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Seeing Cohoe Loop residents Bob and Mary Haeg driving around paved roads in the bright yellow Hummer, its hard for some people to imagine that just a few years ago these two seniors were living a much rougher lifestyle far off the grid, but anyone that wants a glimpse into their past will get it tonight by turning on their televisions.

This evening at 9 p.m. PBS television will air "Alaska, Off The Beaten Path," a documentary about the Haeg's life in Chinitna Bay ? a 10-mile long water body that sits on the fringe of Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, about 100 miles to the north of the Katmai National Park and Preserve boundary.

"We got there in the spring of '76," remembered Bob Haeg.

For nearly 30 years, the Haeg's lived a solitary existence deep in the wilderness, and filmmakers Bob Swerer Sr. and Bob Swerer Jr. attempt to illustrate for viewers exactly what that lifestyle entailed.

"Over there it was just us, living and doing our thing. No neighbors, roads or anything like that," Bob said.

From the cockpit of a little Supercub and by foot, viewers will see some of the most remote country in Alaska. Along the way, viewers will also be treated to a good variety of wildlife, from beaver to bull moose, and some of the Heag's other regular visitors.

"It shows a lot of bears," Bob said.

While the Chinitna Bay experience was good while it lasted, the Heags said that as there were starting to be fewer days ahead than behind, they thought perhaps they should relocate. A few years ago they decided to move across Cook Inlet.

"We got too old, so we had to come out of the Bush. It was tough, but we looked for a place without a lot of commotion and when we found it (in Kasilof), we bought it. We loved it over there, though, and miss it," Bob said.

Now, in addition to their own memories photo albums, the Heags get a glimpse of Chinitna Bay whenever PBS runs the documentary, which is quite often and in numerous locations.

"It's plays all over the U.S. It's on weekly down in Minnesota and plays every couple of months here. I guess people like it," Bob said.

For more information on when the documentary will be aired and on which channel, check your local television guide listings.

Joseph Robertia can be reached at joseph.robertia@peninsulaclarion.com.