Tap Dancin'

Ok, there's really no dancing involved.  I just couldn't think of a clever title.

It seems to be that time of year.  I had no idea, of course, having never done this before. I only know it's that time of year because the man who taps trees in the woods behind me was tapping trees yesterday afternoon, and hey, I can take a hint.  So out I went to tap the trees.  I got four taps done, as I started at 3:00. 

This morning, I went out to see what was wrought.  And here it is:

Holy moly.  A gallon and a quarter.  And I spilled a bunch, so I think it would have been a gallon and a half.  From 4 taps.  Put in at 3:00 in the afternoon, not even in the morning.  I have 12 more taps to put in. 

I was unprepared for the quantity.  I was thinking I'd get a little dribble right away and have to wait for the run that I was assuming was later in the month.  But no, it's running away already. In fact, when I was putting the taps in, the trees were so moist, the sap was just flinging itself at me.

So here we go.  Since I've never done this before, it promises to be an exciting experience filled with many mistakes.  But in the end, I hope to get syrup... of some sort....at least useable syrup...that'd be nice.

Stay tuned, this'll be an interesting ride!