Joshua and Heather Arnold

As told to Madison Garay, co-editor of "The Roadrunner" e-newsletter.

What does Route 66 signify for you?

For me, Route 66 is synonymous with Albuquerque's modern heritage and history; it brought thousands of people through our city by car and foot, and thus continued our legacy as a major transportation hub, dating back to circa 1880 when the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe railroad first arrived.

Bicycle and Route 66 mural. Photo courtesy of Routes Bicycle Tours & Rentals.

In particular, the Mother Road reshaped the architecture and design of our city around the automobile, with the advent of motor courts, colorful signage and buildings drawing travelers in alongside modern amenities like drive-in theaters, drive-through restaurants and classic diners. Route 66 became the heart and soul of Albuquerque for decades — basically until the arrival of the interstates — and it was the place to be. It spanned the city from Old Town and Downtown to Nob Hill and beyond.

Today, Route 66 remains the "spine" of our city, connecting Albuquerque's urban fabric and cultures, so it’s important to preserve and continue that legacy. We see that happening actively today with all of the Centennial efforts. Also, let's not forget that Albuquerque is the only place where Route 66 crosses itself (Central Avenue and Fourth Street Downtown), so it actually connects our city east-west and north-south.

What is one of your favorite spots along Route 66 in Albuquerque?

I love the view of the neon signage, the mountains and the Downtown landscape when you cross the Rio Grande heading east on Route 66. It's such a classic view of the city. I also love seeing the Beach Apartments and El Vado Motel as you continue into the Old Town and west Downtown area. It has such a cool energy.

J.B. Jackson, Albuquerque, NM (The Beach Apartments, arch. Antoine Predock), January 1986. Center for Southwest Research, Pict Colls. PICT 000-866. 000-866-4-F2-06

El Vado Motel, 2024. Photo courtesy of Dominic Valdez.

Describe a memory you have of Route 66.

One of my fondest memories is driving Route 66 in winter when I (Joshua) was dating my now-wife, Heather Arnold, back in 2012. It was getting late, snowing lightly, and very few people were out. Not much was open, as it happened, but we wanted to spend time together. We weren't sure exactly what we wanted to do, so we just decided to wander.

We started at Tramway, the eastern gateway to our city, and drove Route 66 [Central Avenue] west through Albuquerque. We stopped to check out some of the neon signage and historic motels, and, as Albuquerque natives do, we shared fond memories of Central from our childhoods.

The snow wasn't too heavy, but we drove safely and slowly. We kept going through Nob Hill and then Downtown, across the Rio Grande, and then up and out of the Rio Grande Valley all the way to Route 66 Casino. We then turned around and came back into the city, taking time to enjoy one of our favorite views: returning west into Albuquerque from 99th Street (Nine Mile Hill).

Historic postcard of Nine Mile Hill at the western city limits of Albuquerque (c. 1950s).

By that time the snow had stopped, and we could see the whole city laid out in front of us — a beautiful view of city lights and roads that, for both of us, was just so special. To this day, this is one of our favorite "first date" memories together, and it all centered around Route 66.

What are some benefits of walking/biking Route 66? What is one of your favorite parts of the Routes – Route 66 Centennial bicycle tour?

When you bike or walk along Route 66, you are able to slow down and better experience the views, businesses, signage, art and architecture along the Mother Road. Don't get me wrong — driving the Mother Road is amazing too, but it's at a different scale. You can, for example, travel the whole length of the road in a car and compare different areas in a shorter period of time; but things move faster, and you'll inevitably miss many of the "hidden gems" along the route.

Bicyclists on a Routes tour. Photo courtesy of NMTD.

When you walk or bike, you'll actually see more. You can easily check out places like El Vado or the KiMo Theatre without worrying about parking. You'll probably hear music from one of our local concert venues and smell local cuisine cooking along the way. You can better appreciate all the amazing public art and sculpture that surrounds Route 66, including some of the pieces that are difficult to see from a vehicle because they are hidden or easy to miss when you're moving more quickly.

Bicyclists on a Routes tour in front of "Buffalo Return to Route 66" (part of Route 66 Remixed) at El Rey Theatre. Photo courtesy of Routes Bicycle Tours & Rentals.

Routes' Route 66 Centennial Bicycle Tour is designed around these types of experiences, and we think it's a unique way to experience our city and to celebrate the Centennial. We showcase a lot of these hidden gems and the ever-evolving art scene Albuquerque has become known for. Albuquerque was just ranked No. 3 in the country for street art for 2026 by USA Today 10Best!

What’s a birthday wish you have for Route 66 (as it relates to our city, state, or overall)?

Our biggest birthday wish for Route 66 is for it to continue to see investment, redevelopment and recognition as we head into this second century of travel and transportation. I hope to see even more signage and historical markers along the historic routes. I do love the neon gateway sign and West Central Route 66 Visitors Center in Albuquerque. Urban and street art are a huge part of the Route 66 legacy, so continuing to support this through public investment and artist grants is important in Albuquerque, where street art is integral to the city's culture and soul.

I would also like to see even more infrastructure investment and development for bicycles and pedestrians along the route, including rural, small-town areas. That would help draw visitors to businesses and cultural attractions along Route 66 in a modern era that prioritizes walkability, bikeability and a more human scale for urban development.

Routes' office in Old Town Albuquerque. Photo courtesy of Routes Bicycle Tours & Rentals.