Show your Olympic Spirit in your RV

photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bunchesandbits/5800479999/sizes/z/

Photo by Bunches and Bits (Flickr Creative Commons)

The 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics are well under way, and there’s no better time to decorate your RV or have an Olympic party at the campsite than now. Your family will have tons of fun creating these decorations, foods and activities to celebrate the Winter Games, and with all of the supplies available at your local grocery or craft store, you can get started today.

Decorate your RV

Have a favorite country you’re rooting for in the Olympics? Decorate your RV with streamers and balloons to celebrate your patriotism. And don’t forget about the Olympic rings. Pool noodles (held together with duct tape) work great to create huge rings for the exterior of your RV, but items as small as pipe cleaners can be fun for your kids to assemble as well.

Make Olympic Snacks

Create small Olympic torches for your guests to enjoy by filling ice cream cones with buttered popcorn. Let the popcorn stack as high as it can without falling, and everyone will have their very own Olympic torch.

For a sweeter take on the games, bake sugar cookies into ring shapes (similar to a donut) and frost them with the colors of the Olympic rings — blue, black, red, yellow and green. You can even dye the dough with food coloring instead of using frosting.

Indoor or Outdoor Competitions

Nothing gets your guests in the Olympic spirit more than a little competition. Hold a few sets of games, whether they involve an indoor snowball fight using rolled up socks, a set of trivia questions for adults, or obstacle courses and relay races outside. And don’t forget to hand out gold medals to the winners, which can easily be made with a little bit of cardboard and ribbon.

Pleasureland RV Center

Here at PleasureLand RV Center — your Minnesota RV dealer — we are loving the 2014 Winter Olympic games, and we hope you’re enjoying them in your RV too. We hope you’ll turn to us this camping season for all of your Minnesota and Canada RV parts, accessories, sales and service needs. We’ve got four locations in St. Cloud, Ramsey, Willmar and Brainerd, so stop in and see us six days a week.

(Photo Source)

Healthy Recipes to Help Keep the New Year’s Resolutions

Eggs In Basket

Photo by Cheryl (Flickr Creative Commons)

If you enjoy RV traveling and one of your New Year’s resolutions is to eat healthy, combine the two with easily prepared recipes without all the additives. Eating healthy while camping is easier than you might think with the help of one main ingredient; the protein-packed egg.

To make cooking fun and efficient, visit PleasureLand RV for a look at our cooking accessories. Not only will your indoor or outdoor kitchen be well equipped, you’ll earn reward points for your purchases.

Sun-Dried Tomato with Feta and Spinach Omelet

  • Combine 2 large eggs with a dash of black pepper and kosher salt. Set aside.
  • Melt 1/2 tsp unsalted butter over medium heat in a nonstick skillet.
  • Pour egg batter into pan covering the bottom. Let cook for 2 to 3 minutes or until set.
  • Top with 1/2 cup chopped spinach, 2 tbsp chopped sun-dried tomatoes and 2 tbsp crumbled Feta cheese.
  • Fold the egg over the mixture.
  • Use a spatula to detach the omelet from the pan.
  • Slide the omelet to a plate and serve with a side of turkey bacon.

Curried Egg Salad Sandwich

  • Bring 8 large eggs to a boil in a covered pot. Remove from heat and let sit for about 12 minutes.
  • Rinse the eggs using cold water then remove the shells.
  • Chop the eggs and set aside.
  • In a separate bowl combine 1/3 cup mayonnaise and 1 tsp curry powder.
  • Fold the eggs into the mayo mixture along with 1 tbsp chopped fresh chives and a dash of black pepper and kosher salt.
  • Top four slices of pumpernickel bread with lettuce and the chicken salad.
  • Serve with your favorite chips.

Spaghetti with Eggs, Herbs and Chilies

  • Cook enough spaghetti to serve 4. Approximately 3/4 of a box. Drain and return pasta to the pot.
  • Warm 3 tbsp olive oil with 2 sliced cloves of garlic and 1 thinly sliced red chili pepper in a saucepan. Cook 2-3 minutes.
  • Add mixture to the pasta along with 1/2 cup of fresh herbs. Mix thoroughly.
  • In a separate pan, heat 1 tbsp olive oil. Cook 4 eggs to your desired preference.
  • Serve pasta topped with an egg and garnished with Parmesan.

Make every trip a culinary adventure with healthy recipes and the means to prepare them from the cooking accessories available at PleasureLand RV.

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2014 Thor A.C.E.

A.C.E. : Class A Motorhomes

The Thor A.C.E. motorhome gives you the best of what both Class C and Class A motorhomes have to offer and combines them into one. The 2014 A.C.E. lineup comes in 4 different floor plans ranging from 28 to 31 feet and combines the driving ease of a Class C with convenient features and a spacious design.

Interior

As you step into an A.C.E., you’ll see a closet conveniently placed by the door to store items and hang your coats up. The cabinetry comes in either Olympic cherry or Vintage maple and is complemented by one of three decor options. The residential linoleum flooring adds to the look and is also easy to clean. Along with the slideout, an 84″ high vinyl ceiling gives the interior an open feel.

2014 Thor A.C.E. Interior

The furniture (including the captains chairs) in the A.C.E. is scratch-resistant leatherette, and the sofa converts into a comfortable bed. Additional bedding is provided with the drop-down bed over the cab. You’ll also have a queen or king bed with designer headboard in the bedroom, and bunk beds are added in the largest model. In the bathroom, the curved shower curtain gives you more space.

The galley has a gas cooktop, double-door refrigerator, microwave, and deep-bowl sink with goose-neck faucet that is functional and also accents the laminate countertops. And depending on the floor plan, a 26″ or 32″ HDTV in the living area comes standard. In addition to unique features like a large mirror above the driver’s seat, the A.C.E. has unique pet-friendly features as well.

Exterior

Built to drive like a large SUV, the A.C.E. has a Ford Chassis with Triton V-10 engine. Bilstein shocks provide a smooth ride, and 4-wheel power disc brakes provide safety in less-than-ideal road conditions. Welded tubular steel floors and aluminum walls give the A.C.E. strength and durability. A full color gel-coat exterior finish with graphics makes this a fine-looking motorhome. Convenient features on the outside include a power awning and shower.

Options

Add a 19″ TV in the bedroom and a 32″ exterior TV. You can upgrade to a 15K BTU A/C also.

Visit PleasureLand RV Center, your local RV dealership Minnesota, to find out more about the 2014 A.C.E.

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5 Places to Travel in 2014

Virginia State Capitol - Richmond, Virginia

Photo by Doug Kerr

With four convenient locations in Minnesota to serve you, family-owned PleasureLand RV Center can help make your dreams come true with a new or used recreational vehicle. With our extensive inventory along web specials and financing, our staff will have you ready to ride to top travel destinations in 2014 in an RV customized to fit your budget and lifestyle.

Richmond, Virginia

In 2014, many of the battles that took place during the Civil War will be celebrating their 150th anniversary. The south is full of hospitality and history and when visiting Richmond, you’ll experience it all along with museums, breweries, quaint restaurants, and white water rafting for outdoor enthusiasts.

Chicago, Illinois

If you want to enjoy Wrigley Field’s 100th birthday, then head to the Windy City. Chicago has everything from beaches and boating to music fests and comedy clubs. RV parks are about an hour away at Grass Lake Marina and RV Resort in Antioch and Fish Lake Beach in Volo, but worth the drive to experience all Chicago has to offer.

Palm Springs, California

The retro architecture, cool atmosphere and a desert oasis just outside the city limits beckon travelers. Just a few of the attractions include San Jacinto Peak, PS Aerial Tramway, Cabazon Dinosaurs, Palm Springs Walk of Stars and Plaza Theatre. RV parks near Palm Springs include Two Springs RV Resort, Emerald Desert RV Resort, Sky Valley Resort, and Happy Traveler RV Park.

South Florida

Florida has an array of attractions, activities, water sports, fresh seafood, and a diverse environment resulting in the best traditional cuisine to be found. The south Florida region includes Miami and Miami Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach, the Everglades, and the Florida Keys. No matter which location you choose, you’ll have access to museums, nightlife, casinos, kids attractions, fishing, boating, scuba diving and so much more, along with numerous RV camping locations.

Rivera Nayarit, Mexico

Pack up your RV and head to the border. The sun-drenched 192-mile expanse is lined with small towns, pristine beaches, hiking, wildlife viewing, and for the adventurer, surfing and snorkeling opportunities. RV camping is available at the fully equipped Sol Tierra RV Park located in the heart of Rivera Nayarit, just minutes from Puerto Vallarta.

Contact PleasureLand RV for all your RV needs from new and used rides and accessories to routine service and winter storage.

December 18 is National Bake Cookies Day

Cookie, Anyone

Photo by James (Flickr)

There are some national days you just don’t want to miss out on and National Bake Cookies Day is definitely on the list. What better way to spend the day than celebrating with the sweet goodness of your favorite cookies on December 18.

Cookies made their debut in the US in the 17th century and have been going strong ever since. The word cookie, in its original Dutch pronunciation “koekje,” means little cake. The koekje came about when Dutch bakers tested oven temperatures with a small portion of cake batter. After a while, they determined the test cakes were delicious on their own and the “cookie” was born.

If you’re thinking about making travel plans during this time, stop by PleasureLand RV for any last minute accessories including cookbooks with some tasty recipes.

To celebrate National Cookie Day, whip up a batch of quick and easy goodies like these.

Snickerdoodles

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees
  • Mix together 1 1/2 cups sugar, 1/2 cup shortening, 2 eggs, and 1/2 cup softened margarine or butter.
  • Add 2 3/4 cups all purpose flour, 1 tsp. baking soda, 1/4 tsp. salt and 2 tsps. cream of tartar and stir.
  • Shape the dough into 1 1/4-inch balls.
  • Combine 1/4 cup sugar with 2 tsps. cinnamon.
  • Roll the dough balls in the sweet mixture and place on an ungreased cookie sheet about 2 inches apart.
  • Bake cookies for 8 to 10 minutes. Remove to wire rack to cool.

Dutch Almond Boterkoek

A delicious butter cake bar cookie perfect for celebrating koekje day.

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Grease a 9 x 13 baking pan or 9 x 12 jelly roll pan.
  • Blend 1 1/4 cups brown sugar with 1 cup margarine or butter. Add 1 tsp. almond extract.
  • Sift 2 cups all purpose flour and add to the sugar mixture. Blend well.
  • Separate one egg and add the yolk to mixture. Mix well.
  • Place and press the dough into the pan.
  • Lightly beat the egg white and pour over the dough as a glaze.
  • Sprinkle the dough with slivered or flaked almonds.
  • Bake for approximately 20 minutes.
  • Cool then cut into bars.
  • Makes two dozen bars.

Contact our staff at PleasureLand RV or stop by and visit our showroom of new and used motorhomes, travel trailers, fifth wheels, campers, and more.

8 Must Have Stocking Stuffers for the RV Fan in your Life

Photo By: http://www.flickr.com/photos/andrewmalone/

Instead of toothbrushes, socks, and other traditional (not-so-exciting) stocking stuffers, try giving the RV fan in your life something different this year. At PleasureLand RV Center – your go-to RV dealer in Minnesota – we’ve got all of the stocking stuffers to make this the best Christmas yet. The following are a few of our favorites from our online RV accessory catalog, but don’t forget to stop by to see everything we have in stock.

Coghlan’s Tele-Fork

A fork that extends from 12 inches to 42 inches. Perfect for warming a snack over the fire or stealing food off your brother’s plate.

GSI Outdoors Enamelware Stainless Rim Cup

The perfect cup for every aspect of camping from coffee in the morning to hot cocoa before bed. Choose from a variety of colors, so each camper can distinguish his own.

Bowling Dice By Fundex Games, LTD

Bowl every night right in the comfort of your RV with this dice bowling game. It’s a fun and competitive game for the whole family and a great alternative to TV.

Camco RV Window Thermometers

Dual thermometers so you can check the temperature on both sides of your vehicle. Know the temperature in the sun as well as the shade, then go out and play.

Camco Ditty Bag Set

Three water-repellent bags in varying sizes to keep your accessories organized and safe from the elements. Great as toiletry bags, jewelry storage and so much more.

Camco Camp Saw

A tool that’s useful outdoors as well as around the house. The 10-inch saw blade can cut through wood, drywall and even PVC pipe.

Coghlan’s Fire Lighters

A great survival tool that all campers love. Use these sticks to start a fire without matches, kindling or paper. Even better than matches, these fire lighters burn for about seven minutes, so you can get a fire started every time.

Custer FL20 LED Flashlight

Every RV enthusiast needs a proper headlamp for exploring around the campsite at night. This lamp by Custer Products offers an LED bulb for extra strength and a longer-lasting shine.

December 4th is Santa’s List Day

Photo By: http://www.flickr.com/photos/isaachsieh/

Santa’s List Day is rapidly approaching, which means it’s time to complete your Christmas list and drop it in the mail to the North Pole. Although Dec. 4th is only a couple days away, it’s not too late for you to come to PleasureLand RV to start making your list for Santa. Whether you’re asking for a brand new RV, new tires or games to play around the campfire, we’ve got all of them and everything in between.

New and Used RVs

Fill your list with some luxury gift ideas from your favorite family-owned Minnesota RV dealership – PleasureLand RV. We’ve got an incredible showroom full of everything from high-end Class A motorhomes to toy haulers, fifth wheels, popup campers, truck campers and even destination trailers. We love the RV lifestyle so much, we keep our prices as low as possible, so you can experience it too.

Parts and Accessories

Don’t forget to gather some gift ideas from our extensive parts and accessories department offering everything from stocking stuffers to the biggest gifts under the tree. We’ve got all of your favorite camping supplies, RV cookbooks, coolers, safety products, plumbing products and just about any item you could need or want in your home on wheels.

Need to cover the kids’ lists too? We’ve got tons of fun outdoor games, card games and even model RV collectibles and action toys, so your kids can be as excited about each RV vacation as you are.

Service and Maintenance

Although you can’t wrap them and put them under the tree, RV repairs and maintenance are the perfect Christmas gifts. Save yourself and your family some of the stress of squeezing in all of your RV repairs before you hit the road for a big trip, and have them done now.

Even better, have PleasureLand RV install some upgrades on your vehicle like new tires, a new generator or even body work. We’re the best place to have your RV serviced in Minnesota, so be certain to ask Santa to bring your “home away from home” in for a Christmas tune up.

Give Thanks in Your RV This Year

By Crops for the Future (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

When envisioning Thanksgiving, you probably imagine spending the day at home, cooking meals in a spacious kitchen and eating at a large dining room table. You may have chosen not to spend Thanksgiving traveling in your RV, because there simply isn’t enough space, and you don’t want to give up that delicious turkey dinner.

Well, it’s time to change tradition. With a few slight alterations to your cooking habits and dining room table, you can easily have your turkey and eat it too.

Get Creative

The lack of oven space in an RV is just not suitable for a full-size turkey, but that doesn’t mean you need to scrap your main course. Choose turkey breasts instead. Two of them will easily fit into an RV oven, and you’ll still get that delicious baked turkey taste.

Trade oven-baked sides for ones you can throw on the grill, stove-top or even in the microwave. Vegetables, mashed potatoes and boxed stuffing can all be cooked on a stove-top, but don’t be ashamed if you end up buying a couple of sides at the deli.

Don’t forget dessert. Frozen pies can be found at a local supermarket, but why not have s’mores for dessert this year? That’s a new tradition your family is certain to love.

Eat Outside

There may not be enough space in your RV for everyone to sit at one table and give thanks, so give yourselves some elbow room and enjoy your meal outside. If you’ve got outdoor furniture, that’s always a plus, but a picnic table is an excellent place for a family dinner too.

Make a Few Stops

Stop at pumpkin patches and farmer’s markets on the way to your destination. Use these stops as an opportunity to stretch your legs, pick up some fresh veggies and grab a few small pumpkins or gourds for decoration.

Pleasureland RV Center

Stop by your Minnesota RV dealer – PleasureLand RV Center – to buy a new or used fifth wheel, travel trailer or motorhome this holiday season. And if you need any maintenance done before you hit the road for Thanksgiving, our parts and service department has you covered there too.

The Enchanted Highway

RV dealership Minneapolis

If you have ever seen the Disney animated motion picture Cars, the story may sound familiar. A stretch of highway, long forgotten by most travelers, struggles to regain some notoriety and relevance. It is the true story of 32 miles of two-lane roadway that lies in southwestern North Dakota. Although the road has no official route number, it has become known as the Enchanted Highway. PleasureLand RV is pleased to present the true story of this almost forgotten road.

It was back in 1989 that a local artist by the name of Gary Greff came up with the idea. Greff saw how superhighways were siphoning off traffic from rural roads like the one that went through his hometown of Regent, South Dakota. He thought if people had a reason to travel these roads, small towns like his would still be viable. So he began to use scrap metal to build larger than life sculptures along the road.

He used farm tanks, utility poles, barbed wire, and augers to create the 45 foot tall “Tin Family” sculpture. “Teddy Roosevelt Rides Again” was constructed out of well pipe and stands tall at 51 feet. He utilized pipe and wire mesh to create “Pheasants on the Prairie,” weighing in at a total of 13,000 lbs. Greff made use of some old fuel tanks and oil well tanks in creating “Grasshoppers in the Field.” In 2002 he again used oil tanks in the creation of “Deer Crossing.” His masterpiece however, is his giant “Geese in Flight” sculpture. This massive piece of art stands at 154 feet long and 110 feet tall, making it the largest metal sculpture in the world according to the Guinness World Book of Records.

A Regent native, Greff maintains the sculptures and plans to add more. In 2012 he opened up his “Enchanted Castle” motel along the route. If you are planning on RVing to the Black Hills and Badlands areas of this part of the country, consider a trip down the the Enchanted Highway. It can make for a bit more interesting drive than that along the Interstates. The Enchanted Highway runs from Regent to Exit 72 of I-94. It is a trip you and your family won’t soon forget and pictures are a must.

PleasureLand RV is a family owned RV dealership Minnesota, Canada, and the entire Midwest has come to rely on for year-round RV sales, service, parts, and accessories. Enjoy your next trip in a PleasureLand RV!

Getting Your RV Ready To Tailgate

Recreational Vehicle Minneapolis Minnesota

Many RVers convert their RVs into tailgate machines this time of year. Some don’t even attend the games! After all, with satellite TV and the comforts of home, who needs to pay big ticket and food prices when you can still enjoy the atmosphere and have a front row seat in your comfortable RV?

Here are some tips for creating a fun, and safe, tailgating machine out of your RV:

  • Be sure to bring the colors of your favorite team and display them proudly. You don’t even have to buy expensive “officially licensed” products. Dollar type stores have disposable plates, cups and streamers in a wide choice of colors. Just pick out the ones that represent your team and you are on your way!
  • Prepare as much of the side dishes and snacks ahead of time. Keep cold dishes cold with plenty of ice.
  • Make sure you have something to eat for after the game as well. This will extend your party and give the heavy traffic time to disperse.
  • Remember, somebody has to drive that RV back, so have a designated driver available. Of course, it should be someone who is capable of handling an RV. Worst case scenario? Hey, that’s the great thing about having an RV with a bed.
  • Using as many disposable products as possible can help make clean-up much easier.
  • Make sure you bring folding chairs so there are places to relax outside of your RV.
  • Be on the look-out for free promotional koozies. They are a popular give-away item at events and you can begin collecting them for use by your tailgating friends.
  • If your RV doesn’t have outside speakers, be sure to bring a radio to listen to the pre-game show on the local radio station.
  • Bring an activity like corn-hole to keep everyone entertained.

Enjoy the football season and good luck to your team. Our team at PleasureLand RV is ready to serve you anytime of the year with your recreational vehicle service, parts, and accessories. It is also a nice time to check out our new models in stock. Go team! We look forward to seeing you soon at PleasureLand RV.