[R-sig-Geo] file format error with R and GRASS61

[Kirk R. Wythers]

I am trying to figure out an GDAL error message about grass file not  
being a supported format. The message is:

 > gmeta6 <- gmeta6()
 > fname <- paste(gmeta6$GISDBASE, gmeta6$LOCATION_NAME,
+ "PERMANENT", "cellhd", "soils.ph",
+ sep="/")
 > soilsph_GDAL <- read.GDAL(fname)
Error in .local(.Object, ...) :
         GDAL Error 4: `~/grassdata/spearfish60/PERMANENT/cellhd/ 
soils.ph' not recognised as a supported file format.

This is on grass61 and R 2.2.1 using the spearfish60 location

Thanks in advance for any ideas