April 22nd, 2017 -
Join the community of Brainerd and beyond for the annual Run for the Lakes event. Since its inception in 2008, the run has grown and evolved. Last year, the event drew over 1500 runners. The Run for the Lakes is organized by volunteers from the Brainerd Jaycees, community members, and local businesses. All proceeds go to benefit various non-profit organizations and charities, including.
- Brainerd Amateur Radio
- Brainerd Lakes Area Women of Today
- Brainerd Public School Foundation
- Brainerd Restoration
- Baxter Kiwanis
- BMX Club
- Crow Wing County Mounted Patrol
- Crow Wing County Beyond the Yellow Ribbon
- First Lutheran Church
- Forestview Middle School Power Packs
- Junior Achievement
- Lakes Area Habitat for Humanity
- LAYSA
- Lowell School
- Nisswa Parks & Rec
- Nisswa Fire Department
- Nothing But Nets
- St. Francis School
- Teen Challenge
- Verge Ministries
Registration is open now and the event is scheduled for April 28 and 29. April 29 is packet pick-up, the kids 1K, and the 5K fun run. April 29 offers the 10K, half marathon, full marathon, and relay marathon.
There’s also a zeroK for those who haven’t trained for a run but still wish to support the event.
Whether you participate in a run or do the zeroK, you’ll get race swag.
Visit PleasureLand RV Center
Stop by PleasureLand RV Center for all of your RV needs, including sales, service, parts, and accessories.
April 18th, 2017 -
Next in our series of fantastic Minnesota state parks, we’ve got Gooseberry Falls State Park. It’s definitely worth a look the next time you’re on the road in your motorhome or travel trailer.
Gooseberry Falls State Park is known as the gateway to the North Shore. It possesses spectacular waterfalls, a river gorge, pristine Lake Superior shoreline, plenty of log and stone structures built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, and north woods wildlife.
Hike or ski to see the Fifth Falls through a forest of evergreens, aspen, and birch, and enjoy camping in modern campsites, picnicking, and relaxing along the Lake Superior shoreline or the Gooseberry River.
Listen to the thunderous roar of the Upper, Middle and Lower Falls of the Gooseberry River as it plummets through a rocky gorge. Watch for waves, ships, or the moon rise on Lake Superior from an ancient lava flow known as the Picnic Flow.
To get the most out of your visit, stop by the Joseph N. Alexander Visitor Center where you can find park information, interpretive displays, a park video, Nature Store, and more. Don’t miss the Gateway Plaza for outdoor interpretive signs on area resources and history.
The park is open daily from 9am to 4pm. You can contact them at 3206 Highway 61 East, Two Harbors, Minnesota.
To get to the park from the town of Two Harbors, follow State Highway 61 northeast approximately 13 miles to the park.
Visit PleasureLand RV Center
Stop by PleasureLand RV Center today before you hit the road to any destination, such as Gooseberry Falls State Park. Tour a motorhome or travel trailer and find the one that’s perfect for you or schedule some maintenance service with our PleasureLand RV Center technicians.
April 13th, 2017 -
Named in honor of President Theodore Roosevelt, who founded our modern national park system, Theodore Roosevelt National Park is located in the badlands of North Dakota.
Teddy Roosevelt had an intimate relationship with the land that would one day bear his name. He came to the Dakota Territory in 1883 when he was a skinny young man and left a little older and a lot tougher. His adventures in the rugged landscape of North Dakota forever altered his life and, ultimately, the course of the nation.
The park offers visitors scenic drives, over 100 miles of foot and horse trails, wildlife viewing, and opportunities for back country hiking and camping. There are three developed campgrounds for use: Juniper Campground, Cottonwood Campground, and the Roundup Group Horse Campground.
Wildlife viewing is especially popular, as the park is home to many native species, including bison, coyotes, cougars, feral horses, badgers, elk, bighorn sheep, white-tailed deer, mule deer, prairie dogs, golden eagles, sharp-tailed grouse, and wild turkeys.
The park also preserves the history and artifacts of Roosevelt’s time there, including the cabin he lived in and the lands his ranch occupied.
Visit PleasureLand RV Center
Stop by PleasureLand RV Center today before you hit the road to any destination, such as Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Tour a motorhome or travel trailer and find the one that’s perfect for you or schedule some maintenance service with our PleasureLand RV Center technicians.
April 11th, 2017 -
Now that you’ve purchased your first RV, it’s time for the learning curve. Since this is the first time you’ll be heading out in an RV – unless you went RVing with your parents – you may want some tips to make your trip less stressful. The first time you forget something, it’s not so bad, but by the time you’re three days into a trip and find out you didn’t do something before you left – like fill the propane tanks – or you forgot something else – like the chemicals for the toilet – you’re going to blow your top.
About a week before you leave for your trip, make sure all systems are working properly. Check the plumbing, the hot water heater, the fridge, stove, heat and air conditioning unit. If you have a brand new RV you shouldn’t have any trouble with these things, but it’s always better to be safe rather than sorry. If you are uncomfortable checking things yourself or if you do find a problem, bring your RV to the service center at PleasureLand RV Center.
To check the stove and possibly the heat, you’ll need propane, so this time would be a good time to ensure that both bottles are filled. Remember to turn the tanks off when you are done testing as it’s not safe to drive around with open propane tanks.
Make a list of things to pack. When you list your clothing, be sure to bring season-appropriate clothing. Don’t forget boots and rain gear. If you are camping in the winter, be sure to pack extra clothing. If you are going to be outside in the snow, you’ll want something warm to change into.
When you make your food list, it is easier to plan meals rather than to just make a list. This way, you are sure to not forget something for a specific meal. If you plan on making something complicated, use the recipe to add to your food list.
Since freezer space is limited in most RVs, buy meat as you normally do, but remove it from the store packaging. Pack it in zippered freezer bags – you’ll fit more into the freezer. Pack a cooler with ice for meat, soda and other perishables you will use during the first couple of days – you’ll have more space in the fridge and freezer. If you pack the meat in the cooler while it’s frozen, it will stay cold for a couple days. It may even be frozen on the second day.
Stop by PleasureLand RV Center for any accessories or parts you may need for your trip or to get your RV checked before you leave.
April 6th, 2017 -
The Midwest is one of America’s most underrated regions. Lakes, vast forests, rivers, sand dunes and so many other natural wonders await those who venture to the Great Lakes states and beyond. The following are the top 10 campsites you’ll find in this must-visit neck of the woods.
1. Wilderness State Park Campground — Carp Lake, Michigan
Enjoy 26 miles of rocky shoreline, stargazing, 20 miles of hiking trails and more at this lakeside Michigan campground.
2. Eugene T. Mahoney State Park — Ashland, Nebraska
Non-stop family fun is on tap at the Eugene T. Mahoney State Park, which features nearly 150 RV sites and a water park with a wave pool, slides and more.
3. Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park Campground — Middlebrook, Missouri
Camp at the foot of Goggins Mountain and spend your days swimming in the shut-ins formed by the Black River.
4. Hocking Hills State Park — Laurelville, Ohio
Discover caves, gorges and waterfalls just a short hike from the comfort of your RV.
5. Brown County State Park — Nashville, Indiana
Indiana’s largest state park is littered fishing spots, hiking trails and areas to swim, bike play.
6. Hayward KOA — Hayward, Wisconsin
Let the kids run wild on the 300-foot waterslide, mini golf course, playgrounds and more.
7. Peninsula State Park — Door County, Wisconsin
This park’s 468 campgrounds are seconds from beautiful bluffs, a lighthouse, the beach, bike trails and a golf course.
8. Indiana Dunes State park — Chesterton, Indiana
The sand dunes are the main attraction to this fun-filled state park, but campers also enjoy hiking trails, birdwatching and more.
9. Blue Bell Campground — Custer, South Dakota
This Custer State Park campground is known for its nearby rock formations, vistas, brooks and buffalo.
10. Grand Marais Recreation Area — Grand Marais, Minnesota
The Lake Superior shoreline, quaint shops and delicious dining options are at your doorstep.
Visit PleasureLand RV Center
Don’t forget to stop in and see us at PleasureLand RV Center when you’re cruising throughout the Midwest in your RV this spring and summer.
April 4th, 2017 -
Grand Teton National Park is one of America’s best National Parks, ranking alongside Yosemite, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Acadia, and Glacier National Parks. The best part is, you can actually get a two for one special when visiting Grand Teton… Yellowstone is actually part of the same park system and is only 10 miles away!
History
The park gets its name from 19th-century French-speaking trappers, who named the mountains les trois tetons, which was later shorted to tetons. The highest peak, Grand Teton, is where the park gets its name. At 13775 feet tall, Grand Teton is almost 850 feet taller than the second highest peak in the range, Mount Owen. The area was prominent among fur trappers through much of the 1800s.
The area was preserved as a National Park in 1929. The adjacent Jackson Hole Valley region was later declared a National Monument in 1943, which was later abolished in 1950 and absorbed into the National Park.
Geography and Wildlife
Besides the obvious mountain range in the park, visitors can also expect to encounter the Snake River, numerous lakes (including the 15 mile Jackson Lake), and a dozen or so small glaciers.
The park supports an almost pristine ecosystem. Animals and plants that have existed since prehistoric times still flourish in the park. There are over a thousand native plants, dozens of mammals, hundreds of birds, and more than a dozen fish species. Though less common, there are also some reptiles and amphibians.
Activities and Recreation
The park is a popular destination for a variety of sports, including mountaineering, hiking, fishing, and camping.
Mountaineers will have numerous climbing options that range numerous skill levels. Hikers have over 200 miles of trails that they can explore. Fishing in the region is world-renowned for its trout fishing.
Visit PleasureLand RV Center
Stop by PleasureLand RV Center to tour a new or used RV that’s perfect for your trip to Grand Teton National Park. If you’ve already got a rig, but want to make sure that it’s in good condition for a road trip, let PleasureLand RV Center look it over for you!
March 29th, 2017 -
Continuing the series on Minnesota’s state parks, we’ve got Whitewater State Park up next. Sprawled across 2,733 acres, the park is one of Minnesota’s most popular parks, attracting over 250,000 annual visitors and over 50,000 overnight stays.
Dakota Indians named the river Whitewater because it turned milky white in the spring as high water eroded light-colored clay deposits along its banks. In 1851, a treaty opened up most of southern Minnesota for white settlement, including the Whitewater area. Settlers removed much of the native vegetation in order to farm and graze the land. In 1900, flooding related to land use began. Almost two decades later, local citizens lobbied successfully to establish Whitewater State Park to protect some of the most beautiful parts of the valley. After numerous programs were instituted to help control the flooding in the area, including prohibitions on wood harvesting and forming ponds to serve as dikes, the Whitewater Watershed Project is cultivating a return to the area’s natural state.
The park is a wildlife observer’s dream, containing nearly 50 kinds of mammals and upwards of 250 types of birds throughout the year. Some of the more obvious residents are year-long wild turkey and bald eagles.
Hiking is a great activity in the park, as the scenery is gorgeous. Expect picturesque limestone bluffs and deep ravines. These hiking trails rate from easy to challenging.
Fishers will enjoy the park with its brown, brook, and rainbow trout in the park’s spring-fed Whitewater River and Trout Run Creek.
Those just looking to relax will enjoy the sandy beaches and the modern visitor’s center and group center.
Visit PleasureLand RV Center
Stop by PleasureLand RV Center before you visit any state park in Minnesota to make sure that your RV is in good shape to travel. If you need to upgrade your rig, PleasureLand RV Center is the place to shop. Tour our wide inventory of new and used RVs, from Class A motorhomes to fifth wheel trailers.
March 23rd, 2017 -
You don’t have to dive head first in to the RV lifestyle by purchasing an expensive motorhome or travel trailer. Here at PleasureLand RV Center, we offer a huge selection of rental RVs, so you can try out the RV lifestyle before you buy. And after just one family vacation in a rental RV, you’ll realize exactly what’s so wonderful about life on the road.
It’s Affordable
By renting an RV, you’ve already covered the travel and accommodation expenses for your vacation. Flying your entire family to a destination and renting multiple hotel rooms once you arrive can add up really quickly, but RV travel eliminates the need for plane tickets, and all of our PleasureLand RV rentals have plenty of sleeping space. Our RVs also contain full kitchens and refrigerators, so you’ll save big bucks on enjoying family meals inside your RV rather than out at expensive restaurants.
It’s Comfortable
Just because it’s called “camping” doesn’t mean you’ll be sleeping on the ground or living primitively. Our RV rentals are equipped with full bathrooms (with showers), comfortable bedding, a sink, stove, hot water, and all of the amenities you’d expect in a pricey hotel room (and even more).
It Gives You Freedom
Forget about check-in and check-out times and all of the other scheduling that comes along with flights and hotel stays. The RV lifestyle is entirely flexible, so you can stop and roadside attractions, exciting restaurants or anywhere you please.
More Time Together
One of the best parts of the RV lifestyle is that you end up spending more time together as a family. Whether you’re traveling on the highway or hanging out at the campsite, you’re all together making lasting memories, cooking meals and enjoying the great outdoors.
Rent an RV From PleasureLand
Whether you’re interested in a Class A motorhome or a pop-up camper, we’ve got a great selection of rental RVs right here at PleasureLand RV Center. Stop in to browse our fleet or get started with your RV rental immediately using our online form.
March 21st, 2017 -
If you’ve got your dogs along on your travels, try doing something special for them by trying these DIY projects. Not only are they a good way to pass some time, but they can add functionality and convenience to your RV.
Make a Custom Dog Station
There’s a lot of room for variety and creativity here, but the gist is this: take a board of wood and add pegs and other holders to help organize your dog’s gear.
For example, you could try taking the wooden board, sanding it down and painting it, and then adding a peg to hold your dog’s leash and adding a mason jar to hold dog treats. By hanging this on the wall next to your door, you can not only have all of your dog’s gear in one convenient place, but you can save space elsewhere as well. Other ideas to include on your dog station are a poop bag dispenser or a small basket to hold dog grooming items. Make sure to customize your station with your dog’s name!
Make Your Own Collar
By simply modifying a belt, you can make your own dog collar that will look like it came from a designer. Find an old leather belt with a pattern you like and measure around your dog’s neck with it. Trim the excess material from the belt with a pair of scissors. Taper the end into a point and you’re done! Attach a carabiner to the collar when you want to clip a leash onto it.
Visit PleasureLand RV Center
Stop by PleasureLand RV Center to tour a new or used RV and find one that’s right for you. If you’ve already got an RV, schedule service with a technician at PleasureLand RV Center before you embark on your next road trip.
March 16th, 2017 -
If you’re always on the lookout for the next place to take your RV, PleasureLand RV Center is here to give you a suggestion: Maplewood State Park. The park sprawls over 10,279 acres and attracts over 100,000 visitors annually. Maplewood sits on a series of high tree-covered hills that provide visitors with striking vistas of small, clear lakes nestled in deep valleys.
Maplewood State Park features eight major lakes and numerous ponds, offering water lovers places to enjoy their water sports, like swimming, fishing, and boating. The lakes offer plenty of sandy beaches and recreation areas on the shore for sunbathing, grilling, and picnicking.
Drive along the park’s scenic route to view the flora and fauna in the park, including 150 bird species and 50 species of mammal, including deer, beavers, racoon, squirrels, rabbits, and chipmunks. The trails are also a great way to see the wildlife while you hike, horseback ride, or cross-country ski (in the colder months).
Spring through fall, the park is “dressed” with displays of trillium, hepatica, bloodroot, yellow lady’s slipper, wild onion, prairie rose, and showy milkweed. If you go in the fall, the park turns into a fall wonderland with brilliant shades of orange, gold, and red.
The park is located 7 miles east of Pelican Rapids on State Highway 108.
Visit PleasureLand RV Center
Visit PleasureLand RV Center before you head to Maplewood State Park or any other destination this spring. Besides helping to make sure that your RV is ready for the road, PleasureLand RV Center can also help you get into a new RV if it’s time to upgrade or even if you’re shopping for your first rig.
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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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By Dan Pearson