RUN BABY RUN, NATURE NEVER CEASES TO AMAZE ME!

Having published two posts about the entire process of making maple syrup I didn't expect to do another blog on his subject. But, with a run of sap like never seen before, I thought documenting it would be worthwhile.

As was mentioned in my earlier blogs, the weather conditions must be just right for the sap to run.
The nighttime temps must fall below freezing and the daytime temperature needs to get at least 10 degrees above freezing.
Well, not only did #Mother #Nature invoke those conditions, she did so with fervor. As was predicted, the temps dropped to 16°F overnight and by noon that day, I felt like we were back in Florida. The high temperature would reach 74°F. The change in temperature was an astounding 58°, and sap was pouring from the taps with a steady stream.

We were collecting sap like never before.

As @farm-mom brought in gallon after gallon from the field, we needed to utilize every container we had, including the seven-gallon pails we use for brewing beer.

With one pail after the next being filled to capacity, storing the sap became a concern.

The piles of snow that refused to melt, became invaluable.

Nature's icebox would maintain the temps necessary to properly store the sap.

By 6:00 PM that evening we had collected a total of 38 gallons of sap. With the forecast for the following day to be pretty much the same, we knew that we were in for a record-setting boil.

In 2019 we had our biggest boil ever, 56 gallons. With the conditions being perfect over the next couple of days this record was about to be smashed.

The next day was very much the same as the previous day. The sap was running like a river from the taps. Additional containers were at a premium and once again the piles of snow would come into play.

By 5:30 PM that day we had collected 70 gallons of sap, 14 gallons more than we had ever collected in the past. This all happened over a two-day period, which in itself was remarkable because collecting enough sap for a boil usually takes a week.

Knowing that in order to process that much sap an early start the next day would be paramount. By 8:45 AM the fire was just minutes away from being perfect for the BIG BOIL.

With all of the containers of sap moved to the staging area we were ready to get started.

Shortly after 9:00 AM, the trays were boiling away as the steam rose from the pans.

By 2:30 Pm the last of the liquid had been added to the boiling pans. The aroma of maple syrup had encompassed the entire area as it turned from a clear liquid to a golden color.

With everything now under control, we were able to take a break.
Does this hat look familiar @splatts, thanks again, buddy? Shortly you should be receiving something in the mail. I won't tell you what it is, but I'll give you a clue, make sure you've got some pancake batter ready to go!

By 6:45 PM, almost 10 hours after putting the pans on the fire, the remaining 4 gallons of sap were removed from the fire pit and placed on the outside burner. Doing this would allow us to be able to control the temperature of the boil with greater precision.

It was a very long day of hobbitizing but well worth the effort.

It was now very late at night, but MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.

We had bottled just over 170 ounces of 100% pure maple syrup.

The following pics have nothing to do with maple syrup, but everything to do with the #great #outdoors. I thought you may enjoy the following pictures that I took recently while headed home from Syracuse, NY.

I think these guys know exactly when hunting season ends.

A magnificent animal, resilient, beautiful, athletic, and a prize to those who subsist because of their existence.

The underside of their tail hidden when grazing and displayed when they fly through the air with such grace.

With the fields no longer blanketed in snow, staying warm and grazing becomes simpler.

The young, still buckling at the knees have made it through the harsh winter.

With the ability to jump tall buildings in a simple bound they can vanish from view like a mirage.

I hope that those who celebrate this special holiday, Easter, can do so with family and friends.

To everyone out there, I hope you'll have a wonderful and safe weekend.