Maple Syrup!

Perhaps LC's favourite condiment. I'll have to ask him which is better - maple syrup or ketchup. He consumes both on a near daily basis. In terms of volume, I believe maple syrup wins. And we're talking the real stuff. Frankly, I see no point in the high fructose corn syrup crap.

In celebration of LC's love of maple syrup and the first day of March break and the fact that the sap is starting to run - which means that spring might actually be coming...some day.... we headed up to the Purple Woods Conservation Area north of Oshawa for the Maple Syrup Festival. It was a gorgeous day: sunny, a not-too-cold -3 degC, with lots of snow. (Left from the latest snow storm that buried us on Saturday.)

We trekked through the woods with Pepperette on my back in our backpack carrier. I'm obviously not up on the latest techniques in sap gathering, because I was surprised at the network of tubing that ran from one tree to the next, all leading downhill towards the sugar shack.

Mr. Chili and LC enjoyed meal of pancakes and sausages. Then we toured the sugar shack. Not much of a tour - small space, with a pleasant and knowledgeable tour guide but with no sap being gathered yet, not much to see. Then we went on a short wagon ride. And bought some maple syrup treats too. All told - $7 for family admission, $6 for the family wagon ride, $9.50 for the pancake, sausage, hot chocolate and $9 on maple syrup suckers and maple butter. Not a cheap outing, but fun and a pleasant way to spend an afternoon.

On our way home, we happened to drive by the White Feather country store. A good friend always used to bring us treats from White Feather. They make the most divine, amazing Chocolate Silk Truffle bars. To die for. Really. I didn't have a clue where the bakery/store was - turns out it is north of Oshawa. We stopped by and I bought some treats for the boys - pumpkin pie, raisin butter tarts and m&m cookies. It was hard not to buy more. And not to buy anything for myself. Damn thrush.

I recommend the maple syrup festival and White Feather as a good half-day outing.