to Heinsberg, AB

July 21: Left Whitney Park at noon after writing in my journal for ages.

Headwinds are so strong today that I have to stop cycling whenever a bigrig goes by. If I don't, it blows me and the bike right off into the deep gravel, where I can't keep control of the heavy bike.

Only 5 miles down the road is a little blue house which a 66 yr. old woman from Cornwall, ON (Finch, actually) now uses as a little restaurant beside the highway. Had lunch, and she let me plug in my dead cellphone.
Her name is Betty Tracey, and I promise to get a picture of Finch for her, where her family home was, next time I go up to Ottawa to see Josie.
Bill, her partner, fixed the kickstand for me when he heard me joking about finding a post to lean it against.

Make it to Heinsburg, on the river, and down, down a long dirt road - coasting, coasting for 2 miles among cool trees all the way down. No need to pedal. Sweet! Extraordinary! There's a gigantic wooden CNR railway water tower. Only one left now in Alberta according to sign. Many homes here seem to be empty. N.Sask.R. again so that means a big, steep climb out of here tomorrow morning.

Inspiring trip thus far. Warm now, too. Last night there was no great amount of condensation on the tent so it may not have been so cold and, besides, I'm getting used to camping. I may have to leave the trail here, too. There's a gate in front of the TCTrail here in Heinsberg with a sign saying closed because of the cattle! Free camping here, it seems.

"Heinsburg: CNR water tower, caboose and line car"

The following text messages are from me:
"Hi Josie and ME. I'm camping free at Heinsburg. Super said there's a store at Tulliby so I'm heading out early to avoid heat. Heard it was 40 in Toronto today. How's Ottawa, Josie? Tulliby is the last Alberta burg on my list. Then Sask. The Iron Horse ended at Heinsburg by the park. Sign on trail actually means for you to close the gate after you leave/enter. lv"
"T ME n Jo. What day is it? I'm right in the village of Heinsburg. Another couple are camping by the river. I didn't know I could pitch there. A right-of-way trails down to the river but I'm afraid to try swimming in case there's a strong current. Hills get smaller, right? from now on"
"No condensation nor cold last night and tonight. Warmer!"