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So last saturday before the freeze up I had 200 gallons of sap not enough to do anything with so I decided to do an experiment because so many are having success with Concentrating then holding it at just below freezing. so I ran it through the RO I usually go to 15/16 and then put it into several buckets and let it freeze up in the sugarhouse, on wednesday I got 250 gallon of sap and ROed added to the concentrate and it was great. When I get things going in VT when ever that might be I think I am gonna invest in a refrigerated tank for just this, then low flows and I can save up concentrate for a few days do bigger boils.
Well finally got some syrup made thursday Trees finally started to let loose. got 325 gallons. so have about 12 gallons made so far. getting there.
came home from work Friday and vac was at 18" couldn't get out right away to get it fixed we had a house showing some folks back for a second look. got out after they left but it was so noisy in the wood walked about 20 feet from a huge branch that snapped and came down on a lateral and it stretched and snapped it was behind a few trees and I didn't see it. walked all over until I finally saw it. got it fixed and back in business. Good freeze again last night should be a good sap day held over 200 gallons from yesterday but would have been more without that branch.
We have another showing this morning at 9 am. then I need to walk the woods again and get the vac up higher. its been running at 25" need it to get back up to at least 27" I think I have a few freeze leaks because it bounces back and forth. down to 25" freezes up and then back up to 27" thaws,....
also need to get more stuff made. Candy is made and coated, cream is made. gotta get some sugar made now that I have syrup again. busy busy busy!!!
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So been a little bit since my last post. all the way back on 3/8 for a few reasons
had a few vac leaks. was up to 27.5 at the releaser way back when. that was down to 25 but fluctuating then was down to 24.5. so went out and walked the woods. found 2 hollow trees a cracked tap. a pretty good chew. then went across the street and found 2 more really good squirrel chew. had it running at 27.75-28" at the releaser. outstanding!!!
Had the best maple weekend ever as far as sales were concerned. partially due to folks knowing its my last maple weekend here and people were stocking up. I had soooo many people tell me to please post when I am up and running in VT so they can come visit. I think i will be doing a lot of mail orders when I get re-established up there.
So we got an offer on our house right before maple weekend. 20k under our asking price but we were ok with that. Time for the home inspections etc. etc. a little stressed out I will say that. but things are moving along. have a few things to fix up on the house problem is I can't do it. I ain't a professional so I have to pay some to do a few things but its not bad.
I called the season early last boil was last week. could have kept going but simply just too much stuff to dismantle and take apart. Have to remove all the tubing, etc etc etc. so much to do.
ended up with a little more than half a crop I made 17 gallons of syrup after maple weekend so I have that and have a little promissed to people. boiled out the evap. Got a little emotional for my last boil here. but onto bigger and better things right.
We still haven't found the dream place yet. so we may be using storage and renting for a bit. hopefully something will open up soon with 1500-2000 taps on it.
Went up to VT to see the wife and bring up some stuff to the storage unit this past weekend and went to a couple of sugarhouses.... oooohhhhh to the maple cremes(ice cream) dipped in maple sugar. ooohhhh so good.
I will be checking in again soon hope everyone is still going should be got a few good freezes.
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Hi Brad, you will be missed for sure in the NH maple world. Good luck with you future maple life in VT. Are you going to be selling any of your equipment or other maple stuff?
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Good that you were able to go out with a high note by having a great maple weekend. Moving forward to a new venture is hard but in the end you will be happy. Keep us updated on how things are going and what your new place is like when you get settled in.
