Aurora Borealis, Bubble Netting, Summer 2026
Greetings from Little Norway! It’s been an unusually cold and snowy winter here in Petersburg, Alaska. We haven’t had this much snow in years! But as the light returns and the days lengthen, our snow-capped peak, Devil’s Thumb in the Coastal Mountain Range, reveals its full magnificence, especially at twilight with the alpenglow illuminating the jagged peaks.
Northern Lights on Our Doorstep
Speaking of light, one recent evening in January, Jim and I were treated to the most beautiful sight after dinner. He first saw the lights out of the corner of his eye and went off to investigate. Calling me to the front door, we couldn’t believe our eyes: the Northern Lights, also known as Aurora Borealis, filled the sky. The solar storm expanded over the water creating a dancing green display that was the stuff of fairytales. Our hometown newspaper, The Petersburg Pilot, reported that this was the most severe geomagnetic storm since 2003, according to NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center.
Aurora Borealis over the Wrangell Narrows, Petersburg, Alaska — a rare January display during the most severe geomagnetic storm since 2003.
All Aboard! Navigating Upgrades
As we prepare for the 2026 season, Jim and I are working on some upgrades to M/Y Dauntless and Alaska Bound Charters. We now have a spacious 2024 Lincoln Navigator, which we will use to pick our guests up at the airport in Petersburg and transport them around town in comfort and style. Aboard Dauntless, we are busy working to install new carpet and ceiling, so stand by for updates on that! And, of course, we continue to cook up new recipe ideas and menus for the season ahead!
Alaska Bound Charters’ new 2024 Lincoln Navigator along the Wrangell Narrows — ready to welcome guests arriving in Petersburg, Alaska.
Waving Goodbye: A Remembrance
Some traditions we’ll never give up, but we still need to take time to observe loss and say thanks for what we had.
For years, no departure from or return to Petersburg was complete without a long blast of the horn as we passed the point at the north end of Wrangell Narrows. Jim’s mom lived right there, and she never once let us slip by unnoticed. Whether we were heading out on an adventure or coming back home, she was on that front porch, waving with her whole heart. Many of you witnessed that ritual firsthand. If you experienced it, as we have many times over the years, you know it was one of those quiet moments that made a Dauntless charter feel like something more than a trip. It’s family.
We lost Jim’s mom recently, yet in some ways she will always be with us. The Narrows will feel a little different now, but her legacy remains. That horn will still sound as we pass her point — because some traditions are worth keeping.
Fair winds, Sandra.
🕊️
2026 Availability Update
Our summer 2026 schedule is filling up fast, with just one week currently available in June, two in July, and two in August. Traveling to Alaska during the summer months is doubly exciting because the long days allow for extended adventures, cruising and exploration.
Humpback whale bubble netting, a complex cooperative feeding technique unique to this species, is a life list experience for many visitors and an awe-inspiring natural phenomenon to behold. The summer trips offer great opportunities for our guests to experience this phenomenon, which is unique to Southeast Alaska. So, check our schedule and website for more information.
Humpback whales bubble netting in Frederick Sound, Southeast Alaska — just hours from our home port on the Wrangell Narrows, aboard M/Y Dauntless.
Testimonial: Boom Baby Boom
We love it when our guests share their thoughts and comments about their trips with us. One of our summer 2025 guests, Nigel Schroder, shared this on Google Reviews:
The Dauntless offers a truly amazing and unique experience—without a doubt, the only way to see the real Alaska, with all its stunning beauty and incredible wildlife. Captain Jim’s extensive knowledge, brilliant personality, and insatiable love for life shine through in everything he does, making our experience all the more memorable. Chef Alisa is a genius in the galley; what she creates is nothing short of incredible. The flavors, imagination, and presentation are first class and incredibly fresh, as the crabs and fish were often caught by us that very morning!
So many cherished memories were made from a BBQ on the beach, witnessing a whole pod of whales swimming right next to the yacht, marveling at waterfalls and relaxing in hot springs, to swimming in ice lakes and kayaking through breathtaking scenery—the list truly goes on. Thank you so much, Jim, Alisa, and the entire crew of Dauntless. There really is only one thing left to say—BOOM BABY BOOM!
Guests enjoying the ultimate Alaska yacht charter experience aboard M/Y Dauntless — wildlife, wilderness, and world-class cuisine in Southeast Alaska.
A Taste of The Dauntless
With Valentine’s Day coming up soon, we are sharing our easy and delicious chocolate mousse recipe. It is a guest favorite; it uses two ingredients and comes together quickly. It’s basically a simple ganache, which consists of heavy cream and melted chocolate, that’s then lightened with whipped cream to become a mousse!
Easy Chocolate Mousse
While I typically use regular semisweet or milk chocolate, I sometimes like to swap in flavored options such as chili- or orange-flavored chocolate for a little variety. I find it best to avoid using chocolate bars with added crunch or texture, since it’s much easier to introduce and adjust that later. Once your mousse is made, you can play around with your add-ins—chopped nuts, bourbon cherries, caramel, or whatever strikes your fancy.
As versatile as ganache itself, mousse can also be enjoyed immediately or chilled for later. It can also be piped into a graham cracker crust or layered with berries, served plain and simple, or spooned into elegant dishes.
| YIELD 6 servings |
| PREP TIME 20 minutes |
| COOK TIME 5 minutes |
| TOTAL TIME 25 minutes |
Ingredients
| • | 3 cups heavy cream (divided) |
| • | 2 cups chocolate chips (or 16 ounces chopped chocolate bar(s)) |
| • | 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or shot (about 1 tablespoon) liqueur (bourbon, Baileys, or Grand Marnier) |
| • | Optional add-ins: chopped nuts, bourbon cherries, caramel, fresh berries |
Directions
| 1 | Whip 2 cups of heavy cream on low to medium speed, increasing to medium-high speed as cream thickens and starts to hold its shape. Refrigerate. |
| 2 | Place the remaining 1 cup of heavy cream in a medium saucepan over medium heat, removing from the heat as soon as cream begins to simmer (about 4-5 minutes). |
| 3 | Add chocolate to the heated cream, and stir until smooth and glossy. Allow to cool to room temperature. |
| 4 | Fold whipped cream into the cooled mixture, followed by vanilla or liqueur of choice, add-ins if using. |
| 5 | Spoon mousse into serving cups and refrigerate. Allow to firm up (about 30 minutes) before serving. |
Chef Alisa’s easy two-ingredient chocolate mousse — a guest favorite aboard M/Y Dauntless, Alaska Bound Charters.
Cheers and best wishes for many adventures ahead!
Jim and Alisa
Wrangell Narrows, Petersburg, Alaska
