I pity the cultures which do no eat the reduction of tree juices.
We went over the other side yesterday to find the Golden Maple Shanty between Carthage and Lowville NY just south of Denmark. A stunning day of the bluest skies and there we were sitting up on the high plateau looped to the north, east and west by the Black River Valley. This was a 140 km one and one and a half hour wander from our house but it felt like we were half way to Vermont if only because once you were up on the plateau you could see deep into the Adirondacks east across the Valley. The operators of the sugar shack were as nice as pie, traded maple butter for Canadian money and knew some Mennoites up near Wingham way so it was old home week. The neatest thing in both senses was their new oil fired evaporator which made the cleanest lightest syrup I have ever tasted.
Sure I could have found the same kind of operation this side of the river but there is a lot to be said for having the older gent in the corner make cheery fun of the look of your money and the quality of your nation's reduction of tree juices at the same time. Nice folk and a beautiful short trip.
Comments
Humblebub - March 27, 2005 8:38 am
One of my fondest memories is of sugar season in the North country. My grandfather would fire-up the sap boiler with seasoned maple and oak and commence the long process of boiling down the maple syrup. What a wonderful impact on the senses this was. Crisp North country mornings with the smell of boiling maple sap and burning maple and oak. I can still smell the interior of the sugar house.
While small children love the splattering of hot maple syrup on the fresh snow (it instantly turned to maple sugar), the two Belgian mares were also sure to be found just outside the door waiting for their share of the treats.
What a great memory! Thanks for reminding me, Al.
Alan - March 27, 2005 8:43 am
That view of the Valley is one of the loviest scenes I have seen in eastern North America. I have some more photos that I am posting.
NYCO - March 27, 2005 10:05 am
Are you talking about the valley at Lowville? Yes, that's a very nice sight.
Alan - March 27, 2005 12:01 pm
That would be it. We were about 5 miles north of Lowville which I am proud to say I know rhymes with Wow-ville.
Golden Maple Shanty - January 19, 2006 4:09 pm
Hi Alan: A very nice job of promoting our maple shanty and processing equipment. We enjoyed very much having you coming to visit us. You know you can come again this year. You would be most welcome. We are having 2 open houses this year. The first being Saturday, March 25, 2006 and the second being Saturday, April 1, 2006. We are always open for visitors to come to see and smell the process of making maple syrup. We do thank you so very much for the pictures and articile about us. It's the nice deeds like this that make our world a better place to live. The best to you and your family and may God richly bless you. Thanks again for promoting us in such a positive way.
Marvin and Nancy Widrick @ Golden Maple Shanty
Alan - January 19, 2006 4:31 pm
Excellent! We have already contemplated the 2006 trip. Our little guy maple butter is seriously in love with your maple butter.