The Boonies

Watched The Boonies the other night on NatGeo and was pleasantly surprised, though I probably shouldn't have been being that it is a National Geographic production. The photography and the scenery were simply beautiful.

The series follows the lives of four people who live off the grid and away from society in general. Bear Claw lives the life of a mountain nomad in northern Idaho. Dan Burton and his family live on an island in the middle of Lake Michigan. Doc and Jeannie Leverett live in north-eastern Washington State above the ground in a tree house. And Joe Ray lives in the underground caves in northern Arkansas. Each of the parties, unique in their own way, weave a story of true American spirit and survival against the odds.

The first episode established the living arrangements and a brief back story for each of the series' regulars, setting the stage for the development of an interesting and exciting storyline.

Looking forward to following the series to see how successful these folks are living off, under, above and beyond the grid!

I see a lot of reviews here saying this is boring and "lame" television. however, joe's story is unlike any other. i've never heard of anyone in the modern day living in a cave, of all things. and it's really fascinating how he lives. it's worth the watch for him alone, as well as bear claw. he's living an authentic 1800s pioneer lifestyle, and i most definitely think it's true. for a look into off the grid living and survival, this is the series to watch. it's short, i really want there to be another season- whether it revisits the previous boonie dwellers, or all new ones!

Am curious to know who owns all the properties comprising the places these folks have set up as home? Do they own it?

If they are just eating what the kill and find, how come they are not skinny? In fact, one of them is rather hefty. If all I had to eat was veggies and meat, I'd be a size two. So, I'm not buying it. A lot of it is just to far fetch. It doesn't look like anyone is hungry, have problems feeding themselves and their animals. I assume none of them go to the hospital. The only one I can believe is the guy with the boat. I get that. Anyway, it is fun to watch but just not believable.

I've had a real calling to move to the mountains and I have. I don't live totally off the grid as you can see I have the internet but much like Doc and Jeanny My wife and I live in a Forest on our own piece of Heaven. We have chickens and goats right now & looking to get some pigs "maybe". The altitude we live at is around 7500'. I get some of my best ideas from this show and Live Free or Die. Living away from society has not been a burden at all. Please bring this show back it is Great!