I'd Tap That

The trees, that is.  For maple syrup, of course.  And tap those trees we did.  4 of them to be exact.  And within seconds, the sap was flowing.  Who knows, in a month's time, we may have our own small batch of pure Maple Syrup.

We had an awesome and productive weekend.  We were able to finish the lower half of the walls, adding ship lap and framing around the lower half of all the walls.  It's just another step forward to what now seems like a possible end in sight.  We still need to sand the drywall and mud again, but other than that, all the remains inside is finalizing the fireplace and then flooring...and, of course a legit loft ladder.

We arrived late Friday night after a 3+ hour drive that should have only taken 2 hours, but the roads were so icy we were reduced to half speed.  Along the way, we saw more than one car spun out on the side of the road and we nearly suffered the same fate ourselves.  We arrived late, but still found time to stand in the middle of the large clearing and dream about the soon-to-be cabin and where it would eventually go.  As always, the stars were insanely bright and clear.  There's really no words that can do explain that aspect of VT. The weather was gorgeous this weekend so we were working outside without a jacket for most of the time.

We put some snow chains on the tractor's tires and got right to plowing on Saturday morning.  By day's end, we had finished plowing, the interior woodwork, and a few other odds and ends.  After a late night Friday, we went out to eat in town and were home and asleep by 10:00.  We're old.

Sunday was more leisurely and relaxing.  We got lots of small things done.  We hung up the street number sign our dad gave us for X-Mas, hung a new trail cam, tapped a few trees for syrup, and rode the snowmobiles and ATV, of course.  Oh, and more tractor fun too.

All in all it was a motivating and inspiring weekend that left us hungry to quickly get back up and keep the ball rolling.  Next trip we will probably finish the fireplace, a job that will include shifting the wood stove 45 degrees and adding a small mantle.  It will work great with the new, more efficient layout we have set up. 

Things are happening.  We have reached out to several timber framers about future cabin plans, we've received possible floors plans, we're talking about drilling a spring well, and breaking ground on the "real" cabin in what is only about 12 months away.  So much is happening yet the list to do only grows longer and more exciting.  And spring is just around the corner...