHE PUTS ON MORE CLOTHES, I TAKE IT OFF.

OK?

[HUELL LAUGHS] Huell: WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS SAY WHEN YOU TELL THEM THAT YOU SLEEP OUTSIDE?

DO THEY THINK IT'S A LITTLE STRANGE OR UNUSUAL?

NOW, BE HONEST.

>> WELL, WE DIDN'T TELL THEM-- BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN SLEEPING OUTSIDE SO LONG, ABOUT 50 YEARS, SO I CAN HARDLY REMEMBER WHAT THEY SAID.

BUT... Huell: I MEAN, YOU TAKE IT FOR GRANTED.

>> YEAH, THEY SORT OF LOOK AT US AS IF THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG WITH US.

BUT, YOU KNOW, OUTSIDE THAT.

[LAUGHS] Huell: DO YOU EVER SLEEP INSIDE?

>> IF IT POURS RAIN COMING FROM THIS WAY, WE SAY WE WILL, BUT SO FAR WE HAVEN'T.

>> LAST WEEK--2 WEEKS AGO, WE SLEPT INSIDE.

IF YOU LOOK ABOVE YOU, YOU SEE THIS IS ALL NEW.

Huell: UH-HUH.

>> IT BLEW SO HARD, IT BLEW THE ROOF OFF.

Huell: AND DOESN'T IT GET REALLY COLD SOMETIMES HERE ON THE-- >> NO.

NO, WE SNUGGLE.

>> WE GENERATE OUR OWN HEAT.

THAT WORKS OUT GOOD.

Huell: WE'RE GETTING THE POINT HERE.

WE'VE HEARD THAT BEFORE.

>> WE LIKE TO SAY THAT, YEAH.

Huell: WHAT ELSE CAN YOU--CAN YOU TELL PEOPLE WATCHING OUT THERE?

BECAUSE THE WHOLE THEME OF THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN THE BENEFITS OF SLEEPING OUTDOORS.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE THE MOST ABOUT IT, OTHER THAN THE SNUGGLING?

>> IT'S AN ADVENTURE.

WHEN YOU GO TO BED AT NIGHT, YOU HAVE AN ADVENTURE.

OK, AND YOU'RE LIVING PART OF IT.

WE CAN TELL WHEN THE FOG COMES IN.

WE CAN TELL WHEN THE MOON COMES UP.

THE AIRPLANE--FROM LAX, THEY FLIGHT RIGHT HERE.

WE SEE THEM GO RIGHT ACROSS THIS ROOF HERE AND [INDISTINCT].

SO WE SEE THE PLANES GOING AT 2:00, 3:00 IN THE MORNING.

Huell: SO YOU'RE MORE IN TOUCH WITH NATURE, AREN'T YOU?

>> EXACTLY.

WE CAN TELL YOU WHEN IT'S GONNA BE A BIG SURF.

WE DON'T HAVE TO SEE IT, WE CAN HEAR IT.

IT HITS THE CLIFFS RIGHT BELOW US, AND YOU CAN HEAR THE ROAR COMING UP HERE.

WE CAN HEAR THE FISHERMEN TALKING FROM HERE WHEN THEY'RE FISHING IN CLOSE ON SPORTFISHING BOATS.

WE CAN HEAR THEIR VOICES BECAUSE NOISE TRAVELS UP, NOT DOWN.

SO WE CAN HEAR FROM THERE OVER--WE CAN HEAR THE SEA LIONS BARKING BELOW THE CLIFFS.

Huell: WOW.

>> WE CAN SEE THE WHALES RIGHT AT THE POINT.

FROM THIS SPOT, WE CAN SEE THE BLOWS, OK.

SO, IN FACT, BEFORE WE HAD THESE BUSHES, WE COULD SEE THE WHALES WITHOUT TAKING OUR HEAD OFF OUR PILLOW.

AND THAT WAS A THRILL BECAUSE I'M IN THE WHALE BUSINESS.

I'VE TAKING OVER A MILLION CHILDREN OUT TO SEE WHALES.

I'M INTERESTED IN WHALES.

Huell: SO YOU'RE NEVER--YOU'RE NEVER EVEN TEMPTED TO GO INSIDE TO SLEEP?

>> NO.

>> NO.

INSIDE YOU HAVE NOTHING BUT GERMS, OK.

THERE'S NO GERMS OUT HERE.

THIS IS FRESH AIR.

YOU CAN SAY THERE'S NO GERMS, BUT THERE'S MITES ALL OVER THE PLACE.

Huell: YEAH, AND THERE'S AIR CONDITIONING, WHICH IS ARTIFICIAL, NOT THE REAL THING.

>> WE DON'T HAVE--WE DON'T HAVE AIR CONDITIONING.

Huell: WELL, YOU HAVE NATURE'S AIR CONDITIONING OUT HERE.

>> THE GAS COMPANY CAME UP AND INVESTIGATED US.

AND THEY SAID, IF YOU ARE NOT USING ANY GAS, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

I SAID, WE HAVE 4 HEATERS IN THE HOUSE, ONLY ONE IS LIT.

THEY'RE BRAND NEW.

THE HOUSE IS 55 YEARS OLD.

THE PILOT LIGHTS HAVE NEVER BEEN ON THE HEATERS.

"WELL, WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN IT'S COLD?"

WE PUT ON ANOTHER JACKET, THAT'S ALL.

Huell: AND YOU SLEEP OUTDOORS.

>> RIGHT.

AND WE SLEEP OUTSIDE BECAUSE IT'S HEALTHY FOR YOU.

Huell: DO YOU RECOMMEND THIS TO PEOPLE?

HOW PRACTICAL IS THIS FOR PEOPLE?

>> IT'S BEAUTIFUL, BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, YOU SEE THE SKY.

AND IT'S NICE.

IT'S NICER THAN GOING INTO A LITTLE ROOM, YOU KNOW.

Huell: YEAH.

DO YOU THINK PEOPLE CAN PULL THIS OFF?

YOU THINK PEOPLE SHOULD TRY IT?

>> SURE.

YOU SEE, OH, IT'S BEAUTIFUL.

Huell: AND YOU'RE PROTECTED FROM SKUNKS, RACCOONS, AND EVERY OTHER KIND OF CRITTER FROM LITTLE PUPPY.

>> THAT'S WHY WE SLEEP WITH THE LITTLE DOG.

>> EXACTLY.

Huell: WELL, YOU KNOW WHAT, YOU HAVE--BOTH OF YOU ARE ACCOMPLISHED.

YOU'VE LIVED LONG, RICH LIVES AND DONE MANY, MANY THINGS AND CONTINUE TO HAVE MANY GREAT ADVENTURES.

I KNOW YOU'RE A LITTLE IRRITATED THAT OF ALL THE THINGS YOU'VE DONE IN LIFE, I'VE CHOSEN TO INTERVIEW YOU TODAY ABOUT SLEEPING OUTDOORS.

JOHN SAID, "WHY ARE YOU TALKING TO ME ABOUT SLEEPING OUTDOORS INSTEAD OF ALL THE OTHER THINGS?"

>> HARDLY ANYBODY SLEEPS OUTSIDE IN SAN PEDRO OR ANY PLACE, YOU KNOW.

UNLESS THEY GO CAMPING.

>> I CALLED SAN DIEGO, 'CAUSE I FOUND THIS FELLOW THAT HAS A HOT AIR BALLOON.

WE WERE GONNA REENACT THE FIRST FLIGHT OVER THE PACIFIC OCEAN.

WE'VE DONE IT ALREADY, SO WE ARE GONNA DO IT AGAIN.

AND THIS FELLOW IN SAN DIEGO, I SAID, "I UNDERSTAND YOU HAVE A HOT AIR BALLOON.

ANY CHANCE"-- HE SAYS, "ARE YOU THAT GUY WHO SLEEPS OUTSIDE?"

I SAID, "OH, NO."

SAN DIEGO.

Huell: OF ALL THE THINGS YOU'VE DONE, THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE GONNA BE REMEMBERED FOR, AS THE COUPLE THAT SLEPT OUTDOORS.

>> I THINK WE NEED A LITTLE PIN THAT SAYS "SLEPT OUTDOORS."

"SLEEP OUTDOORS."

"SLEEP OUTDOORS."

Huell: WELL, THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH.

WE HAVE HAD AN ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL TIME.

YOU'VE GOT A BEAUTIFUL VIEW.

YOU'VE GOT A BEAUTIFUL BACK PORCH HERE.

YOU'VE GOT A BEAUTIFUL BED OUT HERE UNDER THE STARS.

WE HAVE DONE IT.

WE HAVE VISITED 2 COUPLES--YOU DON'T KNOW THE OTHER COUPLE, DO YOU?

>> WE'LL HAVE TO MEET THEM.

Huell: WE'RE GONNA HAVE A SLEEPING OUTDOORS REUNION.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

Huell: 2 COUPLES IN 2 DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE CITY WHO ARE DOING IT THE RIGHT WAY.

THEY ARE SLEEPING OUTDOORS EVERY NIGHT-- RAIN, SHINE, WIND, COLD, HEAT.

>> SKUNK.

Huell: SKUNKS.

RACCOONS.

>> YEAH.

Huell: OPOSSUMS.

YOU NAME IT, NOTHING SLOWS THEM DOWN.

THEY'RE SLEEPING OUTDOORS EVERY NIGHT AND LOVING EVERY BIT OF IT.

THERE'S A LESSON THERE FOR ALL OF US TO LEARN FROM--THAT IT'S OK, IN FACT, IT'S GREAT TO SLEEP OUTSIDE HERE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

WELL, THAT'S IT.

OUR VISIT WITH 2 COUPLES HERE IN LOS ANGELES WHO HAVE DISCOVERED THE BENEFITS AND THE JOY OF SLEEPING OUTSIDE EVERY NIGHT.

SUMMERTIME, WINTERTIME, HOT WEATHER, COLD WEATHER, THEY ARE OUTSIDE SLEEPING EVERY NIGHT.

THEY REFUSE TO GO SLEEP INSIDE THEIR BEDROOM.

AND WHO KNOWS, THEY SEEM HAPPY, MAYBE THEY'RE ONTO SOMETHING.

AT LEAST IT'S WORTH A TRY.

ALL OF US SHOULD GET OUT AND AT LEAST TRY SLEEPING OUTSIDE IN OUR BACKYARD.

NOW, HERE I'M STARTING OFF KIND OF SLOW.

I FOUND A LITTLE PIECE OF GRASS HERE IN FRONT OF THE KCET ADMINISTRATION BUILDING.

IT'S GONNA BE A LITTLE UNCOMFORTABLE BECAUSE MY FEET ARE HEADING DOWNHILL.

AND KCET SECURITY HAS ALREADY COME BY TO CHECK AND SEE WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON OVER HERE.

BUT IT SHOULD BE A LOT OF FUN, AND I'M GONNA BE SLEEPING OUT UNDER THIS BEAUTIFUL SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SKY ON THIS BEAUTIFUL SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA NIGHT.

GOOD NIGHT, EVERYBODY.

SWEET DREAMS.

OH!

OH!

[CAPTIONING MADE POSSIBLE BY KCET PUBLIC TELEVISION] [CAPTIONED BY THE NATIONAL CAPTIONING INSTITUTE --www.ncicap.org--] >> "VISITING WITH HUELL HOWSER" IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH A GENEROUS GRANT FROM...