Finnegan Ferry

Finnegan Ferry

Once across the mighty Bow River the blacktop returns, in a couple minutes the Trans-Canada highway is crossed and the Finnegan Ferry is within 75 kms. Finnegan Ferry crosses the Red Deer River on secondary highway 862 in Alberta's Special Area #2.The white line turns to gravel/mud for the last 15kms. More rain here than near Crowfoot made for greasy driving. 

You might ask? What is a Special Area? Some might think it is where former Premier, known by some as "Special" Ed Stelmack was from, that is incorrect. Special Ed supposedly lead the Alberta Government from 2006 to 2011 and hails from Vegreville. 

The three special areas were created in 1938 under the authority of the Special Areas Act.  A result of extreme hardship inflicted upon southeastern Alberta (and a lot of Saskatchewan) by Dirty/Hungry Thirties conditions simliar to those experienced in Oklahoma and Kansas. 

Red Deer Advocate

These dustbowl conditions were caused by inappropriate farming practices encouraged by stupid governments (I guess that goes without saying).

These dust storms lasted into the 1940's when wetter weather returned. The Banks took most of the failed farms and they eventually ended up in government hands. Today farming practices are better in these areas, with a few large farmers working several townships(36 square miles) each.

  The Special Areas cover about 2.1 Million acres (about 4% of Alberta), In 1920 there were over 50,000 residents, today about 10,000. A true wilderness on the prairie.

Highway 862 follows a coulee down to the ferry terminal at the Red Deer River. We are greeted by flashy signs and a door bell on a post to call the Ferryman. 

Finnegan Ferry Operator

A gentleman emerges from the Ferry Keepers residence and gets on his quad to drive the 25m to the ferry dock. He did get off to lower gates and run the equipment. To be fair, the old boy is at least my age, and I didn't walk on board either. He tells me of previous trips to the Calgary Stampede where he helped with Rodeo and 100th Anniversary in 2012. Would no doubt be a pleasure to tip a few pints with him and hear his story.

Red Deer River at Finnegan Ferry Dock

The river is flat and calm like the couple of times in the 1990's that I did beer float canoe trips with friends and our young families. Fond memories of floating in the river with the lifejackets.... Again the ferry time is far less than 5 minutes, as close to instant ferry gratification as one can get. The Ferryman said the day before in the storm there were whitecaps on the river.

From the ferry landing its about 75kms to Drumheller, heart of the Alberta badlands. Of that 10kms or so of mud/gravel are navigated to where 862 intersects secondary Highway 570 and more blacktop is found. From Drumheller its about 20kms further to the Bleriot Ferry landing.

Pronghorn Antelope

Pronghorn Antelope are seen crossing the road in a couple places and of course awesome clouds are ever present. Antelopes are members of the goat family, not true antelopes(whatever that may be). These creatures weigh up to 150 pounds and can run at 100kms/hr. Not quite as fast as a cheetah but can keep it up much longer. Fascinating inhabitants of this wilderness

 

Highway 10 

Highway 570 travels west to intersect Highway 10 near East Coulee. The transition from flat travel on the plains of Highway 570 to the Red Deer River badlands on Highway 10 in the river valley is incredibly dramatic!

Another out of service grain elevator

Bridge over Red Deer near East Coulee

Sandstones sculpted by eons of the flow of water and wind dominate the landscape. 

Surrounded by spectacular vistas of the Red Deer River and Hoodoos.

Kirkpatrick Elevator

At Drumheller the van is fueled up, delicious vietnamese cusine is enjoyed at the Vietnamese Noodle House Drumheller, highly recommended.

Orkney Lookout East

From Drumheller the Dinosaur Trail (Highway 575) is taken west to the Bleriot Ferry. 

On the way the grain elevator at Kirkpatrick provides a beacon on the trail. Then Highway 575 ascends out of the valley to the Orkney Lookout which provides a spectacular oversite of the sandstone formations carved in the river valley. 

Orkney Lookout west

A  couple more derelict buildings signal the turn onto the ferry access road followed by a steep descent to the Bleriot Ferry landing, and the second crossing of the Red Deer.