Outgoing correspondence from Robert Ridgway, September 1, 1867

              u.s geological exploration of 40th parallel camp 17 banks of humboldt river september 1st 1867 my dear father i believe i have not written to you yet and so i have concluded to let you know of my whereabouts and give you a short account of the way i enjoy myself we have been in our present camp but three days and this being the sabbath i have seized upon the first opportunity i have had of writing home i have only the same old excuse to offer one which i am afraid will have to answer many times more viz actual want of a favorable opportunity i spoke in my last of a proposed trip to pyramid lake from camp 12 well we left camp at 2 o-clock on the afternoon of august mr parker indian superintendant mr o'sullivan photographer and myself forming the party our boat was a very good fair-vaned batteaux, 21 feet in length hoisting the geological flag in the stern we shoved off and away we went on a 4 mile current our boat was well loaded with guns ammunition cooking-utensils photographic instruments a collecting chest water cask blankets c in fact every thing necessary for a couple of weeks trip away we went often having to use all our energy to paddle clear of