August 19th, 2014 -
Kay Gaensler/Flickr Creative Commons
Road trips are filled with the excitement of arriving at your destination, but there’s a lot of time to occupy between leaving home and your arrival. And that’s when a perfectly good road trip can start to go sour. Keep your next RV road trip exciting from start to finish by incorporating these fun road trip activities into your drive.
Get Your Questions Ready
You don’t need fancy hand-held games or DVD players to keep your kids occupied on the road. And cruising in your RV is the perfect time to engage them in educational conversations to pass the time. Keep your little ones entertained by creating a list of roughly 10 questions before you hit the road, such “What is your favorite season, and why?” Let everyone in the family answer the question, and prepare to be amazed at how much your answers vary.
Keep Your Eyes Peeled
Spotting out-of-the-ordinary animals, signs and other sites along your route can become an entertaining and educational experience. Suggest that every member of your family shouts out, “That’s not something we see every day,” when they spot something they’ve never seen before. If the entire road trip seems like a bit much, try playing the game for 30 minute intervals.
Road Trip Bingo
Road Trip Bingo has become such a popular road trip game that free bingo boards are available online. Be sure to print off plenty of copies of the board, because you’ll want to mark off the squares with a pen or pencil to reduce the mess of using real bingo chips. If you have time to laminate the boards before you go, dry erase markers allow you to play game after game without creating too much waste.
Get Your Road Trip Games at PleasureLand
Here at PleasureLand RV Center, we’re more than just your home for purchasing new and used RVs in Minnesota. We’re your one-stop shop for RV sales, service, repairs ands parts too. And our online parts store is fully stocked with all of the camping supplies and games you need to enjoy your time getting from point A to point B.
August 5th, 2014 -
Image by Matthew Paulson (Flickr Creative Commons)
From music festivals and baseball games to fishing, shopping and city life, Minnesota is full of non-stop adventure for travelers. Fire up your RV as summer comes to a close and cruise up to Minnesota for some of the best excitement August has to offer.
The 26th Annual Bayfront Blues Festival
Don’t miss the much-anticipated 26th Annual Bayfront Blues Festival — the Midwest’s largest outdoor blues festival — in Duluth, Minn. The festival will feature regional, national and world-famous international blues acts from Aug. 8 through Aug 10., so visit the festival website and get your tickets today.
See What’s New at the Mall of America
With the new Radisson Blu hotel, tons of new stores and exciting special exhibits, the Mall of America is one of the most happening places in the state. Take your kids to the “Barbie: The Dreamhouse Experience,” or test your crime-solving skills at “CSI: The Experience.” And don’t forget about the new Midwest Music Museum, Toddler Tuesdays and all of the other excitement the Mall of America has to offer.
Catch Some Fish
Fishing is one of Minnesota’s favorite past times, and with over 10,000 lakes to choose from, the fishing options are endless. Sunfish, crappies, bullheads and catfish are continuously swimming in the waters, so don’t forget to bring your boat on your Minnesota adventure.
Don’t have a boat? Head out on a charter fishing excursion or hire one of the state’s many knowledgeable fishing guides.
Root for the Home Team
There’s no better way to end a great summer than with a trip to Target Field to watch the Minnesota Twins in action. The ballpark offers breathtaking views of the Minneapolis skyline, and you can be in the heart of downtown enjoying the city life just minutes after the game.
Stop and See Us at Pleasureland
No trip to Minnesota is complete without a stop at one of the PleasureLand RV Centers. We’re your home for the highest-quality new and used RVs for the best prices in the industry. And if you’re just looking for a few extra RV or camping supplies for your Minnesota getaway, our parts department is fully stocked with everything you need.
July 22nd, 2014 -
If you decide to go RVing in Canada this year, be sure to visit at least one of the top camping spots. Before you leave, be sure you have everything you need, including warm and cool weather clothing and your passports.
Stop by PleasureLand RV to pick up any accessories you might need for your trip. You can pick up space-saving accessories, outdoor cooking accessories, chemicals for the black water tank and replacement parts for the RV.
Kluane National Park and Reserve, located in the Yukon Territory, is one of the largest protected areas in the world. The park also features part of Kluane Lake, which is the largest lake in the Territory. Watch the beautiful sunsets on the lake or look west to see the Saint Elias mountain range.
Pacific Rim National Park, located in British Columbia, is another “can’t miss” location. The national park is located on Vancouver Island and features Long Beach and the West Coast Trail. Don’t wait too long, as it is pretty rainy in the Fall, but during the summer, you should be able to get several clear days to go exploring.
Banff National Park, located about an hour and a half from Calgary, is Canada’s oldest national park. It has tons of sights to see, including Lake Louise’s aquamarine water and the Ice Fields Parkway. Because of the mountains and the lake, it is considered one of the best places to take your RV.
Douglas Provincial Park, located in Saskatchewan, features cacti, beaches and tons of fish. This is the perfect place to go for those who want to combine fishing and hiking. Since you can see various landscapes, this is one of the best places to get pictures.
Spruce Woods is a newer park – it was established in 1970. You’ll see sandy dunes and can walk on tons of walking trails. This park also rents yurts if you want to sleep outside of your RV for a change. Additionally, the camping sites are very private.
Before you head out on a long trip, stop by PleasureLand RV to pick up any accessories you need, make sure your RV is in good working order and grab parts, chemicals, RV toilet paper and other items that you may need for this trip.
—
Image by Carlos Greene via Flickr Creative Commons
June 27th, 2014 -
When you take a long road trip, you may want to look at the scenery, especially if you’ve never been through the area. However, the kids will definitely be bored! It is good to have some activities planned to keep them occupied – or at least have something for them to do.
If you are traveling in a motorized coach, it’s a bit easier to keep the kids occupied – they can play games at the dinette or they can take a nap on the bunks. If you are hauling a travel trailer or fifth wheel, it’s not going to be that easy. Before you go, make sure you have something that will keep the kids occupied – that is as important as stopping at Pleasure Land RV before you leave so you can have the RV checked and so you can pick up accessories you may need.
- Play road games such as the alphabet game, the license plate game, yellow car or even a story-telling game where a person says a sentence, then another person has to add to it. You can also include I Spy and variations of any of these games to keep them interesting.
- Bring hand-held gaming modules such as the Nintendo 3DS or PlayStation Portable.
- If you have games on your tablet or phone, you can also keep the kids occupied with that if the games don’t require WiFi.
- Catch up on your reading. Kids can also catch up on reading. If they brought homework with them, they can also study.
- Be sure to pack a lunch – or stop someplace to eat. If the kids are getting grouchy, taking a break from driving – even if it’s eating a sandwich in the car – might calm them down. And, with a carbohydrate high, they just might crash for a couple hours!
Keeping everyone happy while on a trip is the key to sanity. Kids tend to get bored easily with one thing – be sure to bring several things for them to do or be prepared to play games with them.
As always, stop by Pleasure Land RV before you head out on your road trip to make sure the RV is working properly, to have the engine and transmission checked on a motorized coach, and to pick up any accessories you may need.
—
Image by AnneCN via Flickr Creative Commons
June 5th, 2014 -
If you are taking your vacation during the summer and have the time to drive, load up your RV and take a trip to Sevierville, Tennessee. The trip takes about 16 hours if you go through Chicago. If you want to skirt Chicago, it takes about 17 ½ hours. On the way down, take your time and visit some destinations on your way.
Before you leave, stop by PleasureLand RV to have your RV service or checked since this is quite a long drive. Also be sure to pick up any accessories you may need for your trip.
Once you get to Sevierville, you have numerous places to camp, including places in Pigeon Forge. Places include River Plantation RV Resort, Riverside RV Park and Resort, Up the Creek RV Camp and Riveredge RV Park. Since Sevierville and the surrounding area is a popular destination, it is advisable to make reservations before you leave.
Once there, you’ll find tons of shopping and activities, including hiking, fishing, boating, swimming and more. Don’t forget to spend a couple of days at Dollywood, even if you don’t have children.
Other nearby places include Lynchburg, Tennessee, home of Jack Daniels Distillery. If you take I-40 West, you’ll pass close to Oak Ridge, America’s Secret City and Muddy Pond, which is just outside of Monterey. Muddy Pond is a Mennonite community that has a leather shop, outdoor furniture maker, general store, and, if you visit in the Fall, you can see how to make sorghum the “old-timey” way.
Also in the area – within a 1- to 3-hour drive from Monterey, you’ll find tons of state parks – some that offer RV camping – such as Burgess Falls, Sunset Marina, Caney Creek and more. If you want to go about 2 hours out of your way, you can take 101 out of Crossville to Fall Creek Falls State Park to see some of the best waterfalls in the area.
Dale Hollow Lake, accessible from many points including Sunset Marina and East Port Marina offers big fishing opportunities – the lake is huge. You can rent pontoon boats, bass boats, ski boats, house boats and jet skis at both marinas. Sunset Marina is about an hour from Monterey while East Port Marina is about 45 minutes from Monterey.
Before you leave for this large trip, stop by PleasureLand RV for service and accessories, and be sure to visit our Facebook page to tell us about your trip.
May 21st, 2014 -
After one of the coldest winters on record, summer is being welcomed with open arms here in Minnesota, and that means there are tons of exciting outdoor events and activities for Minnesota citizens and tourists alike. Fire up your RV and travel to some of these unforgettable summer events throughout our gorgeous state, and you’re guaranteed to forget about winter in no time.
Memorial Weekend on the North Shore
Head over to the gorgeous town of Grand Marais for an action-packed Memorial Weekend full of live music, photography and a wide variety of arts, crafts and activities. Not only are most of the events at the Grand Marais Memorial Weekend on the North Shore absolutely free; you can spend your spare time dining, hiking, fishing and indulging in the natural beauty of Grand Marais.
Willie Walleye Day
Mark your calendar and head to Baudette on June 7, for the famous Willie Walleye Day. Get some exercise in the morning with the Willie Walleye 5K run and walk or just indulge in the live entertainment, countless food vendors, craft and merchandise vendors, kids activities, community garage sales and so much more.
Dinner and Leaf Cruises
Spice up your summer with a trip to Taylors Falls for a romantic evening cruise through the Dalles of the St. Croix. Enjoy a narrated tour of the scenic Dalles on the leaf cruise or just take in the live music and indulge in the delicious buffet on the dinner cruise. Dinner cruises are available every Saturday evening throughout the summer from 6:45 p.m. to 9:45 p.m., and leaf cruises board on Saturdays at 6:15 p.m. to return at 9:15 p.m., so call ahead and make your reservation for a romantic Taylors Falls getaway today.
Get Your Summer RV at PleasureLand
There’s no better way to enjoy the warm summer months than on the road in a new RV from your local Minnesota RV dealer — PleasureLand RV Center. And if you’re already in the RV of your dreams this season, stop in and shop our extensive RV parts and accessories store to make your summer camping excursions even better than ever.
—
Image by Scott Smithson via Flickr Creative Commons
May 13th, 2014 -
There’s something romantic about camping, and with gorgeous campgrounds in the wilderness, on the beach and even in California’s Wine Country, you simply can’t go wrong with a trip to one of these romantic camping destinations.
Moab, Utah
The breathtaking natural scenery of Moab is undeniably romantic, and when it’s coupled with all of the adventures the region has to offer, it’s an ideal romantic camping destination for adventurous couples. From half-day hikes in the picturesque Arches National Park to multi-day hiking and biking excursions, a trip to Moab can be the perfect place to camp out and experience new adventures together.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
With 185 canals weaving through the city, a gorgeous riverwalk and campgrounds just steps from the sea, a trip to the beach could be the romantic vacation of your dreams. For a romantic resort-like feel in the comfort of your RV, reserve a spot at Paradise Island RV Resort and spend your days lounging by the pool or relaxing on the beach just a few minutes away.
Napa Valley, California
One of the most romantic places in the country — California’s Napa Valley — is the perfect getaway for those who love indulging in delicious foods and premium wines in a scenic, outdoors setting. Reserve one day of your camping trip for the Napa Valley Wine Train — an 18-mile train tour through Napa’s picturesque rolling hills and vineyards featuring fine wines and incredible food.
Napa Valley is home to a wide variety of campgrounds and RV parks ranging from upscale resorts to primitive tent camping sites. Tradewinds RV Park of Vallejo offers convenient access to the Napa Valley Wine Train and all of Napa’s favorite tourist destinations as well as a short drive to one of California’s most romantic cities — San Francisco.
Before You Go
Before you hit the road for your romantic RV vacation this spring or summer, stop in and see us at PleasureLand RV Center. We’re more than your local Minnesota RV dealership — each of our four locations offer all of the RV parts, accessories and upgrades you need to make your RV lifestyle the best it can be.
—
Image by Wally Gobetz via Flickr Creative Commons
April 23rd, 2014 -
The RV lifestyle is full of adventure, excitement, and exploration, and while all of the outdoor activities can certainly bring your family closer together, there are also tons of indoor activities that can too. Consider some of these fun games and activities for the down time spent inside your RV, and you’ll never fear rainy days or long hours on the road again.
Hold an RV Treasure Hunt
Turn down time into fun time with a treasure hunt right inside your RV. Create a variety of clues to hide throughout your RV or even around the campsite if the weather is nice. Make it a competition with a small prize going to the winner, or have the kids follow the clues as a team and reward everyone with a prize at the end.
Create a Special Meal Together
Whether it’s a festive Mexican taco night, your very own RV pizzeria or just your family’s favorite meal — cooking a dinner together can be the perfect way to bond on a rainy day or during that down time after an adventure. If you’ve got an entire day to fill, decorate your RV with your dinner’s theme before you start cooking. And don’t forget to get your kids involved in the easier aspects of cooking (stirring, plating, etc.)
Turn Your RV Into a Movie Theater
Instead of simply turning out the lights and popping a movie into the DVD player, set your RV up as a movie theater for rainy days or those long movie nights. Make sure you have movie-theater-style popcorn and treats on hand, and if you’ll be making a day of it, stock up on a variety of movies you’ve never seen. If possible, position your RV furniture in rows in front of the television to resemble movie theater style seating.
Indoor and Outdoor Games at PleasureLand
Getting tired of the old board games you’ve had in your RV for years? Check out our huge selection of indoor and outdoor camping games at our online parts store or stop in and see us at PleasureLand RV Center — your local Minnesota RV dealer — today.
—
Image by heath_bar via Flickr Creative Commons
March 14th, 2014 -
It’s time to put the neck warmers and heavy jackets away and hit the slopes in lighter gear. Spring skiing and snowboarding season is here, and some of the best ski resorts for spring snow are just a short RV trip away.
Lusten Mountains Ski Area, Minnesota
You don’t have to travel across the country for an exciting weekend of spring skiing, Lusten Mountains stays open until the end of April and offers especially good deals this time of year. Mark your calendar for the Mountain Meltdown party on April 12 and 13, which features a two-day music festival on the mountain, a beer garden, barbeque and two-for-one tickets. And if you’ve got a few days off over Easter, ski up to three days at half price from April 18 through April 20.
Snowbird, Utah
Go home with a goggle tan after your spring vacation to Snowbird in Utah. Not only are tickets cheaper in spring, but Snowbird’s deep powder winter attitude turns into a party one this time of year. With weekly live music on the deck, plenty of cold drinks and skiers and snowboarders making turns in shorts and t-shirts, you can’t help but have a good time at Snowbird.
Mt. Bachelor, Oregon
With some of the best spring snow and events for the whole family, Mt. Bachelor is one of the best spring skiing and snowboarding destinations in the country for those who are willing to make the drive. Mt. Bachelor even has special unlimited spring passes available for rates as low as $149 for adults and even lower for kids. And if you time your vacation right, you can be on the mountain for the 2014 Springtacular Concert Series, the Woodward Mini-Camp and a number of competitions, demos and other family-friendly events.
Don’t forget to stop by PleasureLand RV Center — your local Minnesota RV dealer — before you hit the road to your spring skiing destination. Whether you’re looking for a new or used RV or just need a little work done on your current motorhome, travel trailer or fifth wheel, we’ve got all of your RV lifestyle needs covered.
—
Photo by snowbird (Flickr Creative Commons)
March 12th, 2014 -
Eating healthy on the road can seem nearly impossible with a small, galley-style kitchen and fast food billboards luring you in with mouth-watering photos of cheeseburgers and french fries. But March is National Nutrition Month, which means it’s the perfect time to kick those bad habits and rethink your meals on the go.
Stop at Grocery Stores
With all of the salad bars and fresh market options popping up in grocery stores, you’re better off pulling over for grocery store signs than fast food ones. Hit the salad bar, buy fresh veggies and hummus for snacking or stock your RV with delicious local fruits. When you’re feeling full on healthy foods, you won’t be as tempted by burgers and fries.
Pack Your RV Fridge and Pantry Before You Leave
While it can be exciting to try the local cuisine everywhere you travel, eating meals out can turn an inexpensive trip into a pricey one. Pack healthy snacks like dried fruit, almonds, hard-boiled eggs and veggies, so you don’t skip any meals and end up binge-eating later.
Drink Plenty of Water
Not only do gas-station stops make you feel inclined to buy sodas and sugary drinks, but the interior of your RV can be very dehydrating as well. Drinking water will deplete your junk-food cravings as well as replenish your body’s interior and exterior after long days in the heat. A couple of glasses of water can make you rethink the McDonald’s stop you were sure you needed to take.
Pre-Cook Meals Before You Go
Take your planning a step above packing the fridge and the cooler, and cook some meat and veggies before you hit the road. After a long day of driving, you may feel too exhausted to cook and are likely to turn to restaurants or fast food for dinner. When you’re properly prepared, you can heat up your pre-cooked tasty and healthy meal as quickly as you can drive through.
Before you hit the road this camping season, stop by PleasureLand RV Center and have your vehicle checked out by our certified RV technicians. And if you’re in the market for a new or used RV, we’re your one-stop Minnesota RV dealer.
—
Photo by epSos.de (Flickr Creative Commons)
|
|
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.
|
