The taps are in--all 200. Rick and I worked at this task over the past two days. Temperatures are moderating--daytime highs in the low 40's. The consistency of the snow was markedly different today--sticky. It took some extra effort to move around the sugarbush with today's conditions. This 67-year-old body feels it. I recovered quickly from yesterday's effort, so I am hopeful that I will recover from today's effort. The evaporator was rinsed and assembled. The last section of stack, that is removed each year to avoid wind damage, was put into place. We are ready.

It is time for the magic to begin. Let the magic begin.