a letter of complaint to the state of wyoming and the creators of the computer game "oregon trail" re:Independence Rock

let me start off by saying, i went out of my way to see you. i could have stuck to the interstate, but visions of my childhood beckoned me to something i had once only known in pixelated version. i read the words "independence rock" on the map and instantly i recognized it-- midway between start and finish, do you want to ford the river, all members of your party have died except you, you ANNA ROCKS, you have made it to Independence Rock, Wyoming (which, also, i'm not sure was actually called Independence when people were passing it circa 1840).










well, for your information, I PASSED IT. because, when you're driving through the mountains, you don't generally notice big rocks as unusual unless there's a sign saying otherwise. which there wasn't. unless you count the sign that said "Rest Area"; however, it seems illogical that a monument so integral to our country's heritage should be overshadowed by public toilets and sleeping truckers. in your defense, i know you had signs, but only on one side of the highway, which doesn't help half of the people on the road.


i guess i should thank the parks dept of wyoming for creating such a nicely paved walkway to the stupid rock, directly through a cattle ranch. while it is novel to walk within charging distance of multiple full grown bulls, it is also unnerving. especially when you show up by yourself in the middle of a sunday. i'm just glad i brought my phone with me. you know, in case of a stampede.

also, here's another one of my favorite sidenotes:

because if you leave the gate open, then the cows will definitely try to climb it.


oh, wait. how could they? it's covered in snow and has smooth faces which appear insurmountable. and while i admit that i didn't walk around the entire big rock, i cannot understand how people climbed to the top to write there names on it. i specifically remember a little boy wearing a blue shirt on the game saying "I climbed to the top of the rock to carve my name..." And THAT'S ANOTHER THING, i only saw like 6 names on it, not hundreds of years worth.
also, you warned against vandalism. this seems hypocritical. it's okay for them to do it but not us? seriously.
finally, this is my last and only semi-serious issue: this is the gate i had to pass through


and my serious question is, do you have to be that skinny to enter? cause it's not like the rock's going to sink of you let some bigger people on it. if they can even get on it. not because they are big, but because the rock seems like it is un-climable. i dunno. think about it.

all in all, you should really let triple A know to warn people not to get their hopes up. the rock is neither pixelated nor is it surrounded by conestoga wagons. i would have liked to have known that prior to my trip.

sincerely, anna