February Journal THE COUNTDOWN!!!

[vtsnowedin]

Chilly day 36deg. tops. sap sitting in the lines as frosty bubbles. She and I went out to run out and tap another lateral or two. Managed to lose the drill bit for cutting in the saddles. In the snow there somewhere. Tried regular bit same size. Sucked right through and dinged the bottom of the pipe. I now have a dripping saddle and need to cut in a 3/4 double Y. Got to buy more clamps. Fresh tap holes running. No sap at bottom tank? Spent afternoon adding side ties to main line to pull out sags full of sap. Bottom tank getting sap after sundown but just a drizzle. Ten day forecast says next weekend before I can sweeten the pans. Hope their wrong.

[michelle32]

I was at red roof maples last weekend,. Russ has a 2x4 with a hole the size of the drill bit going through it. Just enough to drill in the pipe. This simple little thing would save you lots of aggravation. The best thing is its free.