There is an ancient tradition among seafarers that takes place after years of hard labor preparing their ships for extended voyages across oceans. They would gather on beaches or wharfs, build a fire and drink rum or beer, and burn their old work clothes they wore during many long hours getting their ship ready to leave.
When tossed on the fire the clothes would burst into colorful flames and burn with an incredible intensity. The sailors of old, being a bit superstition believed that the colors and intensity of the flames were the blood, sweat and tears of all the hard work they put into getting their ships ready. They also believed that the heat and smoke from the flames would reach the heavens and become the winds that would propel them across oceans.
***FUN FACT***
Since these men were tradesmen, that is where the term “trade-winds” came from.
The truth of the matter was their clothes would be covered in paint, tar, grease and many layers of grime, which aided in the colorful display when they caught fire……..
So a week before we are to take off on our trip, Me and Tawn took the dinghy out to a secret beach, built a fire and burned our old work clothes in keeping with this ancient tradtion.
Mah Pants!!!
***ANOTHER FUN FACT***
Almost everything written above is complete and utter bullshit! :) We did go out and burn our Carharts.
Two years ago when our friends Dawn and Pea sailed away on their boat (Deep Playa) we went down to Golden Gardens, built a small fire and they burnt their old Carharts and a other “boat project” clothes. They tried to get me to do it, but since I was not leaving yet. I could not bring myself to part with my old hoodie or dirty Carharts, I still had work to do.
But that is no longer the case. Boat is ready, and so are we. And as the picture above shows, I am down to only one pair of Carharts.
So, here’s to starting new traditions.
