Sugar Loop 2010 – From Maple Tree to Sap

From the Maple Tree to Sap…
Maple Trees are a blessing!  
We tapped 70 trees this year beginning March 3rd and untapping April 5th.
Following are photos from our Sugar Loop Day 1 thru Day 4…Tappin’ Trees:

Make a hole in the tree at an upwards angle (about 10 degrees) with no more than a 2″ depth. 
Hole waiting for a tap…the sap is already drip, drip, dripping.
 Kiah digs in her bucket for a tap.
Milo hammers the tap into the hole.
Diggin’ out the arches.
Collecting firewood for the upcoming fire.
Don’t forget to taste the sweet sap right from the source!
Look for our next post “From Sap to Syrup” in the next few days.

Let the Flow Begin!

Maple Sap flow, that is…

Our family tapped 50 maple trees this year and are now awaiting the warm days and coldie nights of March.

We will check our buckets daily and dump the delicious sap into storage containers. When we get enough sap stored, we will pour it into the sap boiler…to be boiled down into yummy, yummy maple syrup. We are hoping to make enough syrup to last us the year and to give away as gifts. Kiah (age 8) and Milo (age 5) are taking notes on which trees run the best!

If you have a maple tree in your yard, or near you that you can tap, I highly recommend it ! Even if you do not plan on making syrup, the sap alone is wonderful to make tea or coffee or to just drink. If you do tap, be sure to do your research and also offer up a blessing or thank you to the tree in return for it’s delicious sap.

Our sugar bush loop is great for skiing or just walking…one could get “lost” in there for hours!

My neighbor Jen and I like to do what we call “Tai Skiing” – this is were one of us leads the other, no talking…just listening to the sounds of nature and trying our best to quiet our minds. We may ski fast or slow, do a little ballet skiing, or whatever tickles our fancy! Then, when we come to a place that calls the leader to stop, the leader takes a few moments to lead a particular stretch, or deep breathing, or a series of movements, or just stops and listens. After our little session, the other person leads the next section of the trail.