This is the day I would have gone with all of Lewisburg’s fifth grade teachers and students to Knoebels for a field trip, so today’s post is a trip down memory lane.
When I started teaching fourth grade in Lewisburg in February 1994, we were new to the area, childless, and hadn’t explored much. When my students repeatedly mentioned Knoebels as part of their summer plans, I asked, “What’s Knoebels?”
“What’s Knoebels?!?!” They couldn’t believe a teacher could be so clueless. Could they even trust that 7 times 8 was 56? What kind of bozo had Lewisburg hired to finish out the year? Geez.
Obviously, I had some research to do, and Knoebels has been part of our summer bucket list every year since. What’s the appeal? For Phil, that’s easy – free parking, no admission fee, and affordable rides and food. For the rest of us, it is something else that is hard to define, but has something to do with tradition and familiarity – the same rides, food, and manageable layout as always. We eagerly await a future when we are well out of the corona woods, and can return to the woods of Elysburg instead.
In normal years, I would have come home on this day dog-tired, with a patina of Knoebels grime, but completely satisfied that, finally, summer had arrived. I would look forward to the few remaining days of school, and the closure they would provide. I would have washed up, we would have ordered dinner out, and then eaten on the patio.
Instead, today, I said a tearful goodbye to my class via Zoom, and wandered aimlessly around the house the rest of the day while it rained.
We will have more days at Knoebels. Until then, let’s remember the good times! What do you love most about Knoebels?
My husband and I also like the free parking, free admission and free entertainment. Our favorite entertainment each year is to see the Mahoney Brothers. I enjoy reading your post as always.
We know people whose friends were visiting from Europe. Of everything they did and saw in the United States on their visit, Knoebels was their favorite!