1. Home
  2. Blog
  3. Recent Blog Posts
  4. Before Backpacking Adventure: Hershey’s Chocolate World & Knoebels Amusement Resort

Before Backpacking Adventure: Hershey’s Chocolate World & Knoebels Amusement Resort

Blog Date
Author(s)
Julie Smith
Stuart O. Smith, Jr.
Tags
Travel
Trails
Hike
Backpacking
Pennsylvania
Amusement Park

The two blog posts we are publishing today were delayed due to some family issues that we have been dealing with recently, but we still wanted to share them to celebrate the good times we had traveling. After reading this blog post about traveling to drop Stuart off for his month-and-a-half-long Appalachian Trail adventure, please also read:

The big significance of this blog post is that it is about the first time we have been in restaurants and out in the world since we had to limit in-person social interaction during the COVID-19 pandemic.  (See our Social Distancing series of blog posts for 2020/2021 to learn about some of the activities we were able to participate in during the worldwide coronavirus outbreak.)

This blog post consists of our @sos_jr tweets and retweets with photos and videos from our trip. Please share any photos and videos that you find interesting by retweeting them.

 

Friday, April 30, 2021 - Hershey’s Chocolate World!

Friday, April 30, 2021 - Hershey’s Chocolate World!
Enlarge Image

The 4D Chocolate Movie puts you inside all the fun. Through stunning digital animation and special effects*, you become part of the show by interacting with the Hershey's Characters to help solve the mystery! . . . Increased safety measures include reduced capacity to maintain distance, plus thorough cleanings between groups.

Follow cocoa beans on a delicious journey in this immersive and FREE chocolate making tour. See, feel, hear and smell the transformation of cocoa beans to HERSHEY'S famous chocolate on this fun tour. Then, enjoy a complimentary Hershey's product sample at the end!

We've re-opened our popular attraction, Hershey's Unwrapped, with changes to keep you sweet and safe. . . . Unwrap and taste your way through the tale of HERSHEY'S Chocolate with a theatrical experience the whole family will enjoy! From the bean to bar and everything in between, this attraction is sure to dazzle your taste buds, fill you with laughter and sweeten you with Hershey heartwarming moments.

This was our first big outing since receiving our COVID-19 vaccinations. The three attractions that we went to were adapted to encourage social distancing, but this was still the first time being around so many people in an inside venue. It actually felt kind of strange. Everyone was required to wear masks in all areas of the Hershey’s Chocolate World building.

It was very appropriate that we started our journey toward Stuart's starting point on the Appalachian Trail at this "sweet" place, since he has often visited Hershey’s Chocolate World as part of his many previous backpacking trips on the A.T. in Pennsylvania. A chocolate treat goes perfectly with backpacking.

\

 

 

 

 

 

Friday, April 30, 2021 - First Dinners Out

Going out to dinner felt like a new experience after a year and a half!

 

 

Saturday, May 1, 2021 - "a new month full of possibilities!"

 

 

Saturday, May 1, 2021 - Knoebels Amusement Resort

Saturday, May 1, 2021 - Julie rides the Grand Carousel at Knoebels Amusement Resort
Enlarge Image

America's Largest Free-Admission Amusement Park

Make new memories the old fashioned way with classic rollercoasters, kid-friendly rides, swimming, camping, golf and attractions for the whole family! Located in Central Pennsylvania's Susquehanna River Valley.

Knoebels Carousel Museum features over 50 carousel figures, scenery panels, chariot sides and other memorabilia from carousels dating back to 1870! Take a walk through our museum and get a glimpse of the history of carousels.

Since Julie and our son, Kevin F. Smith, are on the Board of Euclid Beach Park Now, we knew we had to visit Knoebels Amusement Resort. Similar to Cleveland's Euclid Beach Park, which closed in 1969, Knoebels is a free-admission amusement park. While it is free to enter the park, visitors can purchase individual ride tickets or an all-day wristband. Also, since Julie volunteers as a ride attendant at the restored Euclid Beach Park Grand Carousel at the Cleveland History Center, it was a special treat to see the Knoebels Carousel Museum.

 

 

Sunday, May 2, 2021 - Retweet of February Fortune Cookie “A vigorous hike . . "

Stuart remembered his recent fortune cookie recommending “A vigorous hike and fresh air," so he shared it again. It seemed appropriate before leaving on his longest backpacking trip on the Appalachian Trail since he started section hiking the trail nine years ago.

 

 

Sunday, May 2, 2021 - Appalachian Trail starting today!

Overseeing the management and conservation of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail since 1925.

The mission of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy is to protect, manage, and advocate for the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.

“Remote for detachment, narrow for chosen company, winding for leisure, lonely for contemplation, the Appalachian Trail beckons not merely north and south, but upward to the body, mind, and soul of man”
[Harold Allen, 1936]

The start of Stuart's month-and-a-half-long adventure:

 

 

Tuesday, June 15, 2021 through Monday, June 21, 2021 - See "After Backpacking Adventure . . . " blog post for more

Please read the second of these two blog posts to learn about how we spent a week exploring in mid-June 2021:

 

 

Related Blog Posts

We always like to end our posts with a list of related blog posts, so you can learn about the venues we enjoyed exploring. Here are our "Travel" blog posts:

Please read our "Social Distancing" blog posts to learn about the activities we participated in from March 2020 through April 2021 .

We visited Knoebels Amusement Resort due to its connection to Euclid Beach Amusement Park. See our three "Euclid Beach Park" blog posts to learn more. We especially recommend:

Thank you for reading our blog post to learn about our journeys and the venues we explore in Cleveland and Akron at: sosAssociates.com/Blog