On May 17, 2002 Funhog placed Las Palabras Viejas Letterbox near
Espanola, in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico. This letterbox is only a
mile and a half off the main highway between Santa Fe and Taos. It's a
quick stop and a chance to slow down for a few minutes.

to the trailhead: Just south of Velarde on Route 68 turn west on Route
582 toward Lyden. There is a sign at this junction. Soon after you
cross the river, turn right onto Route 59. Shortly, you will come to a
riverside park which appeared to be abandoned when I was here. Exactly
.2 mile past the gate to this park the road gets slightly wider. There
is JUST enough room for a car to pull off to the right and park.

to the letterbox: Walk about 50 yards farther down the road to a wash
filled with dark volcanic rocks. Scramble uphill to a gigantic flat
faced messenger gazing at the river below. To the left of this landmark
is a short row of shady sentinels. The letterbox waits beneath a large
rock leaning against one of these neighbors.