Into the woods by 5:30 AM to bottle. Couldn’t start the burners on the finishing pan because the propane tank was empty. The tank was about ¼, maybe less, when we started the season. Surprised it lasted all of yesterday. It would have been frustrating to run out while trying to finish syrup. Propane refilling services start at 9:00 AM at the Co-Op. We lost the advantage of starting to bottle early.
Bottled one milk can. Three empty, but we still have three full.
Upper 20s overnight. A good freeze. Mostly cloudy at low 50s today. By 10:30 AM trees were dripping. We had to decide if we collected today or tomorrow. Upper 30s tonight but by morning the temperatures drop and stay below 32 all day. Liquid today; ice tomorrow. We went out collecting at 2:15 PM. 360 gallons by 5:15 PM.
New membrane arrived. We have to soak it in water for at least 24 hours to condition it. Won’t be able to use it for tomorrow’s cook.
Back to the farmhouse by 6:15 PM after pumping into the storage tank taking care of a few other things.