The trees are tapped. Yesterday, Rick and I put our 175 taps in and prepared the sugar house for the 2011 season--our ninth. The weather was cooperative and the sap was flowing at a good pace by noon. We hope to be able to collect 150 to 200 gallons this afternoon and to run the evaporator.

It didn't freeze last night. The snow that was forecasted came as rain. Checking the weather on-line this morning would seem to indicate that the rain will be with us until noon or later. I am not sure what this weather means for sap flow. My suspicion is that it will taper off by the end of the day and not run until we have at least one night with temperatures in the low or mid 20's.

After several weeks of anticipation, having second thoughts about the season's plans, and impatience, the 2011 syrup season is a go.