Independence Rock

Tonight we are in Orem, Utah, having driven further than previously planned as I wanted to visit Segway of Utah in Spanish Fork (abt. 10 mi south of here) while passing through and knew that they wouldn't be open on Sunday.
This morning while on Wyoming Rt. 220 SW of Casper we happened on Independence Rock and stopped to explore & take pictures.Independence Rock is one of the most famous landmarks on the Oregon Trail. Emigrants wanted to reach the rock by the Fourth of July to ensure passage over the western mountain ranges before winter snows.
Many theories vary about naming the rock but most versions originate with events that happened on the Fourth of July.
William Sublette, an early mountain guide, is credited with christening it in honor of our nation’s birthdate on July 4th, 1830. One version was based on the Rock standing independent from the other rock formations on the plains.
Explorer John Frémont wrote in 1842 upon visiting the Rock, “…the rock is inscribed with…many a name famous in the history of this country…are to be found among those of traders and travelers…some of these have been washed away by the rain, but the greater number are still very legible.”
Names were sometimes painted with ordinary paint, wagon tar or with a mixture of black powder, buffalo grease and glue. Others were carved into the hard stone with tools carried for wagon repairs. Mormons stationed professional stonecutters at the rock to engrave names for one to five dollars a name. Few names remain today as lichen, weather and time are eroding them away.