April 3, 2013 – Wednesday morning

0 degrees/clear/calm

Pentoga Road

It appears after Tuesday’s record-breaking low temperature, we’ve set another. A year ago now, the lows dipped into the forties and fifties, highs in the sixties… which were way above normal. This year, we can’t seem to break out of the January deep freeze. Oh well, one of these days… one of these days… one of these days. Right?

Tuesday was a busy one on Pentoga Road. I started boiling down the condensed sap over propane. I could tell right away it was heavy with sugar; just the way it boiled.

Getting close

I turned the boiling off long enough to go to town with Sargie. I purchased a flap wheel for the grinder, some three-inch peat pots, and a large funnel. Sargie had some errands to run, so while she was busy, I visited with Brother Yooper Mark at the plant. As always, it was good to get caught up on life.

I use a hydrometer that floats to a predetermined mark when the sap has been completely converted to syrup. It happens within a matter of seconds so I measure test samples repeatedly during the final few minutes of boiling.

With Sargie’s help, I boiled the remainder of the sap and ended with a gallon and a half of beautiful and extremely sweet syrup. Because I boil over wood, it’s a bit darker than early syrup ought to be, but it has the hint of smoke… just enough to add to the rich maple flavor. If I were selling it commercially, it wouldn’t command a premium price because of the color. As someone said, “You can’t taste the color!” Another neighbor told me I boil it like the old timers used to. I like that. I wear the badge of “old timer” with pride.

Sargie invented the homemade device securing the syrup filter. It may not be pretty, but it worked like a charm and saved about $50.

The commercial syrup filter. The loops fasten over the bolts on the top bucket and allow the syrup to drain into the one on the bottom. 

At one point while working in the kitchen, I accidently poured boiling syrup over Sargie's hand when we filling the quart canning jars. I about had a heart attack, but Sargie calmly put the funnel down and rinsed her hand under cold water. I thought we’d surely be making a trip to the hospital, but other than some redness and being a bit raw, she says her hand is just fine. I still shudder when I think of what could have happened. Next time, I’ll let her pour and I’ll hold the funnel.

I spent some time cleaning the two finishing pans. They are ready for the next boil that should begin on Thursday.

The not-so-fun part of making maple syrup. I wash the pans outside to keep the mess out of the kitchen.

With an hour and a half until dark, I strapped on my lightweight hikers and jogged five miles. On the way back, I cut through the woods and noticed that despite the cold temperatures, some sap had run yesterday, mostly in those trees  that have a southern exposure.

I arrived home, put on my boots, and took off for the woods. Over ten gallons of sap was gathered. I think the trees are feeling the need to get ready for spring regardless of the temperatures.

Sargie’s back to work today. I’m going to ride partway with her and walk home. The forecast high is to be in the low forties by afternoon, so no doubt, I’ll be gathering sap until sunset. I may attempt to put the greenhouse on skids and drag it from the barn so I can begin to clean and get ready for spring. Certainly, there’s no lack of chores that need completing this time of the year. After all, a man’s work is never done.

So are the tales from Pentoga Road…

It's turned to syrup. Time to filter and can!