Indi Lake - A dozen pelicans (that rim of white across the lake) rearing as many young are out on that small spit of a tiny island closeby and I watch them through my binocs as I sit on my blankey in long grass overlooking the lake. Their bills are huuuge - at least 4 feet long.
I have to use my cellphone camera because I lost my USB cord in the big hail storm back at Bonnie Lake. Because of this, unfortunately, my pictures aren't good, nor can I zoom in. I have a Samsung Camera, BIG MISTAKE, because replacing parts is next to impossible, parts are exacting meaning that one can't use a generic cord, and parts cannot be replaced without months of waiting, I've learned. I'm still waiting. And p'd off about it, too.
There is such a strong headwind from the southeast that I can't even coast downhill today - have to pedal instead except for the steep hill down to the south end of Indi Lake here. Ate lunch which was Power drink and energy bar - a cashier told me later that her son said that Power has a lot of sugar in it but Gatorade is not always available - down at the bottom of this beautiful, deep valley, and contemplating the prospective of having to walk back up a mile high hill.
It turns out to be almost 4 miles of continuous climbing uphill out of here in deadly heat - 30 degrees, no clouds, wind cruel and in the face. However, the road leveled out occasionally where I could get back on and ride the bike a bit.
What I have found helpful on these steep, long hills is tacking, almost like a sailboat tacking into the wind. I go a bit to the left, and then let the bike 'fall' back to the right shoulder so that it picks up speed imperceptibly, and I pedal a tiny bit easier and go left again, etc. etc. in the lowest gear possible. I usually get off and walk it as there is no sense straining my heart muscles needlessly. I want to survive this trip so I can talk about. Love to talk.
My text to Josie: 'In Hanley. Same headwinds. Only 20 km in 5 hrs.'
August 1st: In Hanley I had iced tea with 4 ladies in a Chinese restaurant. One of them works in the municipal office so I asked her about Outlook. The TransCanTrail is to go from Hanley to Outlook. She said it was 50 km. to the west of here, on gravel roads and that it would be hard riding on a bicycle as the big trucks throw up a lot of stones. Gravel means not fine, but coarse, of course. As my dog, Benny the Bumpkin says, 'Rough! As far as this lady knew, it was also gravel roads all the way from Outlook to Moose Jaw.
I'm thinking, 'No way! I've had it with the TCT and rough gravelled roads, and especially going back west. I want to go south and east. I like the smooth highways now that I'm getting used to the noise of trucks/traffic on pavement.'
My next text message: 'This hwy. is the old Louis Riel trail. It's still a trail and goes to Moose Jaw, too, so I'm staying on Hwy. ll. The wind is gusting and veering to the southwest although I think it's not quite as strong as earlier. Didn't get any of the text messages from Marjo that you mentioned. Did u get pic of Sue, Michele and Vern? Hi to Luuc and everyone else. Thanks for all your support. luv K.'
Next message: 'I actually left the TCtrail route at Hanley when I didn't go west 50 km. so I guess I'm out of the game now. I'm at Kenaston now. Did only 48 km today but the in-my-face-making-me-want-to-cry wind let up for the last l5 km. It's about l80 to Moose Jaw from here. luv'
The campground in Kenaston is right by the 4-lane highway, behind an arena. I need a beer so badly but am way too tired to go get on the bike again, let alone cycle through the village.
A handsome, 6 ft. as-is-normal-here-on-the-prairies, 30ish man with a trailer next to my site came over and chatted, then asked me if I wanted to come over for some whisky.
I told him no but thanks anyway and he said, "It never fails me".
"It fails me," I replied. "It puts me right on the floor with a terrible pain in my stomach."
He began to ask a lot of personal questions so I told him Harley and his friend had gone over to Outlook to check out the TCTrail and that we would join up either later tonight or tomorrow and that I was waiting for a call from them, but had had to plug in my cell phone to recharge. It was the first time I had had to tell anyone about Harley, but Harley was the name my friend, Jo-Anne, had suggested before I left for this use.
I had forgotten what Harley's friend's name was to be, but next day as I was cycling happily along the highway, I remembered - Joey.
I've also forgotten this fellow's name. He used to be a rodeo rider, as was the guy who works for him who was off at the bar having that beer I needed.
He said he is from Alberta & installs fence posts for the ranchers.
It's so noisy here beside the highway. A Kenaston nt.'
The next morning I had a badly needed shower. Hadn't wanted to the night before because there are no windows in there, and the light switch was right by the door. I had seen a 1960's big square Ford come by, windows wide open (no air conditioning back then in cars, I guess), 4 big adults laughing, as I was pitching the tent. They drove up to the washrooms, got out and were quite a while before driving away again. I guessed that they were poor and had their own daily showers here.
Next morning, I decided to have that shower, but took my bikelight and my bearspray with me. I kept it close.
After my shower, a woman came in and chatted. She might have weighed 80 lbs. and it seems she spoke with a French accent. Now I recognize her as having been in the other car that had driven around last night, which had also made me nervous. Of course, she and her mate are the superintendents of the park and she was here to clean the washroom, too.
She admired my tan and I pointed out how uneven it is from my cycling clothes.
She replied, "Oh, its great to be a pinto!"
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