Day 2

We rolled our bikes down that dirt mound. Aside from wearing flip flops, it actually wasn't that bad. So the bike trail doesn't go any further, and we have to start taking back country roads. We picked up a map at a small garage, and got directions to a decent route from the mechanics. The days ride took us about 4 miles east of Reading.

We stopped where the highway inclined steadily and out of view. It was strip mall hell. There was no place to pitch a tent and camp for the night at all. So we decided we'd have to urban camp it. There was an abandoned building, looked like it had once been a grocery store with an overhang large front patio that could fit shopping carts. There was 2 parking lots, the furthest back being chained off to motorists and at the far end littered with industrial trash. Broken pallets, sheet metal, old shopping racks etc. It was perfect to just set up sleeping bags. So we cooked pasta with the camping stove George brought and ate dinner. George and I were starting to feel the reality of being on tour, apparently he had never really camped before and it was a serious reality check for him. So we just sat around for a while talking, trying to mentally ready ourselves and going over our goals and fears about this trip. After a long talk we felt really good about everything and we were pumped to wake up the next morning and get back on the road. And that's when it started to rain-no; pour. So we quickly packed up everything and ran over to the overhang of the abandoned grocery store. Conveniently there were two wooden benches side by side in the front. So we unrolled our sleeping bags and watched the thunder and lightning storm until we fell asleep.