Looking into a honeybee hive, any suggestions?

[Big Rigger]

You had the same plan as I did, with getting mead from the honey. I had 1 hive last year and they all left in the fall. Found the hive empty and filled with wasps...

I had three hives last year, two absconded and one froze out. I like doing it but have not found my pot of honey yet. I was planning on making mead from honey and fruits from my trees. And give to friends and take camping. I like the idea of having an extra skill too. I made my own top bar hives. I did buy an expensive suit. I plan on trying again this year. With top bar hive you way fewer bees coming at you. That being said one hive that absconded was huge, but only mabe ten bees would ever swarm me and I was never stung. It think it it still a worth while pursuit. They work their whole life away for things they will never see.