Route 66 In New Mexico

Above, the main lobby of the El Rancho Hotel in Gallup, which is featured on the Route 66 guide. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One of these days, I am going to take a road trip on Route 66 through New Mexico. I have been on "bits and pieces" of Route 66, but I haven't traveled extensively along the route.

There is a guide to what can be seen along the historic route, Route66Guide.com.

Above, the Route 66 sign in Church Rock, New Mexico. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

On the New Mexico portion of Route 66, it begins with:

Surprising New Mexico. Land of extremes and contrasts, capped by high mountains and home to extensive desert plateaus, small towns and large megacities, blending of Indian, Spanish and Mexican traditions, a territory of savory specialties and craft that Route 66 covers end-to-end over 400 miles. 

The considerably high mountain ranges forced Route 66 engineers to perform civil engineering feats. For travelers of the early twentieth century, some mountain passes in New Mexico became legendary and feared by motorists, who often found themselves stranded, abandoned by the stuttering engine of their cars - not as tough as the travelers themselves! 

Still today, cautious motorists - whether driving 4x4 vehicles or not - renounce to follow certain Route 66 sections, especially under heavy rains (e.g., from Texas, entering New Mexico through Glenrio, it is highly advisable to back up and head over to Interstate I-40). 

Historic land, colonized by the Spanish from the seventeenth century, it contains many ruins of previous civilizations. New Mexico combines their records and hosts many of the oldest buildings on the continent and / or country, especially in Santa Fe, the state capital, perched off the Interstate at over 7,000 ft. elevation. It is the oldest city in the West, which houses the oldest house (about 1200) and oldest church (1625) in the country, among other notable buildings classified as historic sites.

To read more, go here.