Independence

Yesterday Rick, Katie, and I took a drive out to Casper. We stopped at a few places along the way that were once a stopping place for the people traveling the Oregon Trail, to their new home in the West.

Here are a few pictures from our trip.

Not a great picture, but have you ever seen a Badger in the wild??
Independence Rock. The pioneers who came to the West had to get here by Independence Day, and then they knew they would make it to their destination before the first snow. Many who came were the first to graffiti on this rock. They used stone cutters, wheel grease, etc. On the top of the rock there are many engravings from the 1800's. The Copsey's who came in 1856 didn't sign the rock, but we imagine Great-Great Grandpa John was climbing all over it at 12 years old.

This is Independence Rock from afar.

Katie didn't even want to get out of the car, but when she saw she could climb up the rock she begged. Daddy and her went to the top and they were awestruck by the amount of people who engraved their names. I was awestruck that a 2 1/2 year old would climb over 100 feet up a rock, and like it!!!

Still Climbing.... Mommy can't watch anymore. I went for a walk around the rock.

These cheaters came in a car. Signed it anyway though.

I don't know what year this was I'm guessing 1896. But maybe you think differently. Let me know. The signatures on top are much clearer. If you want to see them then come visit us and we'll take you.

We went to the National Historical Trails Interpretive Center in Casper, Wy. It gave the story of the Oregon Trail, Mormon Trail, California Trail, and the Pony Express. The four trails converged in Casper. It was amazing to think of the hardship these people endured to make a better life. If it had been me I would have made where I was work. The center was a great way to bring the sights we saw together, and to understand the history behind the sights. The state of Wyoming has gone to great lengths to make sure the history of these people is protected for all to experience. It is pretty humbling to see what our forefathers did to give future generations a better life.

Out in the parking lot this antelope was relaxing so I had to get a picture. Out on the prairie this would be an impossible picture to get. Especially this close!

Katie did great on the drive. She is a trooper!!! She really loves wind. Thank goodness as it blows awfully hard here!

Devils Gate is where the Sweetwater River cut through the rock. Incidentally the Sweetwater River is named because of the sweet taste of the water. The water has a low level of Alkali in it, not enough to harm anyone but enough to make the water sweet. Anyway, I digress, the Devil's gate is just west of Independence Rock where the pioneers stayed for the night. It is gorgeous and if I was a pioneer I would think of stopping and setting up camp. It is called Devil's gate because of Indian Folklore, but I don't want to tell you because; one, I don't know it exactly enough to type; two, because you should read about it when you visit, I don't want to tell you everything; and three, I have enough to tell you, you don't want to fall asleep from boredom do you?!?!?

The Pioneers came through here from Independence Rock which is only about two or three miles east.

They came around the hill on the right to the this side of Devil's Gate, and rested. How cool would this spot be to camp in?!?!

That's all for the educational portion of this post. Now for a couple Katie pictures. She was obsessed with picking grass while we were at Devils Gate.

HOW CUTE IS THIS KID!!!!

Thanks for visiting the blog, I really enjoy keeping you all up to date!!!
Love
Amy