44 GALISTEO.—LOS CERRITOS. 
to graze somewhere in the neighborhood during the winter, from which it may be inferred that 
a moderate climate, with little snow, characterizes this region. 
October 1.—Our party was again divided ; one portion carrying on the survey direct to Albu- 
querque, while another procesded to make acáminstióla towards Galisteo. 
‘For two or three miles the latter route passed over an undulating country, and then led to a 
ravine, which conducted us for several miles in a straight course, along a descent inappreciable 
to the eye. An adobe house indicated permanent water near, and the name ** Cañon Co- 
manche”” suggested a reason why the building was tenantless. Passing three trifling spurs, we — — 
traversed pleasant valleys among mesa heights to the head of a branch of Rio Galisteo. The `" 
stream at this place threads a narrow gorge, the road passing over a small rocky ridge fifty 
feet high. Descending, we crossed the brook, a few feet wide, and followed its bank. Apr 
ing to the Mexicans, it is five leagues from the crossing to Galiatdo: Pursuing the valley three 
or four miles beyond, another branch coming from the left united with the former, making a 
good-sized stream, but so sluggish that* its current was scarcely perceptible. At the junction 
of the creeks the country spreads out into extensive prairies, nearly enclosed by distant hills. 
We now saw the Gold mountains, west; the Santa Fé mountains, north; and towards the 
northwest the distant range of the Única: mountains beyond Rio del Norte. Continuing along 
the wide valley, we came to a much larger affluent which was called Arroyo de la Xara, coming 
from the northeast. The distance between its bluff banks was from one hundred to one hun- . 
dred and fifty feet, and a wide open valley. and to extend uninterruptedly in a westerly 
course to the Rio del Norte. The lofty mou 3 beyond that river i» = in bold relief 
before us, not a hill intervening. Crossing a n 
which were the brown adobe walls and white j 
Rio de Galisteo, proceeding from the north, washes the foot of of the town, dii soon after unites 
with Arroyo de la Xara on its course to ae del Norte. We encamped : near the plaza, and were 
soon after visited by Major Weightman and J udge Barra, direct from Albuquerque, on their 
way to the county court at San Miguel. 
The country traversed to-day dame ce be an e plain; but by Ge Dirva- 
. tions, we find ourselves seven hundred feet bel w La Laguna. The distance is estimated at 
twenty-eight miles. Grass and water were abundant, but there was scarcely a tree to be seen 
along the road. Judge Baird says, that in the cañon from San Antonio to Albuquerque, 
through which he has just passed, there are beds of good. coal. Timber is abundant Eus the 
mountains. E S d 
The long storm which commenced on our P eiu at ‘Aston Chico bas entirely. passed away. 
The evening is calm and mild, the sky cloudless, and, as s usual in this climate, me fre- 
quently shoot across the heavens, leaving b PES 
October 2.—Having despatched a messenger to Santa Fé with an official letter for ibo mal, | 
we took leave of Galisteo. The main road to Albuque 
ae Ton the gold mines, San SE d 
high prairie, anid for four or five Se purs 
turning north 75° west, we continued fifte 
Cerritos, from the Sal rounded hills su: 
from the grauia, and eae a perpetual e basir 
‘of an | olcano, Maka dii rod forks, 
and the one to the left, which Si desire to take, i is said to be impassable from some temporary ` 
cause. The other is very rough and more circuitous, it being five les by it to San Do- ` 
mingo. Therefore, as we could not accomplish the march before dark, best to 
git $ S 
Kaze e 
ha 
