We have been reflecting on the past season and the length of eight weeks is the most significant aspect. Usually the season is four weeks with more intense runs of sap. This year the sap ran in smaller batches but steadily, with only a couple of breaks, for the entire eight weeks. Also the sap ran several days when the temperature hovered around 2 degrees C which is unusual. Normally 4 or 5 degrees is needed to produce a good run of sap.In any case we had an excellent year and we are very grateful.

Lots of people came to visit our operation and we particularly enjoyed talking to several groups from overseas. This was their first experience with a maple syrup operation. We would like to thank all our  customers for their patronage. Some have been coming since we opened in 1973 and have supported us through all our ups and downs. We have a Wall of Honour in the camp with the names of people who have been coming for 10 years or more. We may have missed some people so if your are a regular check the list next time you are at the camp as we would don’t want to overlook anyone.

So now its time to rest a bit then look ahead to next year. There are always repairs and improvements we can make to the operation that keeps us busy year around. We keep syrup on hand all year long so if you run out or need a gift for a special occasion give is a call.

We are open this week and on the weekend and then thereafter by appointment.

The sap stopped running yesterday  so we are shutting down. We had a very good season. It lasted eight weeks which may be a record for this area.

The next step is washing up which will take a week or two. The lines need to be flushed with water then the spiles will be pulled, isopropyl alcohol injected in the tubes and the system sealed until next spring. The alcohol sterilizes the tubes and it is flushed out  with the first run of sap. We also need to wash all the tanks, rinse the reverse osmosis system and clean the evaporator.

Our camp will be open this week and next weekend. After that we may only be open by appointment or by chance when we are working at the camp.

With the warmer weather the sap is running well but not as hard as earlier as some of the tap holes in the smaller trees on the hillsides have stopped producing. We made enough Dark and Very Dark syrup today to fill our back orders. These syrups have a strong  flavour mainly due to the fructose sugar in late season sap that breaks down during boiling mainly to caramel.We expect a strong run of sap tomorrow and to continue for a few days as some areas in the sugar bush are still covered in snow and are slowly thawing out.

Another migrant bird, our resident phoebe, appeared today. The bluebirds are back at the bird house and seem to be building a nest. The winter birds are very busy at the feeder as food seems to be scarce after such a long winter. Birdwatching has  nothing to do with making syrup but we find it very enjoyable to take time from our busy schedule to note the comings and goings of our feathered friends.

Our equipment has been working well but we had an outage today when a relay in the control system for our vacuum pump stopped working shutting off the cooling fan. We were able to bypass the relay and get back in operation. Not the best arrangement but better than not being able to use the vacuum pump. Vacuum helps to stimulate sap flow and also  keeps the lines free of sap. A new relay is in the mail.

We are in the process of phoning or emailing those people who ordered Dark or Very Dark syrup. If you don’t here from us for some reason send us a reminder or call at the camp and we will fill your order. We will be open from 10 t0 5 daily.

Spring may actually arrive this weekend and we are looking forward to a big run of sap as the trees in our cold gullies finally thaw out. The hillsides are free of snow and the trees there may start to bud as soon as the temperature rises next week as forecast. This will bring a quick end to the season as “buddy” syrup has a very unpleasant taste. In the meantime the sap keeps running and there was a significant run from 5 pm yesterday until the temperature dropped to zero around 2 am. Our tanks were more than half full this morning.

It should be a good weekend to visit a sugar bush. Lots of syrup and maple products are now available at the camps and birdlife on the trails is picking up as the migrants return.There is still snow available for taffy on the snow for that special taste of spring.

We will be open as usual from 10 to 5 daily on the weekend.

We were very pleased to see the bluebirds checking out their nesting box yesterday. It’s always a pleasure to see these beautiful birds and watch them as they go about raising a new family. Sometimes we get to see the fledglings take their first flight. We know the maple season is near the end when these birds appear. The next sign that the season is over is when the frogs begin to sing.

There will be no frogs singing today. We have about 4 cm of fresh snow and freezing rain in the forecast for this evening and tomorrow. We expect one more run of sap when warmer weather returns on Tuesday or Wednesday. So far no Very Dark syrup which some people  prefer It may come this week.

In spite of the winter like weather we had several visitors at the sugar bush yesterday including some overseas people making their first trip to a sugar bush. We will be open again today as usual.

With somewhat warmer temperatures and with the help of a low pressure system that moved in on Thursday we had an excellent sap runs this week . However, for the next two or three days winter returns and we will have another break. We think the sap runs will taper off next week and the season will come to an end after nine weeks of almost continuous action.

In spite of the possibility of snow showers the Shanty Men will operate their small wood fired evaporator and provide an educational experience for visitors. The Kettle Boys have closed for the season.

A robin appeared this morning singing aggressively to claim his territory. I hope he finds something to eat during the next three days of below season temperatures.

We will be open as usual from 10 t0 5.

We are now in our eighth week of making syrup and it looks like it will continue for at least another week. We have made only a small quantity of Dark syrup and as yet no Very Dark syrup. Unless the weather warms up the syrup we make will most likely to be Amber. We cannot control the colour or flavour of syrup as it is dictated by the quality of the sap. With warmer weather some of the glucose sugar in the snap converts to fructose and glucose. The fructose sugar breaks down during boiling to produce caramel and other byproducts which is the main reason for the darker colour and stronger flavoured syrup towards the end of the season.

Still very few migrating birds have put in an appearance. They must be waiting south of the Great Lakes . The red shouldered hawks continue to call, particularly in the morning, and a large flock of crows made a real racket this week  harassing an owl. The chickadees and woodpeckers continue to come to the feeder as food is scarce after such a long winter. Hopefully next week we will see some robins, song sparrows and maybe bluebirds.

The weekend does not look promising with more  cold weather and possibly snow in the forecast. We will be open as usual and who knows the weatherman may be wrong. Lets hope so.

Lots of sunshine today and our visitors enjoyed a walk around and some taffy on the snow. Tomorrow will be about the same and we will have the lambs here to entertain the children. The Kettle Boys and Shanty Men have used up most of the wood for their fires and as they have made all the syrup they can use tomorrow will be their last day of operation for this year.

There was no sap today so the time was spent checking for possible wind damage in the sugar bush after the very strong winds earlier this week. One tree had fallen on pipe lines, which always makes a mess, and  some repairs  were necessary.

It’s not all work at our sugar bush. On weekends we have 12 to 16 people doing various tasks from making syrup to entertaining visitors. At lunch time the crew gets a chance for a welcome break and to enjoy delicious meals made by Eva Couturier. Today we had lasagne with homemade buns or garlic bread followed by pineapple upside down cake or white cake  with pecan icing. With lots to talk about on all our activities and the interesting visitors who come to our operation we have a  pleasant time before we dash off for our afternoon duties.

Tomorrow is the last day of Maple Weekend when sugar makers put on an extra effort to entertain their visitors. It’s a good time to visit a sugar bush and I am sure you will receive a warm welcome.

We will be open as usual from 10 t0 5.

It looks like a sunny but cool Maple Weekend. The Kettle Boys will be operating as usual and the Shanty Men will also operate if there is enough sap. It is unlikely we will be boiling on the big evaporator

Because of the continuing cold weather we still have lots of snow for taffy on the snow. We have several batches of syrup from light to dark for a tasting opportunity as well as  an array of other maple products. Some parts of our trails are still snow covered but there is no problem going a walk  in the sugar bush.  On Saturday and Sunday, weather permitting, we will have a treasure hunt for small children. On Sunday, once again weather permitting, a local farmer will bring some small lambs for a petting opportunity. We will have a warm up fire at our picnic tables for anyone wishing to bring their lunch.

Maple Weekend is an opportunity for visiting more than one sugar bush. Look for the road side signs which  identify those operators open for visitors or refer to the Maple Weekend web site for directions.

maple wee

Yesterday and today we made Dark syrup, formerly called Amber. It has a good flavour which should please those people who prefer the stronger flavour of the darker syrup.. The sap continues to run well and we are having an excellent season. All the equipment is also running well but the people are getting a little tired as we have been going almost non stop for six weeks. With snow in the forecast later this week spring will be delayed for some time.

My son Jamie spotted the new nest of the red shouldered hawk and we hear the hawk calling frequently. These hawks are quite secretive and their nest is well away from our main trail. Other birds are showing up but we have yet to see a bluebird.

We are making plans for Maple Weekend on Saturday and Sunday and will post more details later this week.