Sugaring Off - Kingston Style

Growing up in Quebec, I have very fond memories of going "Sugaring Off" (trip to Maple Sugar Shack). When I was little, we'd got to a wonderful place somewhere out in the country and enjoy touring around and learning how they make maple syrup and all of the other products. We'd get to sample the maple syrup being poured onto snow, and see how they evaporate the water from the sap to make the syrup.

We'd then go into a big lodge where they had huge long tables set up, and you'd be served an amazing meal of pancakes, sausage, bacon and real maple syrup. They'd have traditional French singers and musicians playing songs and there was always lots of singing and food and fun.

Times change though. I have no idea if the festivities still run the same way in Quebec anymore, but I know that things are much simpler if you go to maple syrup festivals throughout Ontario.

While Alex and I were in Kingston for a couple of days over March Break, he and I went with my parents to a local conservation area that has a fun "Maple Madness" event going on where you can go out to the woods, learn a bit about the process of making maple syrup and sample some pancakes with warm syrup. Granted it wasn't as extravagant (or fattening lol) as it was when I was a kid in Quebec, but we truly had an amazing time.

The weather was incredible and it was so much fun to get out for a little bit with Grandma and Grandpa and Alex had fun running along the path and checking out tree after tree to taste the sap that trickled into the pots.

I got some great pictures from the morning - hope you enjoy them.

Please note - if you click on any of the pictures in my blog, they should show you an enlarged version.