Remember as a kid on my great grandfathers farm all the hard work associated with sugaring. Tapping, hanging the buckets, cutting the fire wood, using the draft horses to gather the sap, and then boiling on this long "monster" homemade evaporator with a long homemade flat pan. The only way I ever remember him testing his complete syrup was with a wooden spoon.
As I drive through town I see tubing hanging all over the woods. I see large plastic storage containers, barrels, vacuum pumps, and pump houses, modern sugar shacks.....
It makes me realize how much the industry has evolved, but more so how enjoyable it was to be able to spend that time with my family as a kid sugaring.
Something about that bucket hanging on the tree brings back some of the best memories ever.