So, late January of 2000 we started tapping trees & hanging buckets.

We also tapped the old-fashioned way with a brace and bit. Since we only had about 25 taps it didn't take too long.









This is our first evaporator. It was built from concrete blocks, Grandpa's pans & some parts we made and/or salvaged ourselves.

Michael made the door, Dad made the base for our smokestack and I got the hood for free when my employer was going to throw it out.

We added a squirrel-cage fan from our old furnace to blow the steam out and we were on our way.

As you can see, the fan did not always keep up with the steam.

Grandpa was able to come up & help us out with our first season. Here he is with Tucker watching our finishing pot.










Michael & his dad, Don hard at work sugaring with help from Maxine.


Tucker helped out with collecting sap, too. He's a little hard to see, but he's in the trailer.