March 21st, 2013

Al and I purchased a new stainless steel storage tank for the Camp Heidelberg sugar bush and it arrived from Quebec this week.  It will replace an older galvanized tank, and has a greater volume – about 1300 litres.  With that extra sap goes more weight, and the raised platform it sits on needed some bracing and re-construction.  So who you gonna call?

We brought in some experts, a few former “outdooredguys” all with maple-syrup making experience – from left to right below, Rod Deacon, Fraser Gibson, me, Kit Bresnahan and Dennis Wendland.  There hasn’t been this many of us assembled in the same place since the 1990’s.  Kit’s son Robyn who is well over 6 feet added youth and muscle to the crew along with his knowledge of carpentry.

Out came the measuring tapes, saws, drills and levels and a few hours later we hoisted the new tank onto the platform.  We made no major mistakes, suffered  no injuries, and had a lot of fun in the process.  I miss working with these guys – they are good men all –  and I appreciate both their help today, and their friendship.

So when the next run of sap is ceremonially pumped up into the new tank it’ll be thanks to a group of “Hall of Fame” outdooredguys.  Thanks fellas…