Scenic blue skies, tall palm trees, rich red gravel, and five retro trailers: A stay at the Blue Skies Retro Resort is like visiting a real-life Instagram post. The vintage trailer resort in Willow City, Texas recreates the feeling of traveling to Palm Springs, California circa 1960, exuding realistically retro vibes down to every last detail. The only thing that will bring you back to reality is your smartphone in hand, capturing it all.
“The Palm Springs decor was the vision, especially for something different in the Texas Hill Country,” co-owner Casey Rowe said.
Owners Casey and Atticus Rowe opened this vintage-styled tourist location in the heart of the Lone Star State, conveniently situated between the Texas Wine Trail and Enchanted Rock. The husband and wife duo from Austin modeled the resort after their love for camping.
“We love camping, but it can be a lot of work to tow a trailer, then set it all up. So, we thought, ‘Let’s do all the hard work and build a trailer resort so that people can enjoy the fun part of trailer camping and start relaxing immediately,’” Casey said.
Blue Skies features five Shasta reissued trailers for guests to reserve a stay in. This vintage trailer brand has origins dating back over 70 years ago. While today’s recreational vehicles are manufactured to be sleek and chic, with every built-in bell and whistle imaginable, the Shasta mobile homes initiated an unprecedented travel movement in the United States. The first Shasta trailer was created in 1941 by Californian Robert Gray. His “house trailers” were originally built for mobile military housing, but the new concept of a home on wheels inspired a generation of Americans to embark on leisure adventures. Shasta and the quirky “toaster on wheels” aesthetic became synonymous with travel and the American Dream. Three generations later, Shasta remains one of the recreational vehicle industry’s longest producers, and for entrepreneurs like the Rowes, the brand’s iconic history allowed them to continue inspiring wanderlust in Texans.
The process of creating the retro resort was a challenging one, according to Casey. “The biggest challenge we faced with Blue Skies was building it from the ground up,” she said. The resort owner said each of these 2015 limited editions re-issued Shasta trailers were built with updated features.
“It was an open field, and we created the layout, the individual, private spa-like bathrooms with outdoor showers, and the pavilion area,” Casey said. The husband and wife duo designed the pool to add a vintage feeling to the resort experience. “And we made sure to have palm trees!”
Each of Blue Skies Shasta trailers is given a name that suits its personality: Miss Mary Longbottom, Miss Lottie, Miss Willie Mae, Miss Estella, and Miss Abby are the five trailers guests will see at the resort. These colorful campers sit on a perfectly manicured patch of lush grass and are suited with white chairs to enjoy the sunset in. The retro Shasta mobile homes are equipped with keyless entries and provide comfort with full-sized Casper® mattresses. Enjoy morning coffee with the camper’s Keurig with a little music from the Bluetooth speakers or, for those looking to fully embrace the era, a record player with records provided. Sheltered by an intriguing geometric awning to shield you from the Texas sun, one night at Blue Skies is a trip back in time. All that is missing is a white picket fence.
Booking a stay in one of these campers also comes with special features like a private bathroom on location. Aside from the bathroom inside the camper, these bathrooms include all the luxury of a hotel, with a full vanity area, plush robes, and other amenities. Guests, however, will get to experience nature in a whole new way with outdoor private showers that afford views of the big and bright night sky.
Cool off from the Texas heat (because it truly does not start feeling like fall in Texas until November) at the pool. The resort provides a gated pool area fully equipped with lounge chairs and turquoise blue striped umbrellas for you to catch some rays. Other communal areas on the property include a modern outdoor wood-burning fireplace, complete with modern outdoor furniture, and grill.
The resort also can be rented out fully. “We have had large weddings, elopements, surprise weddings, family reunions, bachelorette parties, birthdays, divorce parties, anniversaries, yoga retreats, company off-sites, wine tastings, and more,” Casey said.
This unique lodging location offers Texans and Texas travelers the opportunity to experience the Texas Hill Country in a whole new way. A stay at the Blue Skies Retro Resort will have guests continuing to return with one word: nostalgia. “Blue Skies really is its own unique experience.”
