Copyright 2004 CanWest Interactive

October 9, 2004 Saturday Final Edition

SECTION: STYLE WEEKYZ: TRAVEL & LEISURE; Pg. K9

LENGTH: 908 words

HEADLINE: A-maze-ing history lesson: 10-acre corn maze tells story of the Underground Railroad

BYLINE: Karen Smith, The Ottawa Citizen

BODY:

What did you do? Spent the afternoon ambling through the elaborate and creative Mink's Corn Maze nestled in rural Napanee, west of Kingston.

Why? It seemed like a fun, family-friendly way to burn off the never-ending energy of a rambunctious two-and-half-year-old. And, as it turns out, to discover the little known yet intriguing role of the area in the history of the Underground Railroad -- which was neither underground nor a railroad but a loosely constructed network of secret escape routes used by thousands of slaves to flee from the southern United States to Canada in the mid-1800s.

What is a corn maze? A corn maze is just that, a network of paths constructed completely from corn stalks. The goal is to take the right right or right left and find your way out of the maze without hitting a dead end. For children, and the less adventurous, owners Dave and Karen Wood have constructed a small and simple children's maze. For the more daring, there are two large mazes -- with some cornstalks stretching as high as 14 feet -- carved from 10 acres of the Wood's 22-acre property that runs along the Napanee River.

Why is the maze named Mink? The Woods decided that, in addition, to creating an afternoon of autumnal activity, they would pay tribute to a local legend. At the end of the Woods' property you'll find the remains of the original Mink's Bridge, named after the freed African-American slave Mink who is said to have settled in the area after he was brought here by British Loyalists.

Are there any tricks to getting through the maze on the first try? Do your homework. Inside a refurbished old barn adjacent to the mazes is a series of placards featuring handmade quilts slaves used to communicate important messages to those fleeing north. Each provides a clue to help you navigate the mazes. If you paid attention, you should be able to make it through both of the larger mazes in about one hour (half-hour each). Of course, more spontaneous folks can skip the history lesson and fend for themselves once inside.

Why drive almost two-and-a-half hours to cut your way through cornstalks? This particular maze is, ahem, a-maze-ing. Although this is only the second year the Woods have carved out the maize maze, an aerial photo of the 10-acre labyrinth on display in the barn shows just how remarkable it is. The first maze depicts an intricate train engine and the second, its box car. Karen Wood spent one week crafting the maze on grid paper, staking out the design in 15-metre sections and pulling cornstalks by hand and the help of the occasional Weed Eater. The fact you can learn some little known history in the process is an added bonus.

What else can I do? Mink's also provides wagon rides, a petting zoo, children's play area and a pumpkin patch. There is also a tempting selection of fresh local produce and homemade preserves for sale inside the barn and the quaint outdoor Chicken Coop Cafe which dishes up barbecued fare as well as chili, French fries and hot and cold beverages. Be forewarned, there is only a portable toilet on site.

What else do I need to know? Although the weather is somewhat cooler now than when the maze first opened earlier this season, it can still get very hot inside. It is recommended you bring a bottle of water or two with you on your journey. Children under age 14 are not permitted inside the mazes without an adult.

When can I go? The maze is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays and holidays until Oct. 31. Fridays are reserved for groups of 10 or more and reservations should be made in advance by calling 1-613-354-1850. The Woods have also organized a special Flight By Night Weekend Oct. 29-31. From dusk until 10 p.m., maze goers can be thrilled -- and frightened -- by would-be slave masters and other unknowns lurking amongst the cornstalks. This particular event is not recommended for small children and flashlights are required.

How much will it cost me? Admission is $6 for adults and $4 for children under 12. Children under five are free. During the Flight by Night event, $1 from each admission will be donated to the Canadian Cancer Society.

How do I get there? Napanee is about 30 kilometres west of Kingston, about a two-and-a-half hour drive from downtown Ottawa. Take Highway 416 south to Highway 401 and head west toward Kingston. Take the first exit into Napanee (Palace Road) and turn left (north) toward Newburgh. When you come to the

T-junction at the end of the road, turn left onto County Road 1 (Newburgh Road). The maze is about half

a kilometre down the road on the right. Signs are well posted. For a more scenic, albeit less direct route, get off Highway 401 onto Highway 2 (at Prescott, Brockville, Gananoque or Kingston) until you reach

Napanee. Turn right onto Palace Road and proceed as above.

Anything else of interest in the area? Leave the corn maze and head east about 11 kilometres on County Road 1 and you'll find yourself in Camden East. At the crossroads of County Roads 1 and 4 is the very charming and eclectic Bookstore Cafe, a two-storey limestone building (former home of Harrowsmith magazine) chock full of new and used books, photographic memorabilia, antiques and other knick-knacks. You can also whet your appetite with a variety of snacks, hot meals and hot coffee. The licensed cafe also serves up live music every Friday night. It's open Friday to Sunday. Call 1-613-378-1102.

Karen Smith is a writer and editor living in Kingston.

GRAPHIC: Photo: Karen Smith; This century-old barn, named for one of thousands of slaves who fled the southern United States for Canada in the mid-1800s, houses all the clues needed to find your way through an elaborate 10-acre maize labyrinth.

LOAD-DATE: October 9, 2004

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