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Murray showing us the "inside" of a maple tree that had been "tapped" - you can see the holes from where the taps were placed from the outside going into the tree
I did not know much the farming and processing of maple syrup, but, boy did I learn a lot today. Our guide (and owner of White Meadow Farm, Murray was a wonderful tour guide.
He did not miss a beat in telling us from start to finish, the way in which maple syrup is created.
Our tour started inside where we it all begins - with sap from the maple tree.
Murray showed us a bottle of sap, which really just resembles water. From this point, it is heated until it reaches a certain temperature, and that is when it becomes maple syrup. Easy enough, right?
Not quite. After being shown the various pieces of equipment used during the heating and filtering process (this process insures that any bits of sediment are removed so the syrup is nice and smooth), we were escorted outside to the "truck" where Murray drove us into the forest, where the tour got super interesting and fun!
We learned about the diversity of trees in the forest, and the steps that go into harvesting the sap. For instance, did you know that a tree needs to be at least 40 years old to "tap" it for sap or it can die? Or that the season for gathering maple sap is only from February to April.
The native Americans were making maple syrup for thousands of years - something I wasn't aware of.
I also learned that if you freeze maple syrup (the unprocessed kind that is produced by farms like White Meadow Farms), it will still pour out liquid and not freeze.
Tanya and I will be doing a full article about the details of this tour as well as LOTS of interesting facts about Maple Syrup!! Stay tuned!!
He did not miss a beat in telling us from start to finish, the way in which maple syrup is created.
Our tour started inside where we it all begins - with sap from the maple tree.
Murray showed us a bottle of sap, which really just resembles water. From this point, it is heated until it reaches a certain temperature, and that is when it becomes maple syrup. Easy enough, right?
Not quite. After being shown the various pieces of equipment used during the heating and filtering process (this process insures that any bits of sediment are removed so the syrup is nice and smooth), we were escorted outside to the "truck" where Murray drove us into the forest, where the tour got super interesting and fun!
We learned about the diversity of trees in the forest, and the steps that go into harvesting the sap. For instance, did you know that a tree needs to be at least 40 years old to "tap" it for sap or it can die? Or that the season for gathering maple sap is only from February to April.
The native Americans were making maple syrup for thousands of years - something I wasn't aware of.
I also learned that if you freeze maple syrup (the unprocessed kind that is produced by farms like White Meadow Farms), it will still pour out liquid and not freeze.
Tanya and I will be doing a full article about the details of this tour as well as LOTS of interesting facts about Maple Syrup!! Stay tuned!!
Hot maple syrup being poured on the ice or "snow"
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The Cousins at White Meadow Farm on Maple Syrup Tour
The biggest treat (literally) was when we had the opportunity to taste "Taffy on Snow" which is just heated maple syrup poured on ice and rolled up into taffy. Boy was it delicious!! Everyone enjoyed this, the last segment of our tour!!
Many thanks to Murray's son, Nicholas, who presented us with this sweet delight!
When the tour was over, Tedd and I headed over to the Maple Sweet Show, while Tanya walked with the four kids to the petting zoo to see the animals.
The shop was filled with everything maple!! I snatched up a few 1-liter bottles of maple syrup, as well as some maple covered peanuts, and maple barbeque sauce! So much to buy - I had to refrain from buying up all the goodies!!
From the Sweet Shop, I headed right over to the Pancake House, where my gang sampled the pancakes with maple syrup and I indulged in a Maple Hot Chocolate which was so yummy!!!
Many thanks to Murray's son, Nicholas, who presented us with this sweet delight!
When the tour was over, Tedd and I headed over to the Maple Sweet Show, while Tanya walked with the four kids to the petting zoo to see the animals.
The shop was filled with everything maple!! I snatched up a few 1-liter bottles of maple syrup, as well as some maple covered peanuts, and maple barbeque sauce! So much to buy - I had to refrain from buying up all the goodies!!
From the Sweet Shop, I headed right over to the Pancake House, where my gang sampled the pancakes with maple syrup and I indulged in a Maple Hot Chocolate which was so yummy!!!
inside the Pancake House at White Meadows Farm
Our visit was truly delightful and one of the highlights for me. But, our day was far from over. We got our caravan going and headed to the Canadian side of Niagara Falls to walk around the town.
We did a little shopping, took some photos from this vantage point and Kelsey and I took a ride on the SkyWheel, where captured some great views of the Falls!! Not to mention, a whole bunch of selfies and a video from inside our ferris wheel car.
We did a little shopping, took some photos from this vantage point and Kelsey and I took a ride on the SkyWheel, where captured some great views of the Falls!! Not to mention, a whole bunch of selfies and a video from inside our ferris wheel car.
Selfie with Niagara Falls behind us
View of the Falls from the SkyWheel
Last and final stop for the day was Cave of Winds on the American side of Niagara Falls.
As you may remember, we never did make it here the other day when we did Maid of the Mist. So, upon returning to Niagara Falls today on our way back to New York, this was on our agenda.
Ok folks, I totally pooped out on this one. I was little tired and had a bad sinus headache. But nothing stood in the way of Tanya and the four kids. They proceeded like troopers and battled the torrents of the Falls and got soaked!!! Check out Tanya's side for more photos!!
As you may remember, we never did make it here the other day when we did Maid of the Mist. So, upon returning to Niagara Falls today on our way back to New York, this was on our agenda.
Ok folks, I totally pooped out on this one. I was little tired and had a bad sinus headache. But nothing stood in the way of Tanya and the four kids. They proceeded like troopers and battled the torrents of the Falls and got soaked!!! Check out Tanya's side for more photos!!
Cave of Winds
We walked around the Grand View Marketplace and took yet more pictures. I was on overload by this point and just wanted to get on our way to our stop for the night - Albany.
The ride was pretty long and Tedd and I switched off driving. We didn't arrive until 1am. We did "down and dirty" and stayed at a Red Roof Inn, which was perfectly fine. But, when we pulled up and got our bags out of the trunk, I told Gianna to wheel her's and she replied "Isn't there a bellhop?" That is what I get for introducing my daughter to the finer things in life. I got a good laugh at that one!!
I'm calling it a night folks - signing off at 2:48Am as we have another early day to hit the state capitol and get to Ramblewild!
Will see ya back here tomorrow from back home on Long Island!!
-E
xoxo
The ride was pretty long and Tedd and I switched off driving. We didn't arrive until 1am. We did "down and dirty" and stayed at a Red Roof Inn, which was perfectly fine. But, when we pulled up and got our bags out of the trunk, I told Gianna to wheel her's and she replied "Isn't there a bellhop?" That is what I get for introducing my daughter to the finer things in life. I got a good laugh at that one!!
I'm calling it a night folks - signing off at 2:48Am as we have another early day to hit the state capitol and get to Ramblewild!
Will see ya back here tomorrow from back home on Long Island!!
-E
xoxo
AT WHITE MEADOW FARM WITH OWNERS, MURRAY & SON NICHOLAS
