Maple Sugaring

We went to the Kensington Metropark Farm to learn about one of Michigan's trades...

...Maple Sugaring!!

(and yes, that is really how you say it)

A "sugar bush"
aka- a bunch of maple trees all together

Sophia learning about how to recognize a maple tree in the winter

Grrr..
It's cold out here.

Spiking the tree
Drill, baby, drill!

We got to taste the fresh sap coming out.
Basically sugar water with a 'maple-y' hint to it.

And the bucket to catch that juicy gold.
You may be thinking- "that doesn't look so hard. I bet I can make my own syrup"

Well, first look at this.
Then decide it's much easier to go buy some at the store.

Watching them boil down the syrup.

In the "Evaporator" (actual name).

And we got to taste some!

Mmmmm!
So good!

Learning about how people in Olden Times made Maple Sugar.
They didn't make syrup because they couldn't store it.
So they would make sugar bricks and eat basically only sugar during the winter months.
Talk about awesome!

This little re-enactor collecting the sap.
So cute.

Old school maple tap.

Playing around in the barn house.

Rick carting the milk pails.
He just needs some long braids and wooden clogs. No?

And we came at the best time to the farm, because all of the baby animals were just born this last week.
3 day old lamb!

Sophia was so happy.

2 day old piglets!!
Oh my gosh- I wanted to take one home.

Bunny!

More lambs.

Fun day down at the farm!