[Michael Colby]

Still running in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom — had a great few days earlier in the week and now it’s running again after last night’s 7 degrees. Still only about half of what I’d like for the season but we might get a another few days if we’re lucky. Still complete snow coverage in the woods so there’s hope. If, of course, that can be considered “hope” in mid-April….

[Michael Colby]

All revved up and ready to go. Just waiting on the weather. And I’m still liking the fact that the start date is more traditional and the snow cover is high here in Northeast Vermont. Now I just need to finish the repairs to my one-horse “saption-contraption” and I’m ready to roll.

[Michael Colby]

Got about 2/3 of my taps in now. Going slow because of the deep/heavy snow and a forecast that looks less than ideal for sap runs this week in Northeast Vermont. Should be tapped out by Tuesday — with a total this year around 2200. I like that it feels kind of “normal” out there — temperature and snow levels wise. Perhaps that means a good year. Sugaring is all about the dream.

[Michael Colby]

I’m in Walden, Vermont — in the Northeast Kingdom. My sugar woods are at about 2000 feet and north facing — two more reasons why I’m not in a rush to tap.

[Michael Colby]

Been in the sugar woods all week doing repairs and dealing with blow downs. The snow is pretty deep and heavy up here, making trail maintenance/packing a must this year. I was going to start tapping this week but, given next week’s projected cool down, I’m going to wait a few more days. I’ll be tapping about 2100 this year.

I’ve also issued my formal declaration of war against the porcupines that have nested in my wood pile. Thankfully, they’ve kept their damage to some mostly scrub softwoods but they’re moving toward my more valuable wood lot. It’s amazing the damage they can do. But the war is on.

[Michael Colby]

Sorry to hear this. He was a good man.

[Michael Colby]

Really well said, Carl. Keep it up. There’s a certain poetry to your words — and the woods.

[Michael Colby]

I second Jean’s comment. I love my Canadian. Mine was almost exactly like yours when I got him — a spoiled, untrained 8 year old. The person I bought him from intended to teach him to ride but she stopped because he “kept knocking over the tack supplies.” I wasn’t sure what that meant until I brought a brush and hoof pick out for the first time. Sure enough, he’d grab it with his mouth and fling them away. Wasn’t hard to fix though and he was quite easy to train to drive and ride. Ah, the memories.

Good luck and keep us posted.

[Michael Colby]

I applaud Green Mountain College for the manner in which they’re handling this. I think it’s spot-on, especially the community-wide discussions they had. The real eye-opener for me in all of this is the level of “outrage” coming from those who disagree with the meal plan. It’s a sad commentary on just how disconnected our society is from the food system. And in Vermont, no less. Miles to go before we sleep.

[Michael Colby]

Sorry about this news, Geoff. It’s nice to know you gave him a great life.

[Michael Colby]

And the sap is still flowing in Walden, Vermont. This weekend might finally end it for us, though. While the sugar content was less than desired, we ended up having a pretty good — and weird — season.

[Michael Colby]

Collected another 2000+ gallons of sap today in Walden, Vermont. And it looks like we could re-charge after the cold weather coming over the next few nights. It’s actually turning out to be a good year.

[Michael Colby]

Collected another 2000 gallons of sap today, pretty milky and destined for grade B I suppose. Thanks to a great week, we’re now at about 65% of our projections. But I’m hoping there’s still time for a sugarbush at 2000 feet in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom to offer up another run.

[Michael Colby]

Lynn Miller and SFJ have my vote all the way. He/they understand the importance of both fighting “the system” and building the necessary alternatives. A true radical — in the best sense of the very maligned word. The Draft Horse Journal seems like glossy horse porn to me. You know, where you pretend to be reading the articles…..

[Michael Colby]

Judging by the photos, I’m now certain that I’m one of the few using snowshoes in the woods this year. I’m at 2000 feet in Walden, Vermont and we’ve now got a good two feet of snow in the woods. I collected about 800 gallons of sap on Wednesday and Thursday but now winter has decided to return. It’s fine with me because I needed a day to occupy the sofa. 🙂

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