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| Cal and kiddos tapping "The Bomber." |
March did not come in like a lion this year, so maybe it will go out like one! Time will tell... Our snowmobile trails are closed as of 3/11/16; and we are seeing sunshine and spring-like temps. A few people are still skiing and snowshoeing, and downhill should go on for at least a couple more weeks. And luckily, we have the sugaring season that so many look forward to in the Northwoods. Despite the exceptionally warm days (multiple days in the 50's) and nights (30's), there are still quite a few nights in the 15-day forecast where we will be below freezing -- as these cold nights and warmer days are when the sap really runs.
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| Adam's set-up from 2015. |
We're blessed with a plethora of maple trees in Presque Isle; whether sandy or clay-like soil... the maples aren't picky. My son Adam has tapped and made syrup for the last couple of years on the shores of Katinka Lake; he says it takes about 50 gallons of sap to end up with 1 gallon of syrup. This year my son Cal and his family are trying it out too, in the more sandy soils outside of Presque Isle Lake. They both have small start-ups, with a dozen taps for Cal and 20+ for Adam. It's fun to hear and see how they each do it, both keeping their kids involved from the naming of trees with contests for the greatest producer to the entire process -- from setup to collection, boiling over an open fire, and storage.
How very lucky we are to live here... To love and be by family and friends... And to embrace the seasons and the shift from Old Man Winter to Sugary-Sweet Spring. I trust I'll be left with a few samples to share with you at the office this summer. Drop by often!
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