The "Parade of Sails" has ended. This is the final post of my three-part series. Part 1 is at this link, and Part 2 at this link.
The great ships have berthed at their assigned locations around the harbor. On the way back home after my 19,000+ step-count day, I stopped at the Fish Pier where three of the tall ships are preparing for public viewing and boarding as part of the week-long "Sail Boston 2017" event.
Notice the second vessel, the "Guayas" from Ecuador. At 257' long, it was one of the larger vessels in the Parade.
Here is the "Guayas" arriving in the harbor with her masts full of sailors standing on the yardarms. Arrgh, matey. (I can't seem to use the word "yardarm" without a pirate accented "arrgh" to follow).
And here are the sailors, at dockside, scrambling up to tidy the sails - they reminded me of ants climbing a tree trunk to get to the fruit.
Imagine doing this while underway in the middle of the rolling, heaving ocean.
Looks a bit easier when tied to a dock.
Others in the crew are in their uniform finery ready to greet the tourists.
I can always count on the friendliness of Ecuadorans as I learned in visiting their beautiful country in years past (at this link).
A hundred years ago and more, seeing all these masts piercing the sky in Boston Harbor would have been a normal sight on a typical day. Now, it is a magical experience and a reminder of how far progress has brought us.
My only regret from this event is that I didn't get to see it set against a brilliant blue New England summer sky. Maybe next time........
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