chas, johnnyf, i will be in the st louis area in the next few days (i live in kc). ihope you are still visiting this site. i would like to come by and take some pictures of your operations....please send me a private message on this site with your phone number. i can show you photos of other missouri syrupmakers operations. riversap, i plan to visit you during your cook on monday; will call u well before we show up. good luck to all with the upcoming thaw! john