If you'd rather place an order by talking to one of our cheerful order desk clerks, please call 1-888-232-4444 (USA and Canada only) or 250-383-6864. From Europe, ring our UK order desk clerk at local rate number 0845 230 9601 (UK only) or 44 (0)1865 722 113.

Day by Day to Alaska: Queen Charlotte Islands and Around Vancouver Island

by Dale R. Petersen

247 pages; quality trade paperback (softcover); catalogue #00-0012; ISBN 1-55212-348-0; US$26.00, C$29.95, EUR21.00, £15.00

The central theme is a 2,500 mile trip taken over 23 days by the author in a 21-foot powerboat, Day by Day, from Puget Sound to Sitka, Alaska and back outside Vancouver Island. Included are side trips from Olympia, Washington to Skagway, Alaska, the Queen Charlotte Islands, and other experiences culled from over 50 years of boating.

Read more!

about the book      reviews      about the author      table of contents and excerpt      catalogue info

Need it right now? You can download the Adobe Reader eBook version of DAY BY DAY TO ALASKA from or

About the Book Reviews Article from August 2000 "Reel News" (Black Diamond, WA) Day by Day to Alaska by Terry W. Sheeley      A third-generation Puget Sounds boater with half a century of experience beating about in boats, Petersen lived the Inside Passage dream      On June 7, 1994, 90 minutes after a minus 1.1 tide, the Bellingham boater pushed his 21-foot Bayliner down a slippery ramp at Sandy Point and into a 30 year dream trip; a 2,500-mile, 23-day solo cruise from Puget Sound to Alaska.      And back, down the sometimes wicked outside of Vancouver Island with a 70-mile side trip across Dixon Entrance to The Queen Charlottes and back across Hecate Strait.      Why?      "Hopefully," he writes, "Day by Day to Alaska will inspire youth to seek adventure and learn to overcome adversity whether in boating or in life."      I don't know about youth, but I know it tingled the traveling blood in this ol' book dog.      Petersen's Great Adventure, and that it what it was, is written almost in diary form, notes from a logbook, thoughts from an experience, paragraphs just because the epiphany, event or sight was just too remarkable to keep to himself.      Between valuable but literatorily vanilla notes on GPS, gas docks, pump stations, charts, and tides are breakdowns, kelp entanglements, wide-eyed encounters with wildlife, cathedral moments in drop-dead scenery, the rush of discovery, endorphins of danger, shout-at-the-world triumphs, infelctions from the soul and religion. As the pages turned and the miles slipped into the bubbles of the wake I sensed the author's growing independence and self-assurance - a confidence that seems to only be gained by plunging into the unknown and coming out the other side with a smile.      "As you approach Clerke Point you think, where is land? It takes awhile before you view the Vancouver Island shore again beyond the mighty Brooks (Range). Meanwhile, even on a nice day, I realize we are alone out there and it is a little spooky. I didn't like to even think what it would be like to have to buck wind and tide with just the eight horsepower outboard auxiliary, should the big engine quit. There is hardly any life out here. Just an occasional herring flip and a rare seagull. One rock formation looks like a caveman with a sack out to get you!"      Petersen's writing skills and wordsmithing are not as polished as his seamanship, but it doesn't seem to matter because the value of this book is the experience, insights and information he offers.      Another plus is that Petersen has an eye for the important and is a solid reporter when it comes to explaining what to expect, what to bring, and what to forget.      The trip actually only uses up about half the book. The balance is filled with side trips racked up over the years of navigating in Puget Sound, Columbia and Snake Rivers (yes, he bucks his Bayliner into the mouth of Hell's Canyon), Gulf and San Juan Islands and on jaunts splintering into the Inside Passage.      He offers a neat little ditty bag of 40 tips and tricks for everything from how to save money to cooking well and sleeping dry. Of special value is his equipment list. It's divided into "essentials" and "useful" and includes everything from fuses to charts, Handi-wipes to heaters.      The nitty gritty needed to make the Dream Trip is all here. Mostly, though, this book is about fulfilling dreams.      "Dreams pose challenges of how will you do something," he writes, "like how will I cross Queen Charlotte Sound? Then the details get muddled and you wonder if you relly can, especially if a few doubting Thomases suggest failures or fill you with horror stories. In spite of all that, if it is a right idea for you to follow, eventually the details will unfold."      They always do. Article from July 12, 2000 "Record-Journal" (Ferndale, Washington) "Day by Day" is way to go Dale Petersen recounts boating adventures in Day By Day to Alaska by Kerri-Lynn DeWaard, Record-Journal reporter      Dale Petersen can't remember a time when he didn't love the sea and boating. Small wonder--he's been boating since he was three years old. Petersen's first memories of boating are of being on his family's boat when he was just a child.      Petersen spent much of his childhood moving from town to town, but he and his wife Cynthia live in Sandy Point where Petersen spends his retirement boating, traveling and investing.      "My love for the sea began (in Dockton)" a floating dry-dock in Puget Sound where his grandfather worked, Petersen said. "I used to commercially fish, salmon troll off the Washington Coast." Petersen said he loved to hear the stories people would tell on the docks aboat boating to Alaska, and he always wanted to go.      "There was an intrigue with me that I had to go there someday," Petersen said. "This was always a 30-year dream for me."      In 1993, Petersen got one step closer to his longtime dream when he bought Day by Day, a 21-foot Bayliner powerboat. Day by Day has a V6 engine and a cruising speed of 17 to 21 knots, and is equipped with a GPS, dinghy, survival suit and eprib, an emergency beacon system.      "I really emphasize safety," Petersen said.      In 1994, he took his first major trip, a 23-day, 2,500-mile trip from Sandy Point to Sitka, Alaska and back. Since then, he has travelled to Alaska two more times, and has boated in the Queen Charlotte Islands and other places along the B.C. coast.      Petersen often travels alone, and said he has grown from the experience.      "You learn a lot about yourself...particularly when you run into adversity," Petersen said.      "Sometimes, if you're tired at the end of the day, you might wonder, 'Why am I doing this?'" But those thoughts never last long, Petersen said.      Writing a book has been a long-time goal of Petersen's. His writing experience includes writing newsletters and articles he submitted to magazines.      I don't consider myself a professional writer," Petersen said. "(But) that was an unfulfilled goal, to write a book," Petersen said.      Day by Day to Alaska is a 247-page narrative of Petersen's adventures to Alaska, the Queen Charlotte Islands and around Puget Sound.      The first part of the book recounts Petersen's first trip to Alaska and back. Then follow four side-trips to Puget Sound, inlets and passages along the B.C. coast, Prince Rupert and finally the Queen Charlotte Islands.      He also includes dreams and reflections, and thoughts, observations and "philosophy".      "I share my thoughts not only on the boating experience, but on other things I've observed along the line," Petersen said. "I like people to know one person's opinion on (different places and products)," Petersen said.      "I try to give credit to people who had ideas and publications that had information that was important to me," Petersen said. "I believe God in your life is really important."      Petersen said the purpose of writing the book was not for himself.      "It's to encourage people to have dreams and pursue them. Have an adventure," Petersen said. "My story is just how one person had a dream, an adventure." About the Author Skipper-author Dale R. Petersen is a third generation Puget Sound boater. His grandfather came from Denmark in the nineteeth century to farm and to work on the first floating dry-dock on Puget Sound. Transportation for him was a rowboat. His father built a boat in Alaska for his work and built them for his pleasure on Puget Sound. Dale built his first boat and with six boats has plied wates from coast for over fifty years. Cruising the waters of Alaska and British Columbia for him in an ultimate retirement fulfillment of dreams. Writing about his boating adventures is a sharing for the pleasure of others. The author in this book shares his cruises to Alaska two times, in the Queen Charlotte Islands four times, around Vancouver Island twice and more with side trips. Dale's preferred journeys were in his 21-ft Bayliner Trophy, Day by Day. Articles published in Nor'westing magazine and slide show seminars at the Seattle Boat Show, both by the author, validate his zest for adventure. As time passes, if you go where Petersen did, you will see changes, but much of the material in this book is timeless. The safety, tips and tricks inside can help any who dream of cruising. Table of Contents and Excerpt Table of Contents Sandy Point to Sitka and Back Sandy Point to Sullivan Bay Sullivan Bay to Ketchikan Ketchikan to Sitka Sitka to Cape Scott Cape Scott to Sandy Point (Outside Vancouver Island) Side Trips Puget Sound Side Trip 1 Inlets and Passages Side Trip 2 Skagway and Glacier Bay Side Trip 3 Queen Charlotte Islands/Haida Gwaii Side Trip 4 Dreams and Reflections Dreams and Plans Reflections Safety, Tips and Observations (Philosophy) Appendix, Glossary and Bibliography materials Excerpt from the Introduction Day by Day to Alaska shares what it was like to take a 2,500 mile solo-cruise in 23 days from Puget Sound to Alaska, and back outside of Vancouver Island in a 21-foot Bayliner Trophy power boat. That 1994 trip was my 30-year dream cruise and central theme for this book. God led me in an extraordinary way on that cruise. While I did have challenges, they were met. I share many lessons learned on that trip, and during my over 50 years of boating. Hopefully, Day by Day to Alaska will inspire youth to seek adventure and learn how to overcome adversity whether in boating or in life. ...My book reflects eight major trips north, including two to Alaska. I have been around Vancouver Island twice. Each of my four trips to the Queen Charlotte Islands was a different adventure. I crossed Queen Charlotte Sound 10 times, eight in Day by Day. Side trips to Olympia in 1995 and Skagway in 1999 reflect experiences not part of my 1994 cruise. Safety afloat is so important. I give you what I believe are important safety rules if you boat in small or large vessels. My hints, tricks and planning ideas should help you make your time on the water more enjoyable. I also share some of my philosophy on a number of issues, marine and otherwise. Religion has played a big part in the formation of America and in my life. I give you my testimony as it relates to boating and life. Finally, I share how my faith helped me overcome cancer, so I can still fish and cruise...This is an adventure-guide that can help you plan and make short or long cruises in a small boat... Catalogue Information Canada • USA • UK • Europe Contact Us | Privacy Policy | Terms of use | Author Login URL http://www.trafford.com © 1995-2007 Trafford Publishing, a division of Trafford Holdings Ltd.