"Of course, everything is flown in there including our horses, our fuel, our food," Perrins said. "So it's quite a project to move a complete production team out there -- which we started small, formed our own production team and named it Rainy Pass Productions."
The Perrins hired cinematographers and editors, and the family all pitched in.
The first season consisted of 13 one-hour episodes which a rural television network picked up, placing the show on cable stations worldwide.
In one episode, the family highlights the annual Iditarod sled dog race. Each year the lodge serves as a checkpoint on the trail. Weathered in, the family must find housing for nearly 100 unexpected overnight guests.
At first, having the cameras running 24 hours a day, 7 days a week was a bit overwhelming.
"It was a little hard, yeah, doing that," said Denise Perrins. "But they're really great, and when we need our privacy they give it to us."
"At first it was a little awkward, with the cameras following me around, but I'd say after the second month I was kind of used to it," said Clay Perrins.
In fact, now they love it and hope people get a good understanding of how they live in what could be a first: a wholesome reality TV show.
"I hope people kind of pick up on the idea and get back to the core family values and spending time with your family, said Chase Perrins. "You know, sitting around the dinner table together and stuff."
"It's been a lot of fun," said Steve Perrins, Jr. "I like that all our family can stay together, and it's a good excuse to keep us involved doing stuff together."
But it's not all sunshine.
"There's definitely some spots where one of us is in a bad mood or arguing and said something that we are a little embarrassed of later on," said Steve, Jr.
Throughout the show, the family shares all the adventures that come with running a lodge in rural Alaska -- hoping they will find a large audience for their brand of reality.
So far the Perrins, with a few investors, have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to broadcast their show. Now, they're hoping advertisers and a big network will buy in.
"I think as a entrepeneur you have to look entrepreneurpicture and be able to take a risk," said Steve Perrins. "And we've been fortunate. We've got folks that are hanging in there with us and are supporting us, but it's an outgo right now."
And Steve's still hopeful he may get more than a big television deal out of the whole thing.
"We're hoping, maybe, to get some of them married off out of this," Steve said, laughing.
All jokes aside, Clay did get a girlfriend.
"She came up first year to film the show, and that's were we met," Clay said.
The rest of the boys are taking fame as it comes.
"Wherever it goes, it goes," said Colton Perrins. "And I'm just glad to have a chance to do it, just kind of ride it wherever the train goes."
It's going to the Mat-Su Valley next. The Matanuska Telephone Association just picked up the series for next season, and the Perrins hope for a few more seasons after that.
Season two begins Jan. 10. You can see it locally on RFD-TV. There will be a big kickoff party in Anchorage at the Peanut Farm Jan. 12. You can meet the entire family that night, and also enter to win a trip to the lodge during this year's Iditarod.
Contact Megan Baldino at mbaldino@ktuu.com
