Christi Buratti, Realtor

02/11/2026

About time!

The Texas Water Development Board has officially approved the 2026 Regional Water Plans, marking the completion of the sixth regional planning cycle. 🎉

This collaborative process has resulted in greater public participation, education, and awareness, underscoring the benefits of directly involving local and regional decision makers and the public in shaping Texas’ water future.

The approved regional plans form the foundation for the 2027 State Water Plan and the basis for the 2026 SWIFT funding cycle.

📄 Check out the full 2026 Regional Water Plans:
🔗 https://www.twdb.texas.gov/waterplanning/rwp/plans/2026/index.asp

📊 Explore the data with the interactive site:
🔗 https://2027.texasstatewaterplan.org/

10/20/2025

lol. Sometimes it feels like this.

03/31/2025

Next visit to that area will require checking this out.

Ever heard of Bankersmith, Texas? This tiny Hill Country ghost town, halfway between Fredericksburg and Comfort, is a time capsule with a twist. Founded in 1913 as a train stop on the San Antonio, Fredericksburg and Northern Railway, it was named for Temple Doswell Smith, a big-shot banker who funded the line. At its 1920s peak, it had 50 folks, a post office, a store, even a dance hall—plus a 962-foot railroad tunnel (now part of Old Tunnel State Park, home to thousands of bats). But when the railroad ditched the tracks in the 1940s, Bankersmith faded, leaving just a few holdouts by the 1960s.

Fast forward to 2012—Austin restaurateur Doug Guller snagged it off Craigslist, briefly renaming it 'Bikinis, Texas' after his sports bar chain, dreaming of a swimsuit hall of fame. Locals weren’t thrilled, so by 2015, he flipped it back to Bankersmith. Today, it’s reborn as a rustic hangout at 7905 Old San Antonio Road. Think saloon, live music, four bars, burgers, and a vibe that’s pure Texas—goats roam, kids play, and the dance hall still swings. It’s a hot spot for events (up to 500 people!) and a short hop from Fredericksburg’s wineries. Next road trip, detour to this quirky survivor—ghost town charm meets Hill Country heart!

Bankersmith, TX