The Annual Spring Pilgrimage

Yesterday, we travelled into the hinterland of Lanark County on our annual spring pilgrimage to Wheelers Sugar Camp. Along the way, we observed much brown and grey, for that is what rural Eastern Ontario looks like in March when the snow is mostly gone but the land remains dormant. While the scenery wasn't terrific, it was to be expected, and it will look much better when we make our fall pilgrimage, except it won't feel so much like a pilgrimage in autumn.

We chose yesterday because it was moderately sunny and warm and appeared to predict the best weather for the next two weeks. It is also getting to be near to Sue's birthday, so we consider the outing to be part of the occasion.

The place is far off the beaten track, but it is well known, so many others had also made their pilgrimage. I had to park in the overflow lot and took this photo when I returned to the the main area.

The boilers were busy and emitted their smoke all the while we were there.
You will see later how well the sap was flowing.

To the left of the above photo, there is a dark object. It is the old shack where boiling once transpired long before the place became what it has become. I seem to take a photo in passing on every visit.

Our reservations were for noon, and there were many people either coming or going by the entrance, but our table was ready, and we made our usual order: the Canadian platter for both of us, consisting of one pancake, one slice of French toast, three of their homemade maple sausages, and all of the maple syrup that anyone could desire.

It's a very big pancake.

We snapped the usual pictures as one does: one of Sue and another silly selfie of me.

Other than that, we've visited so often over the years and taken so many pictures that we didn't do much photography. Although I packed my gear, I didn't use it, and all of the photos are by phone.

I did take one photo of the windows beyond our table. Out in the shady woods snow does remain for the time being.

The sap was really flowing through the tubes to the boilers; Sue got up to take a short video. Note: you can see more sap tubes in the background. Wheeler's is only a family operation but is impressive never the less.

That was it. We drove there, ate, and drove home. It was a good enough outing, and we'll do it again some time. For now though, we retreat a little bit as we settle back into cooler weather for a few weeks.