Bomansville to Mt. Joy, Pennsylvania – July 17, 2017

Tailgating the Amish (Quickly Outpaced)

As is my custom, I broke camp and started cycling just after six o’clock. Needing food, I cycled six miles up the road to Reamstown and had a big breakfast at a family-style restaurant.
Today, I would bicycle through Amish country. Corn grew everywhere. Women in simple dresses and men with beards and suspenders were the rule rather than the exception. Almost all greeted me with a kind “Hello!” when I passed.

Tobacco? (Reader Confirm)

Corn Cycle

Adults were hard at work setting up roadside stands in the early hours of the day. Industrious! Children were outside, playing by their respective homes. Some pitched in to help. Laundry hung from long clotheslines, ready for the sun and light breeze the day would bring. There were few cars to be seen. I felt a strong pull toward this seemingly idyllic lifestyle.

Having cycled for twenty-five miles by noon, I hunkered down in Manheim’s public library. The stay lasted longer than I had planned; the sky opened up around 12:30 and was followed by lightning. I used the time to read and write. The chair I secured was quite comfortable.

Camp (Corner of Cornfield) - Mt. Joy, Pennsylvania

Later in the afternoon, I grabbed a Subway sandwich and cycled six more miles to Mt. Joy. I found a camping spot situated between a corn and baseball field. I took my bottle shower and climbed in the tent.

In regards to camping, I like being out in these quiet areas best.

Side Note: I am curious as to the type of animal that is munching on something in the corn next to my tent.