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Sugar Shacks should not be confused with the B-52's Love Shack. Sure it is a place where we can get together but a Sugar Shack (or Cabane à Sucre if you prefer) involves lots and lots of maple syrup. I have a confession to make - until this past weekend I, Sassymonkey, was a Sugar Shack virgin. Sure I had read lots about sugaring off season and I even remember that Road to Avonlea episode where Felicity decides to become a maple syrup entrepreneur. I sing the praises of real maple syrup and kicked poor Aunt Jemima out of my kitchen years ago. I'd never had maple syrup that has been been pouring, steaming hot, onto a pile of snow to make a pure maple lollipop. Last weekend that all changed.
One might wonder how someone in Canada can get to the age of almost thirty without having visited a sugar shack. After all, Canada produces 85% of the world's supply of the sweet syrup. We must have Sugar Shacks all over the place right? Well, that certainly feels true if you live in Quebec where 80% of Canadian maple syrup comes from. Many places in Canada are not close to sugar shack and that was certainly the case where I grew up. Then I spent ten years living in cities without access to a car. Getting to a sugar shack wasn't easy. I declared that this was going to be the year that I visited my first Sugar Shack.
Our Sunday morning started early. We were out of bed by eight and on the road by nine. It was an hour away and I was fretting a bit that we'd be greeted with a long line. It must be said that my partner thought I was nuts. He was of the opinion that very few people would be out bed and at a Sugar Shack so early. When we got there we were greeted by people directing parking. Heh!
This is the sight that met us. All that steam means lots and lots of yummy syrup.
We (ok, I) had choosen Wheeler's Sugar Shack even though it is a very modern producer. Why? I completely swayed by reviews that raved about their maple sausages. I just can't say no to them. When we walked took our place in the twenty-five minute long line. I sampled some syrup that was poured onto "snow" (crushed ice) and formed a lollipop. It reminded me a lot of toffee. Finally we sat down and ordered out breakfast - pancakes, french toast, maple sausages, and maple baked beans. Yum.
After we finished eating we rolled ourselves out the door and found a line-up that had to be at least an hour long. (I refrained from saying "I told you so" which I think was very big of me. I may not have been able to choke back the "HA!" though.) We toured the little museum and visited some farm animals. We had hoped to walk though one of the trails but it was cold and icy.
I'm no longer a Sugar Shack virigin. Neither of any of these bloggers.
A Hippie With a Minivan goes to the same Cabane à Sucre each year.
Michelle's a Mom says the Sugar Shack is March Break fun.
The Pure Bliss blog compares maple syrup to marriage.
Life with Kerri is especially sweet when it involves a trip to Sand Road Sugar Camp.
Contributing Editor Sassymonkey also blogs at Sassymonkey and Sassymonkey Reads.
