Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and there are all kinds of ways to make your mother feel special, and let her know you love her. A phone call or a card and some flowers is a simple way, but why not try something else like a trip in your RV together, or stopping by for your visit. Mom did everything for you when you were growing up, and means the world to you now, so why not plan a vacation for her that would show her just how much you love her.
If your mom lives close by, you might want to try taking a trip together for the day. There are plenty of lakes, rivers, and parks available now that Minnesota is starting to warm up and the two of you could visit them together. And who knows, with all the amenities that your RV has, you might even want to make a week or a weekend of it. It’s probably been a while since your mom had a vacation, and she deserves a few days away from all the hustle and bustle of home.
You can visit any of the hundreds of RV parks, National Parks or State Parks that Minnesota and the neighboring states have to offer. Or, why not take a trip into Canada, which is only a hop, skip and jump away, and add a little international flavor to your trip.
Or why not bring the party to her. Surprise mom with a visit. The best part about traveling in your RV is that she won’t have to worry about putting you up for the night. Whether it’s a few hours drive, or it takes you a few days, you know that you and your family will be comfortable in your RV from PleasureLand RV Center. With a full kitchen, bathroom, and beds, your trip will be comfortable and smooth sailing. There’s always plenty of room for everyone in the family.
No matter whether you decided to visit your mother or take her on a vacation she’ll never forget, the most important thing is time to create a memorable and fun Mother’s Day with the whole family. At Pleasureland RV Center we would be proud to help you find the right, used or new RV. We also offer RV rentals to anyone who wants to take a trip in an RV.
Having kids doesn’t mean that you have to give up the RV lifestyle, and being an RVer doesn’t mean that you can’t adopt that dog that you’ve been longing for. There are some considerations to keep in mind when you have kids and dogs on the road, but by and large, pets and children can love the open road as deeply as you do.
Caring for Children on the Road
Children do tend to thrive on stability, having the same friends for more than a few days at a time, so you don’t find a lot of full-time RVers on the road, but it’s hard to find a child who doesn’t enjoy heading to a new campground every month, spending every summer exploring lakes, rivers and roadside attractions.
Scheduling a few big trips a year with a few weekends out here and there is generally going to be your best bet at providing both stability and adventure in your child’s life. Summer, Winter and Spring break are all a great opportunity to spend a week in the mountains or traversing Old Route 66.
Caring for Pets on the Road
It might not be a bad idea to look for a smaller pet. Even if you have a large RV, it’s tough on a big dog to always be cooped up inside of the vehicle. As much as they’ll love exploring hiking trails with you, the time spent in between stops can be very stressful for a larger animal.
If your pet has special dietary concerns, then make sure to stock up before you take off for a trip. Don’t assume that every small town in the country has what you need to feed your four legged friend.
The open road calls to us all at some point or other, whether you’re an adult, a child, a dog or a cat. The freedom and thrill of waking up in a new town every morning, of exploring your home country has universal appeal. As long as your pet or child has all of their needs taken care of, then there’s no reason not to take them out on the road with you.
When you take your RV out into the great outdoors in order to get a little closer to nature, it’s easy to take for granted that you’re really out there in the middle of nowhere since you’ve brought your home with you. The camping essentials are still just as necessary when you’re out in your RV as when you’re out in a tent. Here’s what you absolutely need to bring with you if you’re going to be spending a weekend in the woods:
A Flashlight and Plenty of Batteries
It’s a simple matter of safety that you’re going to want to bring a light and enough batteries to last you. You never know what will happen.
Plenty of Clean Water
Even if your campsite has a water source, it’s a good idea to bring several gallons of your own. If the water source at the campsite gets contaminated somehow, then you need to have a fallback plan.
Dry Towels
Dry towels really are endlessly useless when camping. From using them for bedding to drying off to laying out a picnic lunch on them, towels are endlessly versatile little lifesavers.
A First Aid Kit
This goes without saying, but it’s important enough to say it anyways: you need to bring a first aid kit and make sure that it’s well stocked before you head out. The kit needs to contain bandages and disinfectant as well as pain pills, smelling salts and medical tape. Be prepared.
Canned Food
Chances are you’ve brought a lot of hot dogs and marshmallows with you, but if you find yourself with a flat tire or needing to wait an extra day in the woods for any reason, you’ll need to eat, so bring canned food just in case you get stuck.
When camping, one’s motto should be Safety First. Camping is supposed to be fun, but it’s hard to enjoy yourself if you’re not prepared, so just make sure that you have all the supplies you need in your recreational vehicle.
Route 66 isn’t what it used to be. In the heyday of the American highway, it was a tradition to take your family along the famous Route 66, stopping for burgers, taking in a movie, staying in a low cost motel, taking photos at the famous landmarks. In fact, the iconic road trip as seen in a lot of American films still uses Route 66 iconography as the travelers pass by picturesque desert landscapes in the Southwest and send those postcards with the big “Welcome, from Albuquerque!” text.
Although Route 66 isn’t as lively as it once was, it’s still worth traveling for the lifelong Minnesota RVer who wants to take in an important part of American road culture, and while you’re making the journey, you’ll want to make a stop in Gallup, New Mexico.
Gallup was one of the thriving capitals of the Route 66 empire, and a drive through the city shows you a wide variety of beautiful sites. The facades of old movie theaters and restaurants and cafes all have a certain ghost-town charm to them, a bittersweet nostalgic feel, as if you can sense the presence of thousands of fellow travelers who’ve been here before.
Gallup is also the home of the world’s most popular Wal-Mart, as it serves as a shopping center for people from more than a hundred miles away in towns like Bluewater and Thoreau where it’s hard to find a big grocery store. This is useful for any RVer who needs to restock on the essentials or take a day to relax in the parking lot.
Gallup also puts you a stone’s throw away from Albuquerque and Santa Fe if you want to enjoy the whole New Mexico experience, and the state is full of great RV parks and camping sites. The real joy of New Mexico, however, is simply driving through the tremendous landscapes. A few hours on the road in N.M. and you’ll feel what it truly means to be an American nomad.
In 1903, Horatio Nelson Jackson and his driving partner, Sewall Crocker, completed the first transcontinental drive in an automobile from San Francisco to New York City. This was no mean feat. They drove over roads that weren’t “roads” in any modern sense of the word. With few available maps, it took 63 days, 12 hours and 30 minutes to complete. But Nelson and Crocker also had a very special driving companion. His name was Bud. A sprightly Staffordshire Terrier clad in handsome road goggles, Bud was their tireless compatriot and friend, making the long, grueling journey even more memorable.
Since that historic road trip, our dogs have crisscrossed America with us. Would we have it any other way? Nope! So let’s blaze some RV trails this spring, and take along our best four-legged friends (the family and two-legged friends can come too). There are some great, pet-friendly RV camping spots and hiking trails waiting to be discovered.
Minnesota’s state parks offer miles and miles of hiking trails, from gentle to challenging to everything in between, so do your research to choose the right paths for you and your dogs. Be sure to read through the state park guidelines on where pets can go and how to manage them. Tip: Start with Jay Cooke State Park or Grand Portage State Park in the North Shore region for the diversity in activities for family and pets.
And, for both you and your pets, don’t forget to pack plenty of water and sunscreen (yes, pets can get sunburned too, and many vets recommend a zinc oxide). Be sure to choose a sunscreen that’s safe for your pets.
Finally, you’ll want a few snacks for whatever hiking, swimming, or camping experience you’re planning. There are pet bakeries throughout Minnesota, like Sunny’s Canine Creations in Saint Paul, and you can find all kinds of goodies when you’re in the neighborhood. Make some great Minnesota RV travel memories with your best friend this spring!
With the popularity of road trip food shows such as Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives, it makes perfect sense to plan your next Minnesota motorhomeroad trip around your tastebuds.
Minnesota has some very special chocolate “destinations” on the map. Trek across the state in your RV and discover Mademoiselle Miel, which creates one-of-a-kind artisan chocolates available throughout the Twin Cities. Or, visit Chocolates Plus in Bemidji, which specializes in new and old favorites. Take a spin on the Internet and find tons of delicious options. It’s time to indulge those chocolate cravings!
Don’t forget those roadside attractions. It’s a safe bet that you can find homemade fudge and other wonderful local creations at even the simplest local market or gift shop. Don’t forget that those sweet, local fruits on the roadside always pair well with chocolate.
Once you’re happily ensconced at your campsite, think s’mores. They’re everyone’s favorite and for good reason. Let each family member choose a special extra ingredient, like caramel or peanut butter, to add your own family spin. You can even liven up the occasion with a family storytelling contest or sing-a-long for who gets the honor of the last s’more. You’ll either be in stitches, or sitting in awe of your various talents!
In case you decide to add a chocolate destination to your next cross-country RV adventure trip, don’t miss Ethel M in Henderson, Nevada, Ghirardelli in San Francisco, California or Hershey’s Chocolate World in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Chocolate can give a new twist to seeing America. Have a sweet trip!
One of the fun parts of the RV lifestyle is being able to spend your holidays on the road, but still enjoying the comforts of home. You can always just pick up a corned beef sandwich and some beer for a smaller holiday, like St. Patrick’s day, but conducting an Easter Egg Hunt or roasting a whole ham in your RV can be tricky. Here are some ideas to make Easter work even when you’re on the road:
1. Bunnyspotting
A fun way to spend the afternoon, if you have rabbits, hares or bunnies in the area where you’re camping or driving, is to count how many of the long-eared fellows you can spot. You can whip out the digital camera and snap some shots or just have a contest to see who can count the most.
2. Plastic Egg Hunt
The problem with having an egg hunt in your RV is that if you forget one, you wind up with an egg rotting somewhere in your home and having no idea where it is because you hid it really well on purpose. Or you might get an egg rolling around the floor and getting stepped on and mashed into the carpet. A plastic egg hunt is a good alternative. You can get plastic eggs and hide candy and toys in them in your RV and around your campsite.
3. Spring Beer
For the adults, what’s the best part about Spring? Obviously the seasonal beer (well, if you are a beer drinker, that is). There are a lot of great beers and wines that you can only get in the Spring, as well as beers and wines that you can only get locally. Have an afternoon sampling the local pale ales and lagers with a Spring theme while catching a few fish or just taking in the nice Spring air with a brown sugar ham sandwich.
Easter is largely thought of as a children’s holiday, but there’s fun to be had no matter your age. Take the time to enjoy yourself this Easter.
Been longing for a little adventure? Fan of scavenger hunts or The Amazing Race? Want to evoke the spirits of the pirates without the actual plundering and pillaging? If so, grab your GPS (your smart phone will do), load up your Minnesota travel trailer or RV, and hit the road for the very latest in treasure hunts–Geocaching! Check out this simple video on “What is Geocaching?” to get the lowdown on the family-friendly craze.
The beauty of geocaching is in its simplicity. You can plan an easy day trip, take a scenic detour, or build an entire vacation around it from wherever you’ve decided to park the motorhome, because there are over 2 million geocaches worldwide! Geocaching.com is your first stop for finding geocaches on the go, plus they provide a rundown of upcoming events in your state, latest caches hidden and latest trackable items. It’s a goldmine of geocaching tips and tricks.
Geocaching is sure to be tons of fun for the whole family and a great activity with something to engage everyone. You can find the geocaches or hide some—think high-tech hide and seek. Imagine the fun you’ll have picking out the perfect geocache that represents your family. What might you include? Campfire recipes, a stuffed animal, a local rock or gem?
Our state parks are getting in on the action with geocaching guides and special programs and events, like the Geocaching Avian Adventure. Many parks even have GPS kits to get you started. The “sport” has even gotten so big that there are local groups to join and a Minnesota Geocaching Association! Check out their page to learn more about special events and campouts, and which enterprising geocachers have found the most treasure.
Whether you stay close to home or find a far off trail while road-tripping in your new or used RV, geocaching will provide some lasting memories of your shared family adventure!
Renting makes more sense if you don’t have the time to use an RV more than once or twice a year. Many people who are working get a week of vacation; and then they have to try to schedule their vacation around the time kids are out of school. That is not always possible since everyone can’t take the same week off from work. If you do manage to get that treasured vacation so you can do something with the entire family, an RV dealership Minneapolis can help make your dream vacation come true.
RV Rental Types
You can choose from four types of RVs for your RV rental vacation. All have the comforts of home except for popup campers.
Class A: Class A RVs have all the comforts of home, including a full kitchen, bath with a shower or a showerand tub, entertainment center and central heat and air. Class A RVs are built on a specially constructed chassis.
Class C: Class C RVs are also well-equipped with all the comforts of home. Unlike a Class A, which generallyhas flat front, the Class C has a cab over. The cab over could be a bunk, entertainment center or storage. Class C RVs are built on a van chassis.
Travel Trailers: Travel trailers have many different floor plans and sizes. They are lighter so vehicles with a low tow rating can pull them. You also have a choice of a park trailer model, which is larger than a typical travel trailer. All models have at least one bathroom, a bedroom, extra bunks or sofas that convert to bunks, a full galley and many have entertainment centers.
Popup Trailers or Tent Trailers: Tent trailers fold down into a small, low towable trailer. When you open a tenttrailer it is tall enough to walk in and two bunks – usually queen size – pop up in the front and rear. Most have a cubby where you can store a portable toilet, but do not have a full bathroom. They also have a small “portable” kitchen. If you prefer tent camping but want to be off the ground, a tent trailer is a perfect option.
Visit our RV dealership St.Cloud, to walk through several of our rentals to help determine which one is best for your family trip – or fishing trip.
If you’ve always wanted to take an RV vacation, but just can’t swing the purchase of an RV, you can take that vacation now. Pleasureland RV Center has RV rentals – you can rent anything from a Class A motorhome to a popup trailer, so start planning your dream RV trip today. If you are not sure what type of RV would be best for you, visit Pleasureland, an RV dealership Minneapolis to tour our rental RVs.
When you rent an RV, you can afford more vacation. Not only that, but you are not constrained by schedules for flights, the return of rental cars and other constraints. You can simply hop in with the entire family or a bunch of friends and enjoy your trip. You can stop when and where you want, cook home-cooked meals and stay in a place as long as you want to stay, especially if you choose to camp on private land.
The best rental depends on you and your family or friends. If you prefer tent camping, but would rather be off the ground and have some amenities, a popup camper might fit the bill for you. If you prefer to have all the amenities at your fingertips, including an entertainment center and a hot shower, you should choose a motorhome or a travel trailer. If you want to go ice fishing, the ice house is the best rental.
Pleasureland RV has several different models to rent. If you need to sleep 10 people and don’t have a tow vehicle, ask about our Class A or Class C motorhomes. If you would rather tow a trailer so you can have your truck to drive around your vacation spot (and you don’t want to tow a car behind a motorhome), choose a travel trailer.
Pleasureland RV offers free mileage to certain popular destinations, including Yellowstone, Orlando and the Great Smokey Mountains. Ask about our free mileage rentals when you choose your RV.
When you are on your RV vacation, be sure to take plenty of pictures so you can share your trip with us when you return.
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.
