When Scott asked me where I wanted to go first in the jeep I instantly knew, the Regency Bridge in San Saba, Texas. We had been to the bridge before on our motorcycles but we have both mentioned wanting to go back.
The drive out to the bridge is a full day and very scenic. Since we were in the jeep Scott added in a few gravel and dirt roads for us. It was as much fun as I thought it would be. Riding a motorcycle is an amazing feeling but it is very hard on the body, especially in the Texas heat. That was not the case in the jeep.
Windows Down
We drove with the windows down part of the time but never took the top or doors off mainly because we had our dog, Twinkie with us and she's still getting used to traveling. As the day heated up and she got hot we decided to enjoy the AC.
Regency Suspension Bridge
The bridge was built in 1939, it crosses the Colorado River and connects county roads 137 and 433. The bridge has a span of 325 feet and a wood surface. An earlier bridge was constructed in 1903 to serve ranchers and farmers going to market, but fell in 1924, killing a boy, a horse, and some cattle. A later bridge was built in 1936 washed away in a flood.
The Regency Bridge was restored in 1997, with then-Governor Bush attending the re-dedication service. This was a major event for the community of around 25 people.
Local teenagers accidentally set the wood surface on fire on December 29, 2003, burning a hole in some planks and causing $20,000 in damage. The bridge was repaired and reopened to traffic in early 2005. After closing in late 2014, the bridge is once again open to traffic.
In 2005, the Regency Bridge became the last suspension bridge in Texas open to automobile traffic.
The Gravel Road
In order to get to the bridge, you do have to go down a gravel road a little over a half-mile. The gravel road was a lot better in the jeep as compared to on my Harley Davidson Softail Deluxe last year!