Page:Appleton's Guide to Mexico.djvu/274

246

Leaving Saltillo, the railroad traverses a fertile valley, in which wheat, barley, and maize are cultivated. The views along the route are beautiful. The first station is Capellania (8 miles). Passing the hamlets of Ojo Caliente (18•4 miles) and Los Muertos (24•5 miles), we reach Rinconada (31•1 miles). Here the altitude is 3,316 feet, or 1,888 feet lower than Saltillo. There is a large ranch near the station. The track of the Mexican National Railway leaves the broad cañon near Rinconada. The grade now descends rapidly, and the scenery becomes magnificent. The walls of the valley are formed of steep, rocky ridges with serrated outlines. The next stop is made at Garcia (46•8 miles), elevation, 2,465 feet. The next station is Santa Catarina (59-8 miles). This village has a population of about 1,500. There is a great deal of mesquite and nopal growing in the vicinity. The famous potrero is about four miles distant. It is a pasture which is reached by a winding cañon intersecting the south side of the lofty and rocky sierra. The scenery is very picturesque. The limestone has been shaped into pinnacles, domes, and towers. In fact, it reminds the traveler of a miniature Yosemite. A very pleasant excursion from Monterey would be. to take the morning train to Santa Catarina, visit the potrero on horseback or on foot, and return to the city by the evening train. The wagon-road passes Independence Hill, a few miles beyond Santa Catarina. It is an artificial mound about 150 feet high, with two wooden crosses on the summit, erected to the memory of the heroes who fell at the battle of Monterey in 1847. There was considerable fighting in this region during the Mexican War. Among other soldiers who fought here and have since become famous, may be mentioned General William T. Sherman, who was then a lieutenant in the United States Army.