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As the summer gets chaotic, a relaxing float on the Kenai River can be a wonderful getaway.
Starting at Mile 50.1 of the Sterling Highway, it takes about two hours to float down 10 river miles.
So we gear up and get into the raft. A simple takeoff and the adventure begins.
"The first section we're going to float through is the Chugach National Forest," said guide Kyle Kelley.
Kelley is with Alaska Wildland Adventures and knows the river well.
"Being here for 13 years, every time you go down something amazes you," said Kelley. "It's either the wildlife or just the landscaping; you might catch a different angle on it that you've never really seen."
It isn't long before the sky catches our eye.
"First wildlife spotting -- bald eagle, yes, and it's a mature bald eagle too," Kelley said. "So it's not far from its nest, they tend to stay pretty close to their grounds."
We continue to drift along the water with a few bumps here and there.
The majority of the trip is quiet and low key for now, but in a few weeks fishermen will be lining up to combat fish for salmon.
Just a short paddle down is a popular area for bears.
"The bears really like through here because there's a lot of carcasses that float back down," said Kelley.
But on this trip it wasn't the bears we found dining near the shore -- but rather people grilling.
After the two-hour boat ride, it just takes 15 minutes to get back by road.
Trips range from $35 to $55 but Alaska Wildland Adventures does have daily specials.
Contact Leyla Santiago at lsantiago@ktuu.com