30 Days of Biking - Day 14

It was cold and blustery today, the kind of day that probably would have kept me from riding if I hadn't committed to 30 Days of Biking. The temperature was in the mid 20s when I set out on my ride and, with the windchill, it was around 15F. Brrr!

Making maple syrup - Part 1

Today was a day to learn about tapping sugar maple trees. I went to watch some friends who have lots of sugar maples on their property and who have been tapping for many years each spring. The temperatures look like they're going to be just right this week for getting a good flow of sap. It needs to be cold at night, below freezing, but not too cold, and warmer during the day, but not too warm.

A hole is drilled into which you place the tap.

One kind of tap.

Pounding the tap into the tree.

The first drips of sap and the hook for hanging the pail.

Hanging the pail that will collect the sap.

Putting the lid on the pail.

On some trees you can hang two pails.

I get to drill a hole for a different kind of tap.

This tap will have a bag hanging from it.

Two bags on one tree.

Some trees can handle three bags.

Done tapping for the day and time to ride home.