"Sap Suckers Sugar Shack 2011"

[Backyard Sapper66]

Don't ask me why, but for some reason I am overly excited this year. Granted it is only my third year having the "Maple Bug" but I am beside myself. I guess I have it really bad!!!

Portable evaporator is setup waiting to run the test boil through hopefully sometime this week. Buckets and spiles are sanitized and triple washed as well as the (2) 50 gallon juice drums for sap storage. Trailer to tow behind the snowmobile for collecting sap is almost complete.
Kids helped with the bucket and spile washing detail today so I know they are getting excited as well. My middle daughter wanted so desperately to start drilling and putting in the taps today. Might have been a good idea but I am just not 100% ready yet.
My mind is racing and all I can see is sap dripping from the spout!!!!!! My friends (and some family members) think I have "lost it" but I don't think I have. I hope they don't sign me up for an "intervention", I just don't have time for that when the sap starts to flow!!!
If all goes well I might tap this coming weekend unless the weatherman changes his mind again.

Good luck everyone and heres to your sap being 3%!!!!

[Haynes Forest Products]

Sapper66 When the first bottle is sitting on the table and the flapjacks are getting piled up just place a bottle of store bought in front of them and watch them beg for yours. They will see it your way

[Backyard Sapper66]

Haynes,
I know you are right, but I think I will make them beg for it first. I will make them use the ole' "Aunt Jamima" syrup and then let them have a small taste of the real thing. Ha, ha, who will be laughing then???
I know sugarin' is a lot of work but like with any "addiction" there is a price to pay before the reward is realized.
Thanks for posting and I hope you have one heck of a season out there!!!!
Doug

[JuniperHillSugar]

Sapper

You know that corn syrup will kill you, so tell your friends that this "Maple Bug" is really a good thing. The best thing to reduce the symptoms of the "sickness" as we call it around here is to spend a few nights in the sugarhouse, with your frontside burning and your backside freeezing. When I have been drowning in sap for a few weeks, I'm usually ready for it to be over until next year. Good Luck.

P.S. Maple Sugaring is kind of like Amway, you don't make much money, but at least you get wicked excited.

[Backyard Sapper66]

Juniper,
Yes I know the "corn syrup" will kill you as well as a few other things in life that I won't mention on here....
LMAO about the front side, backside comment!!!
I've never sold Amway but if what you are saying is true then I will make sure I steer clear of selling with them.
Good luck!!
I hope you get a chance to catch some of the early run sap coming our way over the next few days.
Doug

[Backyard Sapper66]

I've been called cheap, frugal, a tightwad and a few other colorful names because I didn't want to spend money on something I could get for free. Well yesterday a co-worker asked me what I use for fuel in my evaporator, I told him I used wood. Then he gave the location to get as many pallets as I wanted, mostly hardwood!! So today (after spending 2 hours fixing my broken Jeep so I could get to work) I picked up about 20 pallets for FREE!! Ya I have to cut them up to fit in the evap but free is free. Just one more reason I'm a "backyard sapper"!
Now if I could only find time in the day to put some taps out...

[Backyard Sapper66]

The time I was looking for earlier arrive shortly after dinner. I have 21 trees tapped with buckets hoping that I will get some of the first run sap tomorrow!!
Still have another 10 or so to tap but that will have to wait until tomorrow.
Good luck everyone, cheers to 40+ degrees over the next couple of days.
Doug

[Backyard Sapper66]

Extra long day at work today, didn't get home until 8:30pm. Checked the 21 buckets I had put out last night and most had a few drops to a covering in the bottom. The ones that are not down in the woodlot produced about a quart each. They were still dripping when I checked them. Hopefully tomorrow will produce more sap than today. Had my wife and the youngest check on them today, they had fun checking on them but got really tired of me asking how things were progressing. I guess I am just a little impatient.
Hope everybody that has tapped got to see a little bit of a run today.
Here's to TGIF and a good run of sap!!!!!
Have a good night all..........
Doug

[RipTyd]

Good to hear some sap is flowing , I put in 29 taps today after work just couldnt wait any longer, more to put in tomorrow . Im hoping that i will have enough to start a boil for sunday we will see how it flows .. Best of luck to yas!!

[Backyard Sapper66]

Last year I got a late start, didn't start tapping until after my Birthday in March. Had just moved to a new location and didn't even have an evaporator. Ginned one up from a 55 gallon drum, not very effecient by any means but it was free materials so I can't complain.
Hope you get enough sap today to boil this weekend. At the rate its dripping here in Alexandria up by the mountain, it will be a while before I get enough to put in the evap.
Oh well, the fun has begun for another season!!!!
I will have to swing by and check out your place one of these days.
Have a good day!!!
Doug