After placing the “winning” eBay bid in October 2017, Yvonne and her handy husband, George, climbed into their trusty old pickup, Big Red, and drove across six states to “rescue” a neglected vintage trailer from the backwoods of northern Wisconsin. Once home, the makeover quickly turned into a full-scale restoration. Beneath the lipstick and rouge, they discovered serious structural issues—nearly 80% of the frame and ceiling were compromised, and the electrical and plumbing systems were unsafe and poorly rigged. Looking back, it felt like nothing short of divine intervention that they made it home safely.
Known for her stubborn determination, Yvonne refused to give up. She felt an immediate connection to the trailer and knew she was meant to rescue and resurrect it. Inspiration struck after she convinced George and her creative, outside-the-box handyman, Bill Bradley, to attend an all-female vintage trailer show—sweetened with the promise of a “slamming” BBQ lunch. After touring more than 20 beautifully restored “glampers,” Yvonne returned home energized and full of ideas.
During the drive back, she sketched out her vision: a new floor plan, a Mermaid’s Lair theme, and a carefully curated color palette and materials list. Over the next three seasons and more than 300 combined hours of labor, the tired 1967 Shasta Starflyte was completely transformed. Yvonne named the finished trailer Ms. Lacey-Pearl, inspired by George’s grandmothers, Ms. Lacy and Ms. Pearl—a fitting tribute, especially after George narrowly avoided losing a thumb to a table saw during the build.
By summer 2018, Ms. Lacey-Pearl was ready to be enjoyed. She now serves as a unique extension of Yvonne’s Secret Garden Spa, offering a whimsical setting for daytime “Glamping & Facial” parties or a peaceful overnight retreat. The trailer sits on the couple’s property within a thoughtfully created faux campsite, complete with a fire pit, cozy outdoor seating, garden lights, bunting, birdsong, and even backyard chickens clucking nearby.
Best of all, this charming glamping escape is just 0.8 miles from the historic, Mayberry-like downtown of McKinney, Texas—known for its dining, shopping, and vibrant arts scene.
