Knoebels - Divine Secrets of the PPP Coasterhood
Associated parks:
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At last, a chance to see for myself. All of the stories, all of the hype, all of the mystique that is PPP at Knoebel's. Our drive up from Dorney was quite dreary, especially since we were all pretty wet. Nearing the park around 2:00 the rain was stopping a little, so my grumpy, tired, wet traveling companions (hereafter referred to as GTWTC's) suggested heading straight for the park to make sure we could get some rides in.
Past the signs and around the bends, we come upon a surprisngly full parking lot. Having been to a lot of these craft fairs with my wife's family, I knew the "woodcraft on a stick" crowd was pretty die hard, too. My GTWTC's were shocked at the amount of cars, however. There were more here than it seemed at SFGAdv the night before!
Walking in to the park, it was like taking a step (OK, giant leap) back into the '50's. Whereas I once called Indiana Beach "the land that time forgot", I would definitely call Knoebel's "the land before time"!:)
As the rain had started back up, our first stop inside was at a gift shop for a couple of ponchos. We meandered around, quite confused from the lack of sightlines, and happened upon our first ride. I was quite amused by the fact that in buying tickets, the attendant at the booth had no register or calculator, just a till, a scratch pad and a pencil! Tix in hand, it's on to...
Whirlwind
Highs: Trees so close you can almost touch 'em
Lows: Could use a paint job.
The Verdict: Probably the most unique layout I've seen for one of these old corkscrews.
Getting of the train, I notice a table set up in the station with a crock-pot, some chips, basically your usual pot-luck supper type stuff. How casual is this, pot-luck, in the station? Too cool!
Next, we wandered back to the swap meet, where it was nice to catch up with His Moosh-ness and peruse the beautiful S&D calnedar. We also looked over all of the other vendors' items for sale. One bit of commentary/question; would anyone really buy a used coaster shirt, complete with pit stains? Yuck!
Well, standing in *her* shadow, I couldn't help but feel the pull. Would she live up to the hype? Would it be a case of "antici-pointment"? Over for our tickets (at $1.60 a ride, how can you beat that?), give them to the attendant (who also has a pile of food at her table, hmmmm), it's on to ride...
Phoenix
Highs: EVERYTHING
Lows: NOTHING
The Verdict: PERFECTION!
Sorry if I seem like I'm shouting, but I'll say it again, because it bears repeating......
Phoenix is perfect!
From the tunnel before the lift, to the literal air on every transition, every element of this ride is exactly the way the coaster gods intended. I was giggling my @$$ off the whole way through. WOW! I honestly feel like I can't say enough about this ride. I even like the unique moss green paint color! I have truly found my new #1 woodie:):):) Of course, after a ride in the front, it was back around for a go at the back seat. Oh, yeah this thing rules!
After our two laps, it was through some more puddles, across the road, and over to ride....
Twister
Highs: Cool split lift, awesome layout with amazing laterals
Lows: Again, I really can't find fault here.
The Verdict: My first experience with truly lateral air.
Wow! I've got to say that this place probably has the best wood 1-2 punch I've ever seen (I have yet to get to Holiday World).
It was at this moment that I heard the words from my GTWTC's that I had been anticipating and dreading most of the afternoon....
"We're tired. Let's go."
NNNNNOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!
But, as I forced myself to realize that it was their vacation as well as mine, I acquiesced and we started towards the exit. On the way out, I did get to pause and finally see some good ol' Flyer snapping live for the first time. Yikes!
So here it is, five days later, and I still just can't get the image of Lady Phoenix out of my head. I've already told this missus that I've got to get back there.
There's always next year, right?
Later,
EV
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"Everybody has desperate days of quiet questioning.
Everybody has times when they feel like they don't fit in."
- Color Theory, So Many Ways, 2001
*** This post was edited by EchoVictor 10/9/2003 4:37:42 PM ***
Too bad you guys cut out early, the event was really good, and it would have been nice to say 'hi.'
But at least you realized the true greatness of Knoebel's wooden coasters ;)
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-Rob
A.C.E. member since 1990
Posting @ Coasterbuzz since 2000
E.C.C. member since 2002
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Mike Miller - The CPG: The ORIGINAL flash mob
"Next, we wandered back to the swap meet, where it was nice to catch up with His Moosh-ness and peruse the items for sale. One bit of commentary/question; would anyone really buy a used coaster shirt, complete with pit stains? Yuck!"
Great seeing you again as well, Eric! Just to clarify we were not selling that used shirt, just cards and calendars ;) And I agree with Bass...your friends making you miss PPP is a sin! You missed the best freakin' part of the day!
mOOSH
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Holiday cards, All-Occasion cards, 2004 Wood Coaster Calendar now available at S&D Greetings.
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-Rob
A.C.E. member since 1990
Posting @ Coasterbuzz since 2000
E.C.C. member since 2002
sorry for the incorrect implication. Original post edited.:)
Although, the items in question were just a few feet away....;)
Later,
EV
-----
"Everybody has desperate days of quiet questioning.
Everybody has times when they feel like they don't fit in."
- Color Theory, So Many Ways, 2001
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Rob - Jerk/Loser - Standing up for the unfunny and unattractive. - Click here for details
Wait, you cut out before night time and PPP?
Sure he did. You could arguably say that EchoVictor is PatriotWhiskey'd.
-CO
(who couldn't resist)
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The CPlaya 100--6 days, 9 parks, 47 coasters, 2037 miles and a winner.....LoCoSuMo.
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Be polite and ignore the idiots. - rollergator
"It's not a Toomer" - Arnold Schwartzenkoph
"Those who know don't talk and those who talk don't know." -Jeff
if you check the previous TR links (as you so eloquently set up the precedent for on the CPlaya100), you'll note that my wife was not present on this trip.
Yeah, I will admit that I'm somewhat high on the whippage content right now, but so what? I'll deal with it, as I quite enjoy the fact that I am truly married to my best friend, and I intend to stay that way.
All,
was I disappointed to not attend the full event? Undoubtedly, but I made the value judgement that my relationship with two people close to me (one being my brother, and the other being a friend I work with every day) was more important to me than catching up with folks whom I had only met up with briefly or merely chatted with on the internet.
I'm truly sorry if that hurts anyone's feelings, but that's the way it is. Besides, like I said in my first post, there's always next year, right?:):):)
Later,
EV
-----
"Everybody has desperate days of quiet questioning.
Everybody has times when they feel like they don't fit in."
- Color Theory, So Many Ways, 2001
Jeez, what's next? You'll say spending time with your kids is more important to you than riding a coaster?
Some people...
Moron.
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Mike Miller - Has been in EV's shoes
I hate my job.
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Ripple Rock Amusement Park
Uh... wait. What band?
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Rob - Jerk/Loser - Standing up for the unfunny and unattractive. - Click here for details
mOOSH
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Holiday cards, All-Occasion cards, 2004 Wood Coaster Calendar now available at S&D Greetings.
*** This post was edited by Mamoosh 10/10/2003 4:18:01 PM ***
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The end of an era has come. Ethyl is no more.
I have had a pretty **** year but if it wasn't for you guys and my family it would be a lot harder to deal with the ****. Things *will* get better. :-) Keep your chin up, hon.
<---hug (and the room goes awwwwww)
Um, now what was more important than coasters? lol. Oh yeah, work. BUT, if it wasn't for that work thing I know a lot of us wouldn't be able to feed our addiction right? :-)
-Tina
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Gimme speed, height, airtime and plenty of LAUNCH!!!
*** This post was edited by coasterqueenTRN 10/10/2003 7:53:06 PM ***
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