Sailing the world. It’s the adventure of a lifetime for Alison Gieschen, who has been sailing the high seas with her husband, Dan, since selling their New Jersey farm in 2017. Together they have traveled to 47 countries and four continents aboard their 43-foot sailboat, Equus.
Alison Gieschen shares her journey from growing up in upstate New York and moving to North Carolina, to becoming an avid sailor inspired by early family vacations in the U.S. Virgin Islands. She recounts her serendipitous meeting with her husband, Dan, a three-time national sailing champion and Merchant Marine, and their decision to sail around the world.
Throughout the podcast, Alison details their blue water sailing adventures, including their unexpected but fortuitous stop at the Galapagos Islands and their many challenges at sea. She also touches upon her emotional struggles, such as overcoming PTSD from a severe storm during their early voyages, and the significant role that fate and mentorship played in her sailing journey.
Alison reflects on her sustained love for horses, drawing parallels between her past in competitive horseback riding and her current life aboard Equus. Alison recounts memorable destinations like the Azores—where a chance walk to town leads to a singular encounter with a cheesemonger—and Ireland, where she and Dan ended up housesitting in a Downton Abbey recreation on Bantry Bay during COVID. Throughout her travels, she is continually surprised and thrilled at the kindness of strangers.
Additionally, Alison discusses the environmental and humanitarian issues associated with Chinese fishing fleets, emphasizing the need for awareness and action regarding their harmful practices.
Places mentioned in this episode:
Rhinebeck, NY
Red Hook, NY
Boston
U.S. Virgin Islands
New Jersey
New Bern, NC
Charlotte, NC
Tahiti, French Polynesia
Hiva Oa, Marquises, French Polynesia
Azores
Panama
Galapagos Islands
The Pacific Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean
Ireland
Bantry Bay, Ireland
St. Martin
Bermuda
More about the Chinese fishing boats:
Chinese fishing boats and forced labor, report from Al Jazeera English, Jun 20, 2024
Books by Alison include Riding the Waves of Reality, the nonfiction chronicle of their first four years of blue water sailing aboard Equus.
Alison’s other books can also be found on Amazon. These are not affiliate links, just so you know.
Connect with Alison and Dan:
Instagram: @sailmates_on_equus
Facebook: Alison Gieschen
CREDITS
Host and creator: Christi Cassidy
Contact: christi@movingalongpodcast.com
Artwork by Phyllis Busell
Music by Eve’s Blue.
Post-production help from Auphonic.com.
Show notes written with assistance from Podium.page and/or Descript.
LINKS:
More information and to listen to past episodes: https://movingalongpodcast.com
Past episodes are here too: https://moving-along.simplecast.com/
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