tapping in the catskills.

[Kelly Wells]

Want to know your TAP date next year....I'm gonna be 3 weeks behind you....Maybe

[mountainvan]

I don't know when I'm tapping next year! Still cleaning up from this year. I'm going to have to just pull the taps under vacuum and not walk the woods with the backpack sprayer. Chemo port is in the way of the strap and it hurts carrying around 30lbs. I should give a big thanks to my friend Jay for the extra sap at the end of the season.

[mountainvan]

After a nice little vacation to Savannah I'm back cleaning up. One bush done 5 to go.

[mountainvan]

I'll be at toms around 10. I have two pallets of glass coming in.

[mountainvan]

It was nice seeing folks at the catskill maple open house. took today off to go fishing, first real outing since 2015. Caught over 20 big bass in a couple hours. Back to cleaning up tomorrow.

[mountainvan]

Started getting ready for the 2018 season doing some fall flushing and tubing repair. My trees are in good spirits and had a great summer.

[mountainvan]

Getting close to go time, only 38 days until I plan on starting to tap. Been busy replacing drops and spouts, clearing trees off of lines, and repairing bear damage. Plus adding more taps. Getting another post for my ro to speed that up and make more syrup. I heard that one farm is already tapping and getting sap.

[mountainvan]

More than 6 years after Irene the damaged store next to my farm was torn down yesterday. Now I have a great view on all sides.

[mountainvan]

Put out my test tap yesterday, sap was flowing but only 1.3% sugar. Most of my woods are ready to tap, only one more bush to walk. I got good news today from Doctor 1, no new cancer. More tests next week, but feeling positive for next year.

[maple flats]

Van, glad to hear your Dr report and it must seem nice having that mess next door gone. Have a great season.