 After trekking across the high desert of Wyoming along the Overland Trail, finally seeing the North Platte River was a very welcome but daunting sight. The Overland Trail, which crosses southern Wyoming, was used for many purposes during the pioneer days, including a stage route, mail route, and safe migration route during conflicts on the Oregon Trail. After passing the snowy range, the trail crosses the North Platte River. This crossing was well known to travelers with many leaving their names carved into the cliffs above the crossing. These names provide amazing insight into the history of those that braved the treacherous crossing. A ferry system comprised of ropes, pulleys, and a barge was used to move wagons across the river at a price of $5 per wagon. The wait to use the crossing was often long and may have been the reason people started carving their names into the cliffs to pass the time. The ferry system was not always reliable and in one instance was reported to have failed, setting the barge free downstream. Next time you drive over the North Platte, consider what a time-consuming, expensive, and dangerous venture it used to be. From the University of Wyoming Extension, I'm Mae Smith, Exploring the Nature of Wyoming.