ARROYO HONDO'S NAME IMPLIES A DEEP VALLEY CARVED INTO THE TAOS PLATEAU BY THE RIO HONDO RIVER DESCENDING TO THE RIO GRANDE FROM THE SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS.
THIS WELL FERTILED LAND ALONG THE BOTTOM BROUGHT HISPANIC SETTLERS IN THE EARLY 19TH CENTURY. IN 1815, NERIO SISNEROS AND 42 OTHERS PETITIONED FOR A LAND GRANT AND IT WAS APPROVED. THE COMMUNITY THEY CREATED STILL SURVIVES. TEWA INDIANS CALLED THE ARROYO BY THE NAME, CICADO ARROYO, MEANING WATER. REFERENCE MATERIAL FROM ROBERT JULYAN'S BOOK, THE PLACE NAMES OF NEW MEXICO.
SPIRIT CACHES ARE A SERIES PLACED AT OR NEAR NM CEMETERIES IN HOPES OF PAYING RESPECT TO THE PIONEER ANCESTORS HAVING "GONE" ON BEFORE US, AND, POSSIBLY PICKING UP A BIT OF HISTORY ON THE AREA.