February 7th, 2018 -
Instead of buying a gift, why not get crafty with your Valentine’s Day? These DIY projects will add that special touch that’s so important when giving a gift to someone you love.
Bake a Heart-Shaped Cake
Buy your favorite cake mix or make your favorite recipe from scratch – once in a square pan and another time in a rounded pan. After both cakes have been baked, cut the round cake in half and turn the square one onto a corner, then place the round halves onto the diamond so it makes a heart shape. Decorate with frosting and toppings as you see fit!
Personalize Some Stones
This one is just for a fun little knick-knack. Get some smooth, rounded stones and use paint, glitter, and other applications to give them all personalized Valentine decorations. You can even write special messages on them.
Get Creative with the Wrapping
If you’re going to wrap your DIY gift, or even if you just bought something at the store, you can also make the wrapping special. One way to do this is to take a sheet of sturdy paper that you’ll use to wrap your gift. Cut out a small heart shape and use it as a stencil to trace hearts on this wrapping paper. After you’ve traced the desired number of hearts, cut along half of each heart shape and then fold back each one so that you’ve got half of the heart acting as a door of sorts. Behind each of these cutouts (on the side of the wrapping paper that will not be visible), tape or glue red glitter paper. Your wrapping paper will now have a distinct, uniquely DIY look to it!
Visit PleasureLand RV Center
Stop by PleasureLand RV Center to tour a new motorhome or travel trailer. If you really want to make a big deal out of this Valentine’s Day, surprise your loved one with your DIY gift within the comfort of your other gift: an affordable new RV from PleasureLand RV Center! Come out and see our inventory today.
December 19th, 2017 -
If you’re on the road this December in Minnesota (or you will be soon), chances are you’re going to be spending the holidays in your RV. On your way to your ultimate holiday destination, be sure to stop in at Duluth to catch the Bentleyville Tour of Lights. It’s going on right now and is up and running through December 26.
The annual event transforms the Bayfront Festival Park in Duluth into a magical illuminated winter wonderland that includes colorful displays, holiday music, and warm food and beverages.
It’s known as the country’s largest free walk-through lighting display and possesses more than 4 million individual lights. With such a brilliant display, you know that it’s not something you’re going to be able to see anywhere.
The main attraction is definitely the 12-story Christmas tree, which is over twice as tall as the one in Rockefeller Center in New York. It’s covered in over 100,000 LED lights that are synced to holiday music. Other displays borrow from your favorite holiday and family icons, such as Sesame Street, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and more. Children will also have the opportunity to visit Santa and Mrs. Claus every night.
Concessions like popcorn and hot cocoa are available for your enjoyment while you view the displays.
While the event is free of charge, guests are encouraged to offer donations or help a charity present at the festival in lieu of admission fees.
While you’re in Duluth, you can also check out the Great Lakes Aquarium, Lake Superior Zoo, the Spirit Mountain Ski and Recreation Area, or the numerous local eateries and shops.
Visit PleasureLand RV Center
Looking for the ideal RV or ice house for the winter of 2017/18?PleasureLand RV Centers, located throughout Minnesota, are loaded with all of the latest and greatest ice houses and four-season RVs. Stop in and see us in St. Cloud, Ramsey, Brainerd or Long Prairie to view ourselection of new and used RVs today.
November 17th, 2017 -
When you go RVing for the long term, it often means spending holidays on the road. Even if you are on the road, you can still have a traditional Thanksgiving Dinner with all of the “fixins.” Because of space limitations, you’ll just have to plan it a bit different.
Stop by PleasureLand RV Center to pick up any accessories you may need to help you with cooking Thanksgiving Day dinner on the road.
Make Things the Day Before
If you are using fresh vegetables, parboil them the day before, then keep them in the fridge or a cooler until you can heat them up for the meal. Parboiling the veggies means that you don’t have to use valuable stove space on the day of the Thanksgiving meal – you can just pop them in the microwave to heat them up.
Make the mashed potatoes the day before. Again, all you have to do is heat them up on the stove or in the microwave. You can even boil the potatoes and mash them without any milk or butter, then when you heat them up for the meal, add the fresh milk, butter and seasonings.
If you were cooking Thanksgiving dinner at home, you would most likely make the desserts the day before. You can do this, too – that way you have the oven for the turkey. If your RV doesn’t have an oven or a convection microwave, you can still “bake” pies and turkey on the grill. Simply set the grill to the proper temperature using only one or two burners. Set what you are baking on the side with the unlit burners. Skillet cornbread comes out great when done in this manner.
Thanksgiving Day
About 15 minutes before the turkey is done, you can start heating things up that you made the day before. Since the turkey should sit at least 10 to 15 minutes before you carve it, you should have plenty of time – and things will be hot.
Making Turkey without an Oven
If your RV doesn’t have an oven or a convection oven, you have a few choices. If you have a turkey fryer, fry the turkey. If not, but a whole turkey will fit under the grill hood, make sure you have plenty of propane. Set the grill at the appropriate temperature and place the turkey on the unlit side of the grill.
The third option is to cook turkey breasts. You can fry them, boil them or even cook them on the grill.
Visit PleasureLand RV Center
Stop by PleasureLand RV Center for any needed accessories for the kitchen and other areas inside or outside of the RV.
October 24th, 2017 -
RV travelers don’t have to miss out on the best holiday celebrations. In fact, most holidays are even more enjoyable when spent in an RV. Halloween is one of the top holidays to enjoy on the road, because many campgrounds and RV parks host Halloween parties and trick-or-treating hours.
Prepare your RV for all of the Halloween celebrations you’ll encounter on the road with these simple, do-it-yourself tricks and tips.
Hold a Pumpkin Carving Party
Some campers don’t have enough space in their RVs to carve pumpkins, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be done. Throw a pumpkin carving party outside of your RV on nearby picnic tables or a table of your own. Purchase the pumpkins at a farmers’ market near your destination and invite fellow campers to join in on the fun.
Decorate Your RV
You don’t have to bring tons of supplies on your journey to decorate your RV. Purchase natural decorations, like gords and colored pumpkins, from a farmers’ market at your destination. You can also make your own Halloween-themed decorations with construction paper, glue and scissors from a local craft store. Making temporary decorations is a way to get your kids or fellow travelers involved in the decorating process.
Trick-or-Treat at the Campground
Most campgrounds welcome trick-and-treaters during Halloween. Apply the same rules you would if your kids were trick-or-treating in a traditional neighborhood. Only approach motorhomes, travel trailers or campers that are decorated with their lights on.
If the campground you’re visiting doesn’t allow trick-or-treaters, explore a safe, nearby neighborhood with your little ones. A campground official can help you locate the perfect place.
Setting up a scavenger hunt for your kids at the campsite is another way to help them feel like they’re getting the trick-or-treating experience without having to venture away from the park.
Travel in Your Dream RV
Spend more time on the road this fall with a new or top-quality pre-owned RV from the PleasureLand RV Center in Minnesota. Stop in and see us to find your dream RV today.
February 2nd, 2017 -
The Mardi Gras celebration in New Orleans is so famous (and so much fun) that is has begun to define the city. New Orleans is known for its delicious Cajun eats, incredible music scene, and non-stop party, but the best of all three are combined for one unbelievable day every year — Mardi Gras.
Mardi Gras is on Tuesday, February 28 this year, and although the date is rapidly approaching, there’s still time to plan your RV trip to “The Big Easy.”
Full of Family Fun
The Mardi Gras celebration can be either a family-friendly or strictly adults-only event based on what you want to see. If you’re looking for family-friendly Mardi Gras experience, you can avoid the busy Mardi Gras crowds and visit Family Gras from Feb. 17 to 19 this year. This free celebration, including tons of family-friendly activities, live music, and plenty of famous Louisiana eats, will take place at the Lakeside Shopping Center in Metairie.
Mardi Gras Parades and Events
The Mardi Gras festivities are non-stop in the month of February, with parades on schedule in the days leading up to the big day in New Orleans and a number of other cities throughout the state. Visitors can take part in New Orleans Mardi Gras tours, see exciting exhibits at local museums (the Louisiana State Museum and Germaine Cazenave Wells Mardi Gras Museum) and enjoy an unbeatable Mardi Gras meals at the famous Antoine’s Restaurant. The Mardi Gras festivities are practically seeping out of every bar, restaurant and store in town.
Where to Stay
New Orleans is home to a number of top quality RV parks that are guaranteed to make your Mardi Gras experience even better than expected. Stay in the heart of it all at the French Quarter RV Resort or find a little more mellow refuge at the gorgeous Pontchartrain Landing RV park. New Orleans is home to numerous RV parks and campgrounds that are ready to host you for the celebration.
Find Your Perfect RV
If you’re still searching for the perfect RV for your 2017 adventures, there’s no better place to shop than right here at PleasureLand RV Center. Log onto our website or stop by PleasureLand RV Center to view our huge selection of new and used RVs for unbeatable prices.
November 23rd, 2015 -
Turkey has been a staple part of Thanksgiving dinner in many households for decades. However, you don’t have to eat a typical, boring turkey every Thanksgiving. This mouthwatering smoked pork sausage with hard-cider sauce is a recipe that will spice up your Thanksgiving meal this year and will probably become a new family favorite.
Pork Sausage with Hard-Cider Sauce
What you’ll need:
- 1 dried chipotle chile
- 1/2 cup hard cider
- 2 Granny Smith apples (halved and cored)
- 2 ounces rye bread (crust removed, sliced into bite-size pieces)
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- Kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
- Four 4-ounce smoked pork sausages
- 1 pound broccoli (cut into 1-inch pieces)
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 1/2 tablespoons butter (cubed)
- 1/2 teaspoon caraway seeds
Cooking instructions:
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
- In a medium bowl, cover the chile with hot water and let stand for 30 minutes.
- Bake apple halves with the cut side down on a baking sheet for 30 minutes. Let apples cool.
- Scoop pulp out of the apples and into a food processor.
- Stem and seed the chipotle, then chop and add to the food processor. Puree.
- Spread the bread in a pie plate and bake for 10 minutes.
- In a saucepan, boil the hard cider with the vinegar, sugar and the apple/chile puree. Simmer until reduced to 3/4 cup. Remove from heat and season with salt.
- Grill the sausages on medium heat until they’re lightly charred on all sides and cooked thoroughly. Place on a plate and tent with foil.
- In a large skillet, heat the oil and sit in the broccoli. Season with salt and cook until brown. Stir in the caraway, mustard, cider sauce and 1/2 cup of water. Bring to a boil.
- Remove broccoli and sauce from heat, stir in butter and add salt as needed.
- Serve sausages covered in broccoli and sauce. Garnish with bread pieces.
Don’t forget to stop and see us at the PleasureLand RV Centers throughout Minnesota when you’re traveling in your RV this holiday season.
November 4th, 2015 -
Many Americans agree that the sides of the Thanksgiving meal are even better than the turkey. However, the usual green beans, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and stuffing can seem a bit drab year after year. This cheesy barley gratin can easily be mistaken for macaroni and cheese, but instead, you’ll find a decadent and savory side dish that will amaze your guests.
What you’ll need:
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella
- 1 cup grated Parmesan
- 2 cups pearled barley
- salt and black pepper
- 2 large cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh thyme (chopped finely)
- 1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs
- 6 ounces Gruyere (shredded)
- 1 large yellow onion (chopped)
- 4 cups whole milk
- 1/4 cup all purpose flour
Cooking instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees and place oven rack in the center. Grease a 3-quart baking dish with butter.
- Bring a small pot of salted water to a boil.
- Stir the barley into the boiling water and boil for about 20 minutes or until slightly chewy. Drain and rinse.
- Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a medium bowl.
- Combine the Gruyere, Parmesan and mozzarella in a separate medium bowl. Stir 1 cup of the cheese mixture, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and bread crumbs into the melted butter bowl. Work breadcrumbs and cheese into the butter.
- Melt the remaining butter in a large pot on medium-high heat. Stir in the onions and a pinch of salt. Cook until the onions are slightly browned.
- Return heat to medium and add the thyme and garlic. Stir until softened.
- Stir in the flour and cook until a thin paste is formed. Whisk in milk for about 1 minute. Add 1 teaspoon of salt and pepper. Simmer, stirring occasionally.
- Remove mixture from the heat and stir in the cooked barley and cheese mixture.
- Spoon into the baking dish and sprinkle the remaining breadcrumbs on top.
- Bake until golden brown or for about 30 minutes.
Find your dream RV this holiday season right here at the PleasureLand RV Center in Minnesota.
October 6th, 2015 -
Traveling in an RV doesn’t mean you have to miss out on your favorite holiday traditions. In fact, many RV parks and campgrounds have trick-or-treaters and planned festivities for Halloween. Get your RV Halloween-ready with these creative do-it-yourself decoration ideas.
Scary Glowing Eyes
All you need are a few cardboard toilet paper rolls, glow sticks and a pair of scissors to create these cute but spooky glowing eyes. Simply cut different eye shapes into one side of the toilet paper roll, insert a glow stick into each roll and hide them in the bushes or trees outside of your RV.
Halloween Silhouette Lamp Shades
Turn the lamps inside your RV into spooky decorations with a few pieces of construction paper, tape and a pair of scissors. Cut spooky shapes, like ghosts and bats, out of the construction paper and tape them to the inside of your lampshades. Turn all of the other lights off at night, and you’ll enjoy your cost-effective and easy-to-make decorations. If you don’t want to tape anything to your current lampshades, purchase a set of lampshades and glue the decorations to the inside instead.
Ghost Lights for Inside or Out
Forget about buying costly strings of Halloween lights that you’ll only use a few months out of the year. This spooky ghost light garland is easy to make and can be hung inside or out (just bring it inside if it rains).
Purchase a strand or two of white lantern lights and cover them with a light white fabric. Use a rubber band to tighten the fabric around the light, so the bottom of the fabric hangs down. Draw dots for the eyes and mouth on each piece of fabric, and you’ll be amazed at how cute your spooky ghost lights turn out.
Upgrade Your RV at PleasureLand
There’s no better time to find an incredible deal on a new or used RV than right now at the PleasureLand RV Center in Minnesota. Stop and see us at one of our many locations before you hit the road this fall.
April 30th, 2015 -
Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and that means it’s time to get your mom something special for her RV lifestyle. May is one of the best times of year to be on the roads in your RV, and you can make your mom’s spring adventures even more enjoyable with these camping supplies from our PleasureLand RV Center online parts store.
The Pool-N-Beach Cabana by Kwik Tek
Enjoying the pools and beaches you visit in your RV just got a whole lot better. This Pool-N-Beach Cabana is the most comfortable way to cool off on a hot day. This raft features two seating areas and a removable shade, so you can get just as much sun as you want. The wind-resistant canopy and heavy-gauge PVC bladder ensure you can use this comfortable cabana season after season. If you’re mom loves lounging in the pool, lake or ocean, she’ll fall in love with this ultra durable and luxurious raft.
Super Combo Washer and Dryer
Hand washing clothes on the go can be a major chore, but this Super Combo washer and dryer takes up minimal space in your RV and makes a once tedious chore an easy one. Features include a child lock, delay start, pause function, adjustable height, automatic wrinkle guard, 14 programmed functions and many others to make washing and dryer your limited amount of travel clothing a breeze.
Open Air Zero Gravity Recliner by Camco
Has your mom been sitting in the same old, uncomfortable camping chair season after season? Upgrade her RV lifestyle with this Open Air Zero Gravity Recliner by Camco. It’s ultra durable with a powder coated steel frame, dual locking system, weather-resistant fabric and PVC coated polyester. And even better, it’s unbelievably comfortable for lounging in the sun or enjoying an evening drink under the awning.
Find all of these RV and camping related Mother’s Day presents on the PleasureLand RV Center’s online parts store. It’s open 24 hours a day and seven days a week.
March 10th, 2015 -
Spring is the most exciting time of year in the RV industry. It means it’s time to pull your RV out of storage, clean it up and hit the road for another year of adventure. And although the outdoor temperatures may still be a little chilly here in Minnesota, there are tons of places throughout the United States that are ready to greet you with warm weather and perfect camping conditions. Cruise to some of these great RV destinations this spring, and start the 2015 camping season off with a great adventure.
Zion National Park
Zion National Park was Utah’s first national park, and it still reigns as one of the most beautiful in the United States. Sandstone cliffs, mesmerizing canyons, a variety of plants and animals and a rich history make this park a must-visit for anyone seeking an outdoor adventure. Stay at the Zion River Resort, just 13 miles from Zion National Park’s south entrance, and you’ll have access to all of the park’s outdoor activities as well as all of the RV park amenities you love.
Destin, Florida
Every adventure calls for a little relaxation too, and Destin, Fla., is the perfect place to find both. Stay at the Camp Gulf RV park in Destin, and you’ll enjoy first-class amenities, pristine beaches and tons of outdoor activities like fishing, boating, paddleboarding, kayaking and golfing. The city of Destin is also full of great shopping, dining and family-friendly activities.
Great Sand Dunes National Park
No one expects to see sand dunes in Colorado, and that’s what makes the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve so incredible. Visitors enjoy hiking, backpacking, climbing sand dunes, sand sledding, sandboarding, splashing in the Medano Creek and so much more. The Pinon Flats Campground reopens for the season on March 31, but there are plenty of other area campgrounds ready to accommodate your RV.
Start your spring RV adventures right here at PleasureLand RV Center in Minnesota. We’re your one-stop shop for all of your spring RV parts, accessories, service and camping supplies.
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About Me
Hi, my name is Dan Pearson and I am the Owner of PleasureLand RV Centers based out of St. Cloud, MN. We have three other Minnesota locations to serve all of you RV needs. I look forward to providing you with all your RV information from buying an RV to tips and maintenance. If you would like to contact me, be sure to leave a comment.
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