Sugaring Season is around the corner and the new websites are up and running! Soon the sap will be too! If you have never been to Vermont's wonderfully sweet season and you are close by for a weekend or day trip, this is an absolute must! Last year we spent a glorious winter day up in Southern VT and went to almost all the sugaring houses in this Whitingham website just below! It was a riot!
http://www.whitingham-maplefest.us/sugarhouses.html (The schedule of events link will be updated soon for 2012 but the events are the same most likely). Craft fair was fantastic. Had to skip the horse-drawn sleigh ride due to time constraints! So much to do, see and taste! Plan accordingly!
The two that stood out in my tour were first the Corse Sugarhouse! Up a dirt road lined with old stone walls and buckets everywhere! What a facility!
http://www.whitingham-maplefest.us/corse.html
Secondly, I fell in love with this tiny, family owned operation. The sweetest syrup on earth!
http://www.whitingham-maplefest.us/stevens.html
Everyone was so friendly and the smell of the syrup billowing through the winter air was intoxicating! In an email Andy sent to me today, he said, "NOTHING in the world like the smell of sap boiling and no sweet snack in the world like hot maple syrup right off evaporator." You got that right Andy!
In the first link you can click on different parts of the state for the various houses open for tourists. Always a good idea to call ahead. Last year one was unfortunately closed due to a pretty bad road from mud season - only 4x4's allowed down the road. Be prepared for mud season-type travel. WEAR BOOTS! A MUST!
I'm running low on syrup from Vermont foliage season buying spree at Cold Hollow so I am looking forward to stocking up! Hope you all can take advantage of one of Vermont's great seasonal events!
Enjoy!
