Saturday March 29, 2014 (gathering #10)

1,275 gallons of sap today. We would like to thank our friends and family who skipped the gym today and worked out with us. The vast majority of buckets were full and a few overflowing.  There have been only 3 other days over 800 gallons in the last 4 years!

Bob checked buckets at 9 am and while he expected a lot was shocked at the overflow. He started gathering with Gary, then Gerri, Muff, Dean, Dale and Karen joined in before the end of the south path. We made it just past the soft maple swamp and had to back Walle out with a full tank. We resumed gathering while Chuck and Jack worked on boiling. We finished the south path and turned up and then back down the middle swath only to be full again! After dumping the second time, we headed through the north path where it was WINDY and COLD! Ted, Nancy and Adam  joined in thankfully as those buckets were also pretty full. Heading east again Walle went straight out into the wheat field (full a 3rd time )and up to dump. This was a little tricky as there was not enough room to unload it all so we lightened the load by about half filling the upper and lower tanks to the brim.

 

 

 

 

 Bob got the fork lift out to reload the camp with wood !

 

 Heading back out to the east path the gang had gathered everything and we picked up about 20 buckets and once again drove back via the wheat field. Adam realized that we had left about 4 buckets behind and he and Muff and Dean walked back to get them. What's 20 more gallon! It took approximately twice as long as usual to gather today and everyone was collectively pooped.

 Clark's brought donuts that were enjoyed along with a nice warm fire. The temp seemed to be dropping as we went, usually you get warmer! Probably doesn't help everybody was a little wet from wearing some sap today!

It snowed a little this evening. Chuck pointed out that Brad showed up about 8 hours LATE! He was off chicken judging in Columbustown today.If you are going to take a day off, he chose wisely!

We took the syrup to the house ,cleaned the outside of the buckets , took inventory and got them in the freezer. We are running low on "finish" buckets!

As of the 1015 pm posting of the blog, their are three tired guys still boiling and 7 inches in the upper tank and they are thinking of calling it quits for the day!The fire has been maintained since 0930 today!


Total sap today: 1215 gallons + 60 Sandhill
Total syrup today: 20 gallons (as of 10pm)
Total sap to date: 5000 gallons + 219 Sandhill **
Total syrup to date: 82 gallons

**Nearing the point of justifying their own evaporator Sue.