Sugarbush Weekend!

This is the first of two Sugarbush Weekends at Kings Landing Historical Settlement so if you are local and haven't been there this weekend, you still have another opportunity next weekend, March 23 and 24. I went up yesterday and enjoyed several hours in the fresh air and sunshine. There were lots of visitors, in fact there was a huge lineup to get in - that's a first for me... I've never before stood in line more than a few minutes. It was great to see so many young families with children in tow, enjoying the village and the sugarbush activities.







 


Of course the maple taffy, poured on the snow and rolled up on a stick was the most popular of all- who can resist that sticky sweet taste of spring?  One could see the syrup boiling in the iron pots over an open fire just behind the area where the taffy was being poured. Nearby, buckets hung on maple trees. It was a cold morning and when I first passed by the sap was not yet running, but several hours later, after the sun had "warmed" the trees a bit, the spiles were dripping...

 Many enjoyed a wagon ride to shorten their walk  from one side of the village to the other. Wagon rides are always popular with children and seniors. Even the horses seemed happy to be out in the fresh air, "back at work".....




  


 Most people stop on the bridge to admire the beloved mill. Water was pouring over the dam just to the left of the mill - it was so nice to hear that water running.. a sure sign of spring. It won't be long now until the ice is gone from the river and the inlets.








The animals are always a favourite  with the children. The Joslin Farm is a magnet for the children - for many it's their first time seeing a real cow or sheep, or patting a horse. (I was amazed at how many thought the sheep were goats!! Guess they were "city" kids.. lol) The littlest ones were not too anxious to get up real close.... No wonder- when you're only 2.5 feet tall, these animals must appear gigantic! You could tell the oxen and horses were happy to be out of the barn and soaking up the sunshine.




It was a great day at the Landing.. of course in my opinion  ANY day at the Landing is a great day.  So if you live in this "neck of the woods", get yourself up to Sugarbush Weekend at Kings Landing Historical Settlement. You can read more about it here (written by my DD...yes, I'm a proud Mama)
Of course you can also enjoy a wonderful breakfast in the Visitors Reception Centre, and support YSSR - the York Sunbury Search and Rescue unit. Pancakes and syrup, bacon, sausage, baked beans and more! Yummmmmm...

If you want to experience a real sugarbush operation, you can continue upriver a few more miles to Dumfries Maples and see a "modern" sugarbush operation. What a great learning activity for children- see the entire process from taps and taplines to the evaporator and bottling.

Happy St. Patrick's Day to all....have you seen a leprechaun yet?

Peace
Linda

St. Patrick's Day is an enchanted time -- a day to begin transforming winter's dreams into summer's magic.