Sap to Syrup

This past weekend, Charlie and I went to Holliday Park for a special program called "Sap to Syrup".  We met up with my friend Katie and her son Cole on a very chilly day!  Since it was during naptime, it was a special event around here!

The program included a self-guided tour through the woods, where we stopped at stations to hear all about the process of making maple syrup.  Surprisingly, Charlie was very interested, and enjoyed the walk in the woods.  Katie snapped a few pictures for me on her phone :)

 

At one of the stations, Charlie got to try the hand drill on a fallen log, to make a hole for the syrup to come out.  Charlie was so excited to try the drill (even resulting in a few tears while we waited for his turn) and together we made 2 holes in the log.  We learned that it takes 50-60 gallons of Indiana sap (from the Sugar Maple) to make only one gallon of maple syrup--no wonder it is so expensive!!!  There was a bucket set up with a tap from one of trees, and it was full of frozen sap...too cold.  I didn't know the sap was clear!

After the walk through the woods, we saw sap boiling over a campfire, and the boys got to do a taste test--pure maple syrup (what we use at our house) versus "log cabin" fake syrup.  Cole said he preferred the log cabin (Katie says he's never had anything but the real deal) but Charlie wouldn't pick--he liked both!

Inside for a tasty treat (biscuit, ice cream and maple syrup on top) and a cool craft--coloring a maple leaf and making it into a button.

All in all, a fun event, Charlie even ended up taking a nap after we got home--the fresh air does wonders!  We'll be back next year--hopefully for better "sugaring" weather!