With great reluctance it's time to sell our sugaring operation.

[Revi]

We have decided (our wives have decided) that we are going to have to sell our sugaring operation. It's perfect for someone with a full time job, because it has the sap coming right into the sugarhouse and you can start boiling when you get there. It is about 20.1 acres which all slant towards the sugarhouse. Check out the vid below for more about it. We are going to list with a realtor, and get advice as to how to price it. My buddy is a professional forester so it's very well managed and there could be a cut done, since we did one about 10 years ago with growth of value trees in mind. It has the potential of more than 500 taps, and if vacuum was installed it would produce much more. We went with just gravity to be able to boil it all down on our schedule. The place is really charming, with a "warm room" in front and 30 trees near the sugarhouse for buckets. Kids love the place. With my kiddos gone now, it's time for others to enjoy it. Feel free to check it out. 1 Burrill Hill Road, Skowhegan. ( right at the Norridgewock line) There are Access With Permission Only signs, but if you are on Maple Trader you have my permission. There's a trail to the top of the hill, a woodyard and windows you can peek in. We'll be listing it soon, so we'll have a price figured out soon.

[Revi]

The sugarhouse is 12x28 with a 12 x 12 foot woodshed on the back. There is a mainline with 2 spur lines that goes to the top of the hill. It's about 1/3 of a mile long by 600 feet wide or so. The sugarhouse has metal roof, board and batten siding and a cupola.

[Cider Hill Maple Farm]

Revi,

I've always enjoyed reading your posts, and for the first time, putting a face to your name at Maple Mania. I'm sorry to here you will be moving on, away from the business, but I can also understand. A bunch of time, and hard work spent away from the family, can be frustrating for them. Especially during the cold months, when they want to escape to somewhere warm for a spell. Maybe now, you can venture out on Maple Sunday and enjoy other sugarhouses.

Best to you Sir.

Shawn

[Revi]

Thanks! I think I'll tap about 20 trees behind my house and boil them in a small rig. I am a bit sad about it, but it's time to get ready for retirement now. I'm going to try to do that in 2 years, and it will be a process to sell things and get ready for another way of living. I plan on spending some time in Latin America, and it might be during the sugaring months when I am retired.

[heus]

Revi I have watched your you tube video many times over the past several years. Its one of my favorites. I believe you are a teacher like myself, from reading past posts. Good luck

[Paddymountain]

Sorry to hear you are moving on from syrup. Where in Lain America are you going? I've been going to Honduras for awhile and will be heading down this April for a week.
I've always enjoyed your posts!

[Atgreene]

Sorry to hear. Wish you were closer, I'd like to expand a little.

[spud]

I wish you the best. If I could give you a little advise it would be to NOT use a realtor. I have sold two homes and a few building lots just using Craigslist. The home I am in now and the lot I bought beside me were all bought direct from the owner. Attorney fees were about $1000. A realtor will be 7-10% on the sale price. Why give them your hard earned money? I have saved about $75,000 in the last 6 years using Craiglist. Craigslist is free. Good luck.

Spud

[Sugarmaker]

Revi,
Good luck as you move on with other things in life. You can check in here and get some of your maple fix.
Regards,
Chris

[Revi]

Thanks! It is a hard decision to make, but it's time to move on. I think I might spend some time in Guatemala, as I used to live there in the Peace Corps back in the 80's. We are going to miss the sugaring a lot. It's so absorbing and I call it an adventure in your home town. I hope just boiling down 20 taps will do it for me...