Sargie and I did one boil off during the day. Not wanting to waste the opportunity to sit in the sun, I moved the propane boiler outside.
The last of the sap was finally drained from the storage barrels, including that that was overhead feeding the float pan. I hooked up a garden hose and with Sargie's help, began cleaning and rinsing everything used with this year's sap harvest.
Sargie especially liked it when we hit the muddy road leading to the bridge. Sinking up to its axles, the ATV was shifted into four wheel drive causing mud to fly everywhere, including onto Sargie who was riding behind me.
Whoops.
The snow is quickly disappearing, but it appears there's still plenty in the more shaded places. We turned around and came back home after reaching the bridge.
In family pictures/news, Luke has been doing some last minute fishing before ice out in southern Maine. My second son sent this picture of a large crappie he pulled in this past weekend.
To add insult to injury, he included one of this nice bass.
I'd like to claim I taught the boy everything he knows about fishing, but he far surpassed my knowledge and abilities long ago. I can only take credit for planting the seed.
Nikki sent this picture of Squirt. The nine month old mini girl is now standing and it won't be long before she'll be running all over the place.
I'm heading out the door at first light for my daily hike. On today's agenda is to pick up a million dollars worth of needed brake and auto parts and deliver those to Mechanic Dave who is installing new brakes all 'round on the Kia. He's also replacing the serpentine belts.We call this the 300,000 mile check up. After the current fix along with a front end alignment and new set of tires, the old car ought to be good for at least a half a million miles. Up next on the agenda is the old Blazer. At least I don't have to worry about where to spend my stimulus check.
Today's big goal is to finish any and all syrup and get the stainless steel evaporator scrubbed and stored. We're looking forward to putting away the excess jars, filter, buckets, lids, rings, and other processing paraphernalia that's called our kitchen countertops home this past week. Since I'll be on the AT next spring, it will be spring of 2023 before the evaporator and any maple supplies are needed again.
Time to get moving. As Nancy Sinatra once crooned, "These boots are made for walkin',"
After all, a man's work is never done.
So are the tales from Pentoga Road...
No comments:
Post a Comment