[QUOTE=MikeC82;367281]Hi Galena,

I mean't more in the sense like after the season when the trails in the back clear. I wasn't planning on doing anything more this year - out of time and out of money lol! But next year, I might want to move the whole operation to farther back on the lot into the bigger maple bush. I would appreciate your input then and see if you think its possible. Right now everything is right up close to the house - which is easier logistically - but not as many good trees. I did 104 this year - but even yesterday things were really slow. So much ice still everywhere and the snow is super deep. Hard to get to the buckets and I'm worried about the ATV getting bogged down once things soften up. Cold this AM - maybe that will restart some of them if it goes above 0 later today. Things look very good weather wise down here towards mid-week though! Have attached some pics. My wife and I have a new assistant this year and hoping that he is going to get some good days outside.
Mike

Hey Mike, New assistant looks cute...and as at least one other MT'er has discovered, they can fit into a 2g pail without problem, in snow gear and all. Just saying ;-)
Yeah I hear you on the whole plans for expansion, that's what most everyone does...find more trees to tap and upgrade gear as you go. The maple bug is insidious and there is no cure. And with all the snow we got this year even stomping through my little half acre makes for a good workout. How those with bushes that really are bush managed to do it, without getting bogged down in ATVs etc is a miracle. And this weather is sure making for a very late start to the season out our way. If there is a warm enough spell the trees can run all night, which will help with the catching up aspect. But if it stays the way it is, it could be a season of fairly low yield. I sure hope not!