Corn Maze
With all those fields of corn in Minnesota, it's not surprising that someone would build a maze in the corn field. In fact several are commercial enterprises. Reportedly they make more money than if they simply farm, even though there are many costs in setting up everything. It is a computer generated design. It appears to be planted per design... not simply cut in the pattern. Pathways are about 4 feet wide and are solid packed soil.
On a nice, sunny, Sunday (October 21, 2001) Fall afternoon, Grandma Theresa & Grandpa Roger, Mothers Sarah & Kathy; and the 4 Grandchildren (Garth, Hannah, Connor, Kyla) spent a wonderful afternoon... but left in time to go see the Vikings beat the Green Bay Packers (Go Vikes!).
This is the entrance. Grandpa at the far left; kids center.
Looking at the map before beginning. l. to r.: Sarah, Hannah, Kyla, Garth, Connor, Kathy, Grandpa Roger.
Hannah in the TALL corn. (Kids were cautioned to stay together and stay on the trails. We did not want to lose anyone.)
Gath, Connor, Hannah, Kyla trying to make sense out of the map. We were up one story on this deck and still could not really make out the maze.
Grandpa, Connor, Sarah, Garth, Kyla, Kathy, (and Hannah in the shadows). I think the corn was 8 feet tall.
Here is a photo of an overview of the elaborate maze...a map of USA. Ten miles was one step. There were signs to tell which state you were facing, etc.
Out of maze, in concession area. Hannah, Sarah, Kyla, Kathy, Connor in front, and Garth.
Hannah & Garth hamming it up.
Hannah in another pose.
The great camel ride (after a false start when camel wouldn't walk while he (she?) went potty. Kyla and Hannah went, but the boys opted out. See the hump between them. The feet were fun too... much bigger than a horse, and "padded". Also they have an extra joint, in both front and back limbs, than most animals... essentially two "knees" on each leg. But we never saw the proverbial "spitting" for which they seem to be famous.
Connor & Kyla on the John Deere tractor...just like Great Grandpa Louie's and Uncle Jim's.
Garth on same tractor.
Hannah on a pony ride. Grandma Theresa watching. (Note camel riding station in the background).
Another view of Hannah enjoying her pony ride. (The young man behind her held the only open "pony station" and was the "driver". ) Note the ripe corn everywhere, ready to harvest.
That concludes our fun tour of the Sever corn maze at Shakpoee, MN. It also included pig races, and a petting zoo (not sure why we got no photos of that). A good time was had by all. Afterwards we had burgers at a nearby restaurant; and returned home to see the Vikings beat the Packers.
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