Ivan Visits Knoebels

I just got back from Knoebels. I kinda figured the park would have been flooded because when a thunderstorm blows thru the creek (crick as most people say around here) gets high pretty quick. My guess was correct.

The creek was about level with bottom of the covered bridge. The path along the mini golf was flooded as well. The side with the carousel was basicly untouched except between the Saloon and the Bandshell. The worst hit area was by the lighthouse and kiddieland near the kiddie whip and bumper cars.

Most of the work is just general clean up I don't think any rides were damaged.

They expect to have some rides up and running tonight for the campers and the park to be up and running tomorrow.

You want pictures? CLICK HERE

I also heard Hersheypark is closed today as well. I don't know how bad they were hit.

WOW. It is difficult to imagine that the water gets like that, even though I know it does. Glad the park had no major damage.

Dorney Park was also closed today due to flooding. The private event that they were having was canceled.

The road behind steel force to the employee parking lot was underwater and the pond under steel force was flooding all over the place.

Didn't look like there was much damage to the park and I would think they should have everything up and running tomorrow, but if anyone is heading out I would give them a call first. *** Edited 9/18/2004 8:30:31 PM UTC by MythMaker9***

I remember when Agnes blew through. Now THAT was mess. Glad to hear that the damage was minimal.

I just wonder how Williams Grove made out. I'm not sure how much water if any the Cyclone can take. I know they were hurt really bad back in '72

Let's hope another tree hasn't fallen across the lift hill!

I'd normally worry about a coaster being ruined by flood waters but there isn't much left on the Cyclone to get damaged. Besides, if any coaster has nine lives, the WG Cyclone is it.

But how many of it's 9 lives have been used up already?

According to the Knoebels museum, flooding is par for the course. They've survived before and I'm sure they have really good flood insurance.

Yea, Knoebels usually gets flooded out every 5-10 years or so. Usually it happens in the spring before before the park opens for the season. Just look around the park at the FLOOD SIGNS like in the lower right of this picture. Knoebels has seen alot worse. The last bad flood I can remember was back in 96.

Any word on Hershey. All of Harrisburg is flooded out. Hershey golf course is also flooded out. I wonder if the park was hit. I hope everyone is safe and my thoughs are with those who lost everything!

Just wanted to drop in and shout,

"I LOVE KNOEBELS!!!!"

That's all. *** Edited 9/20/2004 1:33:08 AM UTC by IBsteve***

You're far from being alone with that thought!

But I really don't think I say it often enough.

For years my heart has belonged to the Beach. Just last month, I made my first Pilgrimage to PA and I fell in love in Elysburg. So, I've now taken a mistress. I can't even look the Beach in the eye anymore. Thank goodness she's put away for the season becuase one look in my eyes and she'd surely know the truth.

I'm so ashamed.

From the moment I drove into the lot I was hooked. Heading down the main midway toward Phoenix, I was awash with nostalgia (tho I'd never been there before?), memories of childhood outings with family, it was truly special. The feelings grew stronger throughout the day until I realized that Knoebels was the most perfect park in the world!

When my siblings, cousins and I were but wee ones, my grandfather would regularly pack a picnic and all six of us into his car and we'd head out to exotic Chesterton, IN to the Enchanted Forest. For many years I've tried in vain to recapture the feelings, excitement, wonder of those summers gone by. Knoebels did it. At age 40 (egads!), I returned to those carefree, youthful days when my only concern was having enough dimes for Skeeball! I never wanted those days to end. Good times.

IB was about being old enough to run off on your own, meeting up with the folks later. IB is where I grew up. Enchanted Forest was about riding the Tilt-A-Whirl with Dad and Grandpa making sure your very well-done burger was ready when you finally slowed down enough to consider eating. Enchanted Forest is childhood. And the older you get, the harder that is to hold onto but the more important it becomes. Knoebels took me to that place again.

When we returned home a couple of weeks ago (my sister was with me so I mjust share my mistress - ick!), I called my other and cousins to tell them about Knoebels. We're all going next year.

Ahh, yes. My heart belongs to Knoebels, "The Amusement Park with a Heart!"

What was this thread about? Oh, yeah. Curse you, damn hurricane!

^Awesome. I just experienced Knoebels for the first time two weeks ago, and I share your thoughts. Amazing place. :)

It's amazing to see all this considering how small the damage was in Louisiana, not far from where the storm went ashore.

I was in New Orleans Friday and things were slow since many of the evacuees hadn't returned, but there was certainly nothing to keep SFNO from operating. (Though I didn't actually drive by the park)

It's ironic how these storms often cause as much damage in the north from their rains as they do where they go ashore. Unfortunately, Ivan seems to have caused far more deaths inshore than near land fall.

Damn overflowing cricks. I said that correctly, right coasterpunk?

Almost, Rob....

"Cricks that done jumped their banks" is the more colloquially-suited term...;)

Yes, that's the way it's pronounced in PA, and WV. I grew up along Turtle "Crick" in western PA. Of course there hasn't been a turtle sighted in it in about a hundred and fifty years.

You got it Rob. I use both creek and crick. Where I live we have the Shamokin Creek but to everyone it's known the $hit Crick because the water used to be Kool Aid or Gatorade orange from all the mine run off. Not to mention years ago peoples sewer drains used to dump into it. It brings an entire new meaning to catching some brown trout!

Heres a Dictionary to way some of us talk here. Although some of the terms I never heard. Maybe we can have a talk like someone from the coal region instead of talk like a pirate day. ;)

I live in a village called Buffalo Crossroads in East Buffalo township. There hasn't been a buffalo in Central PA since God only knows when... Of course then we also have Beaver Run road and Skunk Hollow road. ;)