Time to pull the taps on the 2026 sugar season

Captain Rich got us into the fish right away

And in no time at all. Beau limited out in just fifteen minutes and with this fish he got his personals best....34"  &   20.5 lbs. 

Time to sit back an watch

I caught a first for me, a  lake or rock sturgeon, anther species of prehistoric fish.

My personal best fish was 35 lbs.

I also caught a small paddle fish to conclude another great day of fishing on the Mississippi.

A quick stop down to the JCI shop and a few layers of paint

a little golf while the paint dried

Early start down in the Sugar Shack Sunday morning.

I had maple venison with a fried egg and american cheese on a Japanese salt bun 

Beau an Anabel came back down river to clear coat the JCI truck 

Susie and Nazhoni came down too with a few treats for me and to enjoy some tasty coco.

It's always so nice to have a few helpers down in the sugar bush and even better when it's family!

It's close to being done as the twilight sets in.

So it's time to shut things down for the night 

And finish up this batch 

and the 2026 sugar season

 

Love is in the Air and Maple too.

Our Valentines tableau

Home made strawberry marshmellows

Love

Tap in snow

For an early flow!

Drip by Drip the sap will flow

Time to boil

My Timber Tableau

As the temperatures reached 55*

Jace and Dave stopped by to enjoy the afternoon boil

 

January Cold Snap!

After our false spring early in January, I managed to get out and wet a line just before our plunge into subzero weather.  no fish :(

We've been keeping an eye on the cats at Joan and Mart's

Our coldest morning started out at -17*  with wind chills dropping down to -45*

Jimmy and Deats came over today.

We got out for a frigid hike

Susie and I have been keeping warm experimenting with a new cocktail 

1934 Cosmopolitan

And our next false spring is right around the corner...

and so maple syrup time

Happy Birthday Bo!

 

Spring Training - It's time to start walking!

It's not always that warm or too easy to walk

Every now and then something catches your eye

Trail tree for this modern Indian

I kicked up a few deer that were still holding antlers

This one did not fair so well.  The yotes picked it pretty clean.

I pruned the grape vines

Salvaged a few blocks 

Removed some old rail road ties and 

Replaced them with the blocks

Bring on the weekend!

 

HAY! TAKE A HIKE.

Welcome to Iowa

Jump

run

climb

and hike

Now, get to work.

Lets eat

do you need help?

more greens

sad

Happy

time to open some gifts

look

WoW!

Were to hang it

The Goetschels

All Smiles