Enjoy Fall on the Water

Canoe tied to a dock on a lake in northern Minnesota

RVers are commonly interested in outdoor activities and the natural world. After all, a good portion of your travels will probably be oriented towards parks and preserves all across the U.S.

Minnesota offers no shortage of beautiful outdoor areas, no matter your interests or hobbies. If you’re into kayaking, canoeing, or any other variation of paddle-crafts, this is especially true: Minnesota has 32 designated water trails and is the oldest water trail system in the country, more than 50 years old. It’s also one of the largest, covering more than 4,400 miles.

Check out these great Minnesota water trails this fall.

Mississippi River

The Mississippi River winds through 500 miles of Minnesota countryside. With so much area, there’s really no good way to characterize the water ways of the Mississippi. It starts as a narrow and tame stream at its headwaters in Itasca Lake before widening out.

Lake Superior

The largest freshwater lake in the world is also one of the most scenic. On calm days the water can be so clear and calm that it’s like glass. On days that conditions are poor and the water is too choppy on the lake, there are plenty of smaller and more sheltered lakes and tributaries attached to Lake Superior that are good alternatives.

St. Croix River

If you’re looking for a dramatic waterscape, St. Croix River delivers. With a 200-foot gorge, ice age potholes, and scenic rock formations, St. Croix River is one of the more interesting waterways in Minnesota.

Visit PleasureLand RV Center

Drop by PleasureLand RV Center if you’re ready to combine your love of travel and the outdoors with the convenience and comfort of your very own motorhome. PleasureLand RV Center offers RV sales, service, parts and accessories in Minnesota.

Minnesota’s Top Ice Fishing Spots

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Minnesota’s more than 11,800 lakes make it a hotspot for ice fishing. However, having so many places from which to choose can make planning your getaway more difficult. These three places to ice fish around Minnesota are some of the best of the best for catching fish and enjoying your stay.

Mille Lacs

St. Paul residents don’t have to travel far to find some of the country’s best ice fishing. Minnesota’s second largest lake, Mille Lacs, offers 74 miles of coastline and numerous access points to make your fishing excursions more convenient. The lake’s more than 130,000-acre size also means fishermen have plenty of room to spread out. The lake is known to be home to an abundance of rock bass, walleye, northern pike, small mouth bass, jumbo perch, tullibee and muskie, so bring a large cooler for your catch.

Gull Lake

Gull Lake is known across Minnesota as one of the best fishing spots. It’s home to the annual Ice Fishing Extravaganza event, which is the largest ice fishing event in North America. This fishing spot in the Brainerd Lake Region offers great water quality, which sustains huge populations of northern pike, bluegill, walleye, rock bass, largemouth bass and crappie. Park your RV in nearby Nisswa or Brainerd to enjoy a little bit of off-the-ice action during your stay.

Upper Red Lake

Red Lake is the largest lake in Minnesota, and it’s a hotspot for world-class fishing conditions. Head to the lake’s upper region to enjoy the best walleye fishing in the state. However, don’t be surprised if you reel in some crappie and northern pike too. The entire lake is 288,000 acres in size, so you’ll never feel like you’re fishing in a crowd.

Stop and See Us

Minnesota’s PleasureLand RV Centers are located near some of our state’s best ice fishing spots. Come shop our ice houses if you want to step up your ice fishing game.

Vegetarian Lasagna in Your RV

Try this delicious vegetarian lasagna in your RV!

Ingredients

  • 1 lb lasagna noodles
  • 1 jar marinara sauce
  • 12 oz baby spinah
  • 3 cups chopped kale
  • 20 oz sliced baby bella mushrooms
  • 1/3 cup cooking sherry
  • 15 oz ricotta
  • 1 cup chopped basil
  • 1 Tbsp fresh thyme
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper
  • 2 cups shredded Fontina cheese
  • 1/2 cup shredded Pecorino Romano cheese

Directions

Prep the layers first.

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Cook the noodles according to their directions. Drain and rinse with cold water and set aside.

Bring a large pot of water to a boil and place the kale in a steamer basket and lower into the boiling water. Boil until wilted but slightly crunchy (approx. 1 minute). Remove and drain in colander. Set aside.

Place spinach into steamer next and lower into water. Boil until wilted (approx. 30 seconds). Remove and drain in colander. Set aside.

Once the greens cool, squeeze out remaining moisture.

Place the mushrooms in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring occasionally until juices release and evaporate. Add cooking sherry, toss, and let cook until the sherry is almost evaporated. Remove from heat.

Mix the ricotta, basil, thyme, crushed red pepper, and milk in a medium bowl.

Now make the lasagna.

Oil a 9×13 baking dish. Line the bottom with a single layer of lasagna noodles going in the short direction. Use the back of a spoon to spread about a third of the ricotta mixture across them. Top with about a quarter of marinara, using the spoon for this as well.

Top this with about a third of the kale, spinach, and mushrooms, evenly.

Add another layer of noodles the opposite direction and repeat the layering process. Then do it all again once more for 3 layers total.

Top the final layer with remaining lasagna and marinara and add Fontina and Pecorino Romano cheeses on top.

Cover this all tightly with foil and bake for 40 minutes. Uncover and turn on broiler for 10 minutes until the top is golden brown and bubbly.

Cut and serve immediately!

Visit PleasureLand RV Center

Stop by PleasureLand RV Center to view our inventory of new and used RVs, including ones with great kitchen setups, ideal for making this vegetarian lasagna or any other recipe you fancy trying. PleasureLand RV Center is your spot in Minnesota for RV sales, service, parts, and accessories.

The 2017 CrossRoads RV Z-1 Lite

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The Z-1 Lite model lineup from CrossRoads RV is a small travel trailer that’s been designed to introduce RVers to the lifestyle. Approachable and affordable, the Z-1 Lite excels in being versatile and comfortable. Its light tow weight means that towing vehicle options aren’t restrictive. Despite the small size, the interior can be quite roomy. Ceiling height can be upward of 6′ 6″ tall and the interior width can be 8′ across.

The Z-1 Lites also come equipped with amenities that you’d typically expect to find in much higher end models, such as DSI water heaters and ample storage space.

The ZT18RB Floorplan

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The 2017 CrossRoads RV Z-1 Lite ZT18RB offers a front sleeping area with a queen size bed and dual shirt closets, plus overhead storage for your things.

When you step inside you will find a storage wardrobe to your immediate left, and further in a private toilet and tub/shower area. The linen storage is just outside the door next to a kitchen pantry that is perfect for food storage needs.

To the left of the entrance find a booth dinette to enjoy your meals at, along with overhead storage for your things. This can easily be turned into added sleeping space for your young campers if you like.

The kitchen allows you to cook up light meals and snacks with a two burner cook-top, a single sink for cleaning up, and a counter with refrigerator beneath, plus overhead cabinets for storage, and so much more!

Visit PleasureLand RV Center

Visit PleasureLand RV Center to tour the 2017 Crossroads RV Z-1 Lite, or any other model that you’ve got an interest in seeing. PleasureLand RV Center is your place in Minnesota for RV sales, service, parts, and accessories.

Fun Fall Hobbies for Your RV

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There are plenty of RV hobbies that are ideal for life on the road. The following are just a few of the many activities you can start enjoying in your PleasureLand RV, especially with fall coming up.

Learn a New Language

Whether you’ll be traveling south of the border or not, learning a new language can be educational, fun and beneficial to your everyday life. Take language classes online or pick up a program like Rosetta Stone to practice your new language skills in the comfort and convenience of your home on wheels.

Scrapbooking

Creating scrabooks during your travels can help you make the most of those days spent inside your RV. Scrapbooking gives you an opportunity to organize your photos, reflect on recent memories and create a tangible record of your travels to show to friends, family and fellow campers.

Leaf Pressing

Fall is a great time to try leaf pressing, what with the beautifully colored leaves available wherever you look. Try to get different colors and leaves from different species of tree to fill out your book. You can even combine leaf pressing with scrapbooking.

Paint By Numbers

We’re not all artists, but that doesn’t mean you can’t paint. Painting by numbers kits are extremely addictive, and thousands of them (of varying difficulties) can be purchased online. Even better, the final result is a gorgeous painting that you can use to decorate your home on wheels.

Jewelry Making

Creating your own unique jewelry pieces isn’t just a way to pass time on the road. It’s also a way to make money while you travel. Master your jewelry design and creation skills, and you can create a website or Etsy account to sell your goods along your journey.

Visit PleasureLand RV Center

Find a more comfortable RV for those rainy days at the campsite right here at PleasureLand RV Center in Minnesota. With the perfect RV, hobbies on the road will be just as enjoyable as those at home.

Celebrating Halloween on the Road

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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 gourds 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.

Shrimp Scampi in Your RV Kitchen

Shrimp Scampi and Linguine

After you pick up a new RV from PleasureLand RV Center, you’re ready to pack up and head out on your first trip. Part of packing includes planning meals and packing the food you want to take with you on the road – or planning where to stop to pick up special ingredients you might need if you are not bringing them with you. You can make a simple shrimp scampi even in the RV or on the grill, so don’t think you have to give up your favorites just because you are in an RV!

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds jumbo shrimp, shelled and deveined
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 4 tbs. Butter
  • ½ c. dry white vermouth
  • ½ tsp. Lemon zest
  • 2 tbs. Fresh lemon juice
  • 4 tsp. Fresh parsley leaves, finely chopped

Instructions:

Wash and dry the shrimp, making sure they are completely dry. Heat a large skillet over medium heat on the stove top or the grill. Season the shrimp with salt and pepper. Add the butter to the skillet.

When the butter stops foaming, increase the heat to high. Quickly add all of the shrimp to the pan at the same time. Cook them without moving them for 1 minute. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Turn the shrimp over and cook for 2 minutes. Transfer the shrimp to a bowl.

Return the skillet to the heat and add the vermouth and lemon juice. Boil the mixture until it is slightly thickened. This takes about 30 seconds. Scrape up the browned bits from the bottom with a wooden spoon. Stir in the lemon zest and parsley. Pour the sauce over the shrimp. Season with salt and pepper. Toss to combine.

Serve by itself as an appetizer or serve over pasta for a main meal.

Visit PleasureLand RV Center

Stop by PleasureLand RV Center to walk through the many floor plans we have available. You’ll find the perfect RV for your family, whether you prefer a motorized RV, fifth wheel, travel trailer or toy hauler. If you have an RV and are not ready for a new RV, be sure to have your RV serviced at our RV service department before you take your first trip of the season.

Things to Do This Fall

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Fall is a season that’s never short on fun activities to do in Minnesota. But if you’re having some difficulty thinking of things to do, try one of these fall themed adventures.

Visit a Museum

Nothing beats getting out of the cold to do some quiet learning. Minnesota museums showcase rare artifacts, world-class art, local history, and more exhibits than you can shake a stick at.

Visit a Pumpkin Patch

The quintessential fall day activity, take yourself and your family out to a pumpkin patch. You’ll have fun spending the day outside and picking a few pumpkins up for Jack-o-lanterns, pies, or even centerpieces. Some pumpkin patches even have rides, petting zoos, and other fun diversions.

Attend a Fall Festival

The harvest season brings with it many festivals. Almost every small town in Minnesota has its own annual festival to celebrate the fall season, many of which include parades, games, and food.

Take a Drive Across the Countryside

Minnesota is putting on its fall colors, and taking a drive is a great way to see the countryside in all its glory.

Visit PleasureLand RV Center

Add a visit to PleasureLand RV Center this fall if you want to enjoy the season in your very own RV. RVing enhances any traveling you plan to do and really takes a road trip to the next level. For RV sales, service, parts, or accessories, visit PleasureLand RV Center today!

Rent an RV for Your Upcoming Road Trips!

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Fall is one of the best times of year to travel in an RV. The summer crowds have left the roads, the temperatures are mild and many campgrounds offer discounted off-season rates. However, you don’t have to own an RV to travel in one.

Here at PleasureLand RV Center, we offer a wide selection of rental travel trailers and motorhomes to those who want to hit the roads without making a long-term purchase. Renting an RV is one of the best ways to test the RV lifestyle while enjoying quality, affordable time with your friends or family.

There are countless reasons why you should try renting an RV this fall, but the following are just a few instances where RV travel proves superior to traditional plane and hotel travel.

It’s Affordable

Renting an RV will save you big bucks on your overall vacation cost. Forget about purchasing expensive plane tickets for every member of your family. Even more, your RV serves as a cozy and comfortable home on wheels where you can sleep, play and prepare your favorite meals affordably.

It’s Less Stressful

Flying is no longer fun. It’s plagued by long security lines, canceled flights, delays, lost baggage and so many other complications. Renting an RV puts the fun back in travel and gives you the freedom to choose when you want to move and how much time you want to spend on the road.

You’ll Spend More Time Together

So many families embark on a family vacation just to run in different directions when they arrive. Traveling in an RV means you spend more time making memories together. Whether you’re cruising down the road, cooking out at the campsite or stopping along your journey to check out a roadside attraction, you’re always enjoying new experiences together as a team.

Visit PleasureLand RV Center

Visit PleasureLand RV Center to check out our rental options or to take a tour of one of our RVs for sale.

Decorate Your RV for Fall

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Decorating your home helps to get both residents and visitors into the spirit of the season. Your RV is no exception. Fall is a ripe season for decorating because it possesses an easily recognizable color scheme, identifiable iconography, and many associated symbols. With the proper use of props, colors, and patterns, your RV will scream autumn in no time.

Dress for the season.

Dress your space, that is. Proper use of color is the first and best tool in your arsenal for decorating. Fall colors include deep reds, burnt orange, golden yellow, and earthy browns. A good strategy is to use those browns as a neutral and to use reds, oranges, and yellows as pops of accent.

Make use of icons and symbols

Fall has many associated symbols and icons. The leaf, the pumpkin, the owl… these and many others are quickly identified with autumn. The use of such symbols will help to further establish your theme.

Decorating isn’t just visual.

While decor is primarily visual, it’s not only visual. You can enhance and reinforce your decor with aromas. When your RV isn’t on the move, you can light scented candles with the smells of the season, like pumpkin pie, apple cider, even leaves. You can also use a potpourri mix that’s suitable for the season.

Use interchangeable elements.

This means that you ought to use decorating items that are easily switched out and stored. Things like pillow shams, curtains, wreaths… anything that can be switched out when the next season rolls around. Try to avoid anything that’s too bulky or large. After all, you’re traveling in an RV.

Visit PleasureLand RV Center

Visit PleasureLand RV Center in Minnesota for RV sales, service, parts, or accessories. If you drop in on us at PleasureLand RV Center and you’ve got some fall decor going on, we’d love to see it!