Visit A-MAZE-ING Sterling!!!!
Written: Aug 04 '00 (Updated Aug 05 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Fun~ Educational~ Very Different
Cons: It can get uncomfortably hot inside of the maze~ I suggest to go In October
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| Lark729_89's Full Review: Massachusetts |
Located on Redstone Hill Road in the county of Thoreau, town of Sterling, Massachusetts is a maze of delights along with an educational and unique farm. This is no ordinary maze nor is the farm just an ordinary farm. Davis' Farm is the home of endangered farm animals. I know what you're thinking. I've heard of endangered wild life but whoever heard of endangered farm animals? Well, more about that later. Davis' Mega Maze is the largest in New England crafted by a genius. Then there's the little town lamb which I thought was adorable.
Let me start with the town of Sterling, Massachusetts. It is located off of Highway 62 west of Boston. My friend and I stopped at a store to load our backpacks with cold drinking water for our thermos. We saw a small statue of a cute lamb on the town common which I later learned was Mary Sawyer Tyler's little lamb who used to follow her to The Red Stone Schoolhouse which still stands today.
Mary lived in the early 1800's in Sterling and a Harvard visitor, John Roulstone happened to write the song about it that became known as "Mary Had A Little Lamb." Later more stanzas were added by Sarah Hale. This, I was told by a local person of Sterling, so don't quote me on it. Others have said that it is only a legend and though Mary did have a lamb that followed her everywhere, the song was just a coincidence. Each Christmas season though, the town places a decorated wreathe around the lamb's neck. I'd like to believe as some residents in Sterling do...that the song was really written for Mary Sawyer Tyler.
Okay, so much for the lamb, let's get to the Davis' farm which is owned by Larry, Doug and John Davis, 3 farmers who figured their farm was worth lots of attention. In fact so much that it has attracted people from all over the world. The Davis' boys and their staff raise and breed endangered farm animals. The breeds of the animals go way back into the 1600's. It's an unusual farm which houses many odd-looking animals with odd names.
There are Jacob, Barbados and St. Cruix sheep, Highland cattle, San Clemente goats and so many other rare animals. We learned much at this interesting farm. One fact I didn't know is that the Holstein Cows originated from Europe and in the 1800's a Massachusetts breeder purchased one and found it to be successful in giving milk on the voyage back to Boston. Later he purchased many more Holstein cows.
The Davis' goal is to breed these rare animals because they are more hardy and more disease-free than common farm animals. Their life span is longer and more productive and they are more adaptable to the environment and changing climate. Should disease and climate kill off the weaker ordinary farm animals, Davis' rare breeds would still be around.
At this farm there are many things for children such as a petting zoo where they can pet and feed the goats using only the Davis' special food. The food can be purchased at the farm. My friend's granddaughter really enjoyed this. The farm offers pony rides and a Safari Hayride where we travelled to higher pastures way out to see some of the larger rare animals up close. They surely are very rare indeed. The children's area has a "pretend" farm, a mini maze and a water slide which Jessica thoroughly enjoyed. This farm area is appropriate for children over 2 in the discovery and learning process of rare animals.
Now I shall get to the dizzying part, the complicated part that is located across the street from the farm. It is The Davis' Mega Maze and it is MEGA in size. This is 6 acres of corn and sorghum, over 2 miles of inter-winding and very intricate paths surrounded by tall eaves of corn.
Before we entered we were given a flag and a microphone to talk into. The point is to find the Golden Gate Bridge. We were asked if any of us had to use the restroom. We were told that there is a porta potty inside of the maze but... we had to find it ourselves. Also we were asked if anyone had asthma or any kind of illness or phobia.
Well, we entered the maze and believe me, after an hour we thought we never would find that Golden Gate Bridge. Jessica had to use the porta potty and we were completely at a loss as to what to do. We were nervously trying to get through the eaves of tall corn and started being very thankful we found a wooden bridge and some clues but it wasn't the bridge we wanted.
I wanted to use the microphone to alert the maze wizard but my friend wouldn't hear of it. Anyway, 4-year-old Jessica pouted until a beautiful butterfly stopped to rest on the top of her head. Then she spotted the grasshoppers and she was really having fun then. Nature sure was inside of that maze with us as we saw all kinds of birds as well as the plants and shrubs. We were glad when we finally located the porta potty.
It was a little over 2 hours but it felt longer due to the heat and being frustrated each time we thought we had found a clue to the Golden Bridge but hadn't located it. We were thankful we had our water even though it had warmed up some. All in all, I think it was so much fun and basically a physical and mental challenge. Although we had the speaking tubes, we never really had need to call the maze wizard even though at times I was feeling a bit closed in due to the heat.
The sorghum is used for the times when it rains at the maze. When the water hits the corn, it tends to bend and not be high enough. If you ever plan on visiting this place, please call ahead to make sure that there is no rain in the forecast or they will close it for the day. The number is 978-422-8888. They have their forecast decision made at 8 am every day 7 days a week until September 4th. Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday September 9th through October 29th and through the winter the maze is opened by appointment only.
Each year a different theme is chosen for the Davis' Mega Maze. That year we went it was The Dragon. One year I heard it was a Pirate theme. From a helicopter view I saw on a postcard, the maze is made to look three-dimensional with the bridges and the plants and shrubs. Adrian Fisher, a well-known Englishman, designs these unusual mazes. Adrian has designed many mazes all over the world. He has broken the Guinness Book of Records four times. He is the author of Mind Bending Puzzle Mazes and the 1997 book "Secrets Of The Maze."
I'd like to offer you a list to make things a little more comfortable just in case you decide to visit.
1) First of all, visit the restroom before you enter the maze.
2) Backpacks filled with plenty of water is a MUST.
3) Watch where you walk, sometimes the ground is uneven due to the elements and workers.
4) Be sure not to let children climb over bridge railings or eat the corn.
5) Use your microphone to contact the maze wizard if you have to.
6) Carry that flag around at all times.
7) Wear comfortable shoes and light clothing.
I guess that about sums it up for the largest maze in New England. This year I heard that there is an Alien Maze. I know people who went and said that there are more solutions to get out of this maze than the one we went to. Oh! and please don't touch the corn. It's working corn, not sweet corn and after the season is over, it is left for the cattle. To my friend who had eaten some kernels: I guess you learned your lesson :) She broke a tooth, by the way.
Later we went across the street to the Herd Rock Calfe back on the farm to get hot dogs, chips and soda. Jessica had chocolate Moo-Moo's ice cream for dessert. My friend with the broken tooth didn't have a hot dog, she only wanted vanilla ice cream. I think Moo-Moo's ice cream is the best, even better than Ben & Jerry's (yes, I tasted some of hers)
I failed to mention that I think it's best to purchase the Combo tickets to both the farm and the maze. The prices are $14.50 for adults and children over 14. It's $7.50 for children under 14 and seniors. Under age 4, it is free.
Oh, and bring your camera. I guarantee that this trip will be very interesting, both the farm and the maze. Enjoy a memorable time seeing unique farm animals and then getting lost. It's more fun than hide 'n seek. It's also a perfect idea for a birthday party.
Too bad it's almost 3 hours away from me. I'd like to go back and see the theme for the Alien Maze this year and the fact that there are more solutions for getting out. I also heard that in October the Davis' family is having something cooked up for a special daytime Halloween Maze. This A-Maze-ing experience will stir your mind in Sterling, Massachusetts.
Note: Due to reading Coldsteel7's review about Travel, I realized I overlooked adding the web site for Davis' Farm and Mega Maze. Sorry about that! www.davisfarmland.com
Recommended:
Yes
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Lark729_89
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Location: Massachusetts
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Life's not about waiting for storms to pass...it's about dancing in the rain.
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