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[[underlined]]Cottonwoods to Halls Ranch[[/underlined]]

[[underlined]]Aug. 29[[/underlined]]. Started early and traveled toward Guadalupe Peak all day & camped at 6 P.M. at or near a part of the Hall ranch some 15 miles east of the peak. Came 30 miles, passed but one ranch - the Smith ranch 5 miles back from where we camped & at the edge of the gypsum country. Here we struck sandstone, clean soil, & good rain water in rock tanks. We passed several windmills on the way but the water was saturated with gypsum & scarcely drinkable. Saw dozens of big caves that go back into the gypsum rock from big sink holes in the ground. Went into several of them for long distances but found only wet walls & muddy bottoms & water standing in pot holes. Heavy rains flood them & prevent any thing from living in them.

The sandstone country gives beautiful grassy valleys with flat topped buttes & ridges between. Grama & other fine grasses are knee high & headed out.