Favourite Place

As you enter the bush to the sugar shack you cross a small spring fed creek descending from one of the many springs emerging along the escarpment. In earlier times, someone has put in a culvert so a tractor can easily cross the creek. The creek never freezes or goes dry, so no matter the time of year, it 'burbles' as it slowly drops over the mixture of granite ('fieldstone') and limestone rocks. It is beautiful to stand on the bridge and listen to the 'burble' and enjoy the view. We have several pictures from that exact spot every year. I just can't NOT take a picture! Once the clean up of the maple syrup equipment is finished, the creek bed is yellow as it is filled with marsh marigolds. Along with the dog-toothed violets, these are the earliest flowers we get to enjoy.

Winter View from the Bridge

McCutcheon Springs 2015

It has now been 20 years that we have been making syrup in the bush. It is unbelievable how time flies!

We started by using buckets and spiles from both of our parents and the old pan from Kevin's family. Kev built the sugar shack in the months following his Dad's death and we used the old brace and bit and a battery powered (that is a car battery!) drill for a total of 350 taps. We had a pretty good year and had to find somewhere to sell the syrup... and so started our Saturday morning ritual at the Owen Sound Farmer's Market!

Old galvanized buckets from the McCutcheon household and lids from neighbour Mac Johnson

The sugar bush faces north with the escarpment to the south. With prevailing winter winds from the northwest, the snow piles deep around the trees (ridiculous to walk through and carry full pails of sap!). Over the early years, we expanded to 450 taps. Everyone that we knew got calls to help collect when the sap was running. I tried to take holidays at the right time, but Mother Nature never cooperated. I usually did the least work of anyone!

Hence, in 2001, we bought a small evaporator and moved to about 750 taps on pipeline. The theory was that Kev could manage a day in the bush by himself. As the pipeline runs by gravity down the slopes of the escarpment, there is limited activity needed for pumping. Although it is a long lonely day, Kev can manage the operation on his own. Now the rest of us join him to keep him company!

Kev's Mom visits every year during syrup season

The machine that makes it all possible!