Inside Look is a Modesto Bee series where we take readers behind the scenes at restaurants, new businesses, local landmarks and news stories.
Few things spark happiness as quickly as a sunflower. Plant thousands of them in a maze, and you’re assured a full day of smiles.
Nestled in the outskirts of Waterford, the newly opened Sunflower Maze at Old Tim Bell Farms is already a hit.
Opened on Saturday, June 22, the first day brought out around 500 people, says owner Rachel Springer. She, her husband Tyler, and their young sons Axel and Boe, embarked on this flower journey last fall after going viral with their family photos.
“We planted a wildflower garden with sunflowers to take our family photos last October. People went wild over the portraits and my photographer encouraged us to open this up for photo opportunities. It became popular and then we had the idea to create a maze,” says Rachel Springer.
Set on their five acres, the maze is about half an acre, but not daunting. Pleasant paths are abuzz with bees and dragonflies and the excitement of getting to the center. Once there, a charming wooden swing lies among the blooms setting the scene for an incredible shot.