Motorcycling back in time in historic Granbury

It’s time to ride.

It’s time to ride.

Scott Baker

Wanting to get some asphalt underneath our tires and escape our busy (retirement) schedules, the RR Motorcycle Club hit the road traveling to Granbury, known as the jewel of the Brazos River Valley. Founded in 1866, it has a lot of history to share, making it the perfect weekend get-away.

The town’s motto is “where Texas history lives” and for good reason. For years, it was the end-of-the-line for the Fort Worth and Rio Grande Railway. It’s also where many infamous characters ended up, including Jessie James, Carrie Nation, John Wilkes Booth and Bonnie and Clyde.

Arriving in town, we were immediately struck by its quaintness and historic charm. Granbury is home to the most historic courthouse square in Texas, making for excellent shopping with unique boutiques and specialty shops and plenty of bistros, restaurants and wineries to choose from when it came time to refuel.

After strolling around the square, we checked into a local hotel situated on the banks of Lake Granbury for our overnight stay. For dinner we visited Farina’s Winery and Café featuring an expansive menu ranging from artisan cheeses, soups, salads, sandwiches, pizzas, pastas and steaks.

Afterwards we attended a performance of the musical Grease at the Historic Granbury Opera House. We took a step back 130 years and experienced what it was like to watch live theater in a small Texas town in the late 1800s. Originally built in 1886, the Opera House has been painstakingly renovated to the period, boasting elaborate, imported chandeliers, elegant twin curved staircases, the original limestone walls, filigree iron balcony railings, pressed-tin-inspired acoustic ceiling tiles and an intimate seating arrangement.

Although Granbury was just a short distance away, motorcycling is all about the camaraderie and enjoying the two- (or three-) wheeled bond with friends. When riding well and enjoying the road, at that moment all is right with the world. Come join the RR Motorcycle Club on our breakfast, lunch and dinner rides or pack a saddlebag for two- to five-day excursions. For more information, contact Mike Conley, Dennis Dotson, Scott Baker or Stan Brein.