It seems absurd to think about the end of the season already.   Yet the long term 10 day weather forecast is not favorable.    Highs in the 60s.  Lows in the 40s.   It may be cooler here by the lake.  But these temperatures will cut short the season.  We need highs in the 40s and lows in the 20s.   Two seasons ago in 2010 we had a 10 day warm spell too.   We waited it out and finished with an average season.   But with the warm winter this year conditions may be different.   There is no frost in the ground and no snow cover.  Two seasons ago the frost was still in the ground and snow on the ground when the warm weather arrived.    We will watch the trees for signs of budding and watch for other changes to the living plants in the woods. 

Down to the lows 20s last night.  Today only made it up to 30.  No new sap.  We are still working on our 620 pickup from the other day.  Tonight is also cold.  Down to the lows 20s again.   But tomorrow and Sunday its forecast for near 60.   That is unsettling.

We were worried about frozen pipes this morning.   A tank valve isn’t sealing properly so its leaking into the pipe to the evaporator.   We usually drain that pipe because it will freeze if liquid remains in the pipe.   Last night we had to leave liquid in the pipe.  But it must have been warmer in the building as the pipe did not freeze. 

Last night around mid-night the wind picked up real strong and blew away the frosting of snow we received.   It was mostly bare this morning.   The snow looked so pretty last night.

Into the woods by 8:00 AM.  Back to the house by 8:00 PM so 12 hours.   Cooked all day.  Struggled to get good rolling boils in the evaporator.    Couldn’t push through the amount of sap we wanted.   We still have about 160 gallons to cook down.