Scrubbed clean and buffed shiny, the evaporator is officially decommissioned until spring of 2023.

March 24, 2021 - Wednesday morning

40 degrees/rain/calm winds

Pentoga Road

For once in my life, my timing has been almost perfect. We've taken advantage of the last two days to pull taps, finish off the last of the syrup, and clean and store away the maple equipment.

Tuesday began as cool and rainy, but ended sunny and fairly mild. In keeping with yesterday's perfect timing, I left home as the last drop fell and was gratified when the sun peeked out from behind dark clouds before my walk was finished.

Even more perfect was what I found in the evaporator upon my arrival home. I'd left the last of the sap to slowly evaporate during the night. Assuming what remained would need to be boiled off Wednesday morning, I discovered everything had turned to syrup.

What are the chances? Too much boiling and the liquid would either be too thick or have turned to candy. Not enough would have required finishing on the propane boiler. 

Testing the density, the three gallons drawn down were exactly right. It was time to process the last of this year's harvest.

Busy? We were busy. I heated the syrup to the boiling point over propane before bringing it in to pour and seal in quart jars. Sargie and I have the system down to near perfection and we work like one well oiled machine.

Sargie's forcing the last of the syrup through a felt filter.

The last draw down is always the thickest, darkest, syrup. It's also the most desirable, at least in the Milligan family. The maple flavor is the strongest, not overpowering, but definitely there. 

I enjoyed some over vanilla ice cream last evening and belief me, it's definitely palatable.

This year's harvest came to a bit over eleven gallons, more than enough to give to friends and family over the next two years.

For those who have a romantic Norman Rockwell vision of making maple syrup, you should have been here yesterday as we washed, scrubbed, brushed, and polished the equipment. 

While I was outside wrestling with the evaporator pan and stainless steel pot, Sargie was washing and scrubbing the kitchen. It was a day of hard and not very pleasant work.

Sargie later came out and helped to put everything away. 

I'm not sure what's on today's agenda. On the spur of the moment, we talked last night about driving down to Green Bay for household supplies. Rain is in the forecast, not that we'd melt, but, well, we are rather delicate.

Otherwise, we could go to Rhinelander or Escanaba or we may just stay home. I have a million and one half-finished projects going in the shop.

Hmm, while I stress over today's activities, I think I'll pour another cup of coffee and think deep thoughts.

My latest? Should I go for my walk in the rain? After all, I might melt. You know, being that I'm delicate.

After all, a man's work is never done.

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

Sargie's hauling a load of barrels to the storage container. I walked/trotted along behind to keep them from falling over.