Finished boiling remaining sap today ran out of wood at 4:15. Got a little sap today maybe 65 gallons but it has been cloudy since Friday, even though we got a freeze last night the trees are pretty much pooped out and ready to get on with making leaves I think.
So tomorrow I will finish out the pans see what we got to get some final numbers. It has been a hell of 3 1/2 weeks. nothing like blowing through 6+ cords of pine in 3 weeks I still can't get used to that.
Should be pretty close to 55 gallons once its all said and done. An estimate of about 3600+- gallons of sap. Got 15 gallons of dark syrup and the rest was GR B. But great flavor the whole season no mersch syrup at all this year.
Mixed emotions on the shut down this year, Sad because its over but also happy because the good parts of spring are just starting, Dafadils are coming up start gardening soon, Fishing season, and bees are coming in less than 2 weeks. So maybe we'll have some honey for maple weekend next year!!!
The bad thing is I am already thinking of ways to make things better for next maple season!!!! Maybe build a prototype Plexiglass hood and see how that works.
Just have to thank my wife for being a huge help on maple weekend, and keeping up with refilling the coffee urn and keeping things in check with that stuff, Making my road signs and painting me a sign for end of the driveway. Also she only got pissy with me once when she had to stay with both kids when they were sick and I escaped out to the sugarhouse!!! Had To boil!!!!
The next dry day get the sugarhous eopened up and dry everything out. give the floor a good scrub.
Taps will come out this week as soon as the evap pans are done.
Overall it was heads and tails over last season. It was excellent for my second season. Doubled my syrup production from last year. (although it would be nice to get some medium) Still learning more everyyear!!! Hope next year is even better!!! Have More wood ready!!!
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