Feb 10-12

Welcome back, we are kicking off the 2012 maple syrup season! We can't believe it is that time again. Everyone knows that any respectable farming endeavor begins with finding out what the neighbors are doing first! So we did that survey last week, and even the old and wise aren't really sure what to do given the crazy weather-so we proceeded to the second solid principle of agriculture-winging it!!

Cody cleared paths on Friday Feb. 10th with only the help of our puppy-who was nearly pooped from the fresh air adventure. Saturday the 11th was a busy day for most so Cody ended up putting buckets and lids around the south path with only the help of his mother who was a marginal improvement over the tired dog. Brakes froze on the military trailer and slowed progress tremendously.

Sunday afternoon Feb. 12th found a few more competent helpers in Bob, Chris, Dale, Brad & Kelsey who threw buckets out on the north path and the east. We managed to get a second trailer and a tractor stuck today. Mud is quite the concern as it is very early in this process to be this muddy! (Mark you need to get serious about real boots.) A good bit of time was spent with the ax and crow bar cleaning out tires to improve traction.