August 29th, 2012 -
If you’re an
avid
Minnesota RVing
traveler, chances are, you spend a fair amount of time watching wildlife along the hiking trails and in the parks you visit. Wildlife can be elusive, but there are several wild animal parks across the U.S. that make it possible for you and your family to get “up close and personal” with exotic creatures.
Perhaps the best-known U.S. parks are the San Diego Zoo’s Safari Park and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Both offer guided safari experiences give you firsthand experiences with the amazing creatures that share our planet. If you would like to stay a little closer to home, you can find a wild animal experience at Minnesota’s Hemker Wildlife Park.
Their 90-minute tours give you a chance to experience a wide variety of wildlife including penguins, pronghorn, reindeer, ostrich, moose and woodland caribou.
Make sure you capture the amazing scenery and wildlife by following these photography hints:
- Use a tripod to hold the camera steady.
- Zoom in. Portraits of the animals’ faces will give you lots of great material for that scrapbook later. If you have a point and shoot camera, become familiar with your zoom feature in advance. Even better, use your 35mm camera with a long zoom lens.
- Disable camera sounds. The beeping of the autofocus or the shutter sounds can startle skittish animals.
- Tour the animal park early in the morning or late in the evening. The light is gorgeous and you’ll see even more animals moving about.
- Stay safe. The animals in animal parks and zoos are still wild creatures. The National Park Service offers some thoughtful reminders about viewing wildlife.
Have you ever taken your
Minnesota Winnebago RV
on a safari?
August 20th, 2012 -
Hot air balloons add brilliant touches of color to the sky at ballooning events across the U.S. and many offer opportunities for camping in your
St. Cloud RV
. One of the coolest sites you can see in your
new or used Minnesota RV
is at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta – the world’s largest ballooning event featuring about 600 hot air balloons.
The Balloon Fiesta offers RV camping, and according to their website, there’s still space available. They do recommend that you call, however, for all the latest information: 505-821-1000 or 1-888-422-7277.
Considering a fall road trip? Here are a few details for the week long event:
Dates: October 6-14, 2012
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
RV Sites: There are four types of sites: STANDARD (dry camping), PREMIUM (electricity with 20 Amps minimum and water provided), VIP (dry camping adjacent to the Launch Field with entry passes included) and PRESIDENT’S COMPOUND (premier sites on a bluff overlooking the Launch Field with city water pressure and 30 Amp minimum electricity).
Check In: You’ll be able to check in between 12 noon and 7 pm on the day you arrive, but the Fiesta staff strongly recommends that you arrive before 3 pm on days other than Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday to avoid the heavy traffic congestion.
Weather: The weather is usually incredible in October, but be sure and bring a heavy jacket for those early morning events. It’s chilly! Expect spectacular sunrises over the Sandia Mountains!
The 10-day schedule of events includes mass ascensions, balloon rides, evening balloon glows, fireworks and more!
August 17th, 2012 -
If you’re taking your pets on
new Minnesota RV
road trips, you’re probably already savvy about how to plan your trip and care for your pets along the way. But we found a few reminders in Pets America’s Pet First Aid & Disaster Response guide and thought we’d share.
1. Plan ahead. Research Minnesota’s emergency vets along your RV route through the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society. You can search for clinics in other states as well. http://www.veccs.org/index.php?option=com_hospitals&Itemid=193&nationid=1&searchword=&rpp=12&stateid=21&action=do_searc
2. Get referrals ahead of time for reliable pet sitters at your destination. http://www.petsitters.org/
3. Make sure your pet wears identification tags at all times. Add a temporary tag with the local number at your campground.
4. Update your microchip contact information. If your pet has a microchip (of course they do!), then call your microchip company to ensure your contact info is up to date.
5. Talk to your vet about motion sickness. If your pet is new to travel, take a short ride to see how your pet reacts, and to find out if they’re prone to motion sickness. If so, talk to your vet about solutions.
6. Never leave your pet in the hot vehicle. Even when it’s a comfortable 80 degrees outside, the temperature inside the vehicle can reach 120 deadly degrees in a matter of minutes.
7. Use a crate or harness to secure your pet inside the vehicle. Pet seats give pets a comfortable place to sit while the harness secures them safely to a seatbelt. This restraint can save a life.
8. Take breaks. Enjoy the journey and take frequent breaks so both you and your pet can… stretch your legs.
For even more tips on pet care, visit Minnesota’s Veterinary Medial Association. (Scroll down to the bottom of the home page to find the pet tips.) Let’s face it. Not every pet is destined to be a RV road warrior, but for those who are, these tips can make the journey safer so you can enjoy the adventure.
August 6th, 2012 -
Sometimes, weird can be wonderful. If you’re a seasoned
Minnesota RV
traveler, you’ve already discovered that prowling the roadsides can be as much fun as getting to that next destination.
In Minnesota, the Museum of Questionable Medical Devices was recently added to the collections at the Science Museum of Minnesota after the passing of the Museum of Questionable Medical Devices’s founder, Bob McCoy. You can check out Bob’s work to expose quackery in all its forms on his website: http://www.museumofquackery.com/. From a device designed to map your personality based on the bumps on your head to an electrical charge to boost your virility, this collection has it all.
While searching for “weird,” we also stumbled across another website called Weird U.S.with listings for weird stops all across the U.S. They’re still working on their page for Minnesota, but they do give readers a chance to contribute their own stories about the best places to explore. Maybe we need to offer a few suggestions! Are you ready to add a little weird (and wonderful!) to your next
road trip in your
new Pleasureland RV
? What’s the weirdest place you’ve ever visited? Let us know!
August 1st, 2012 -
If you want to really experience the “flavor” of a new place when you’re on your next
trip in your
Winnebago RV
, consider visiting the farmers markets. They’re a fun blend of food and entertainment, crafts and characters.
I love farmers markets for several reasons. First, the food is fresh and healthy. After all, it just came off the vine or out of the ground. Next, I’m supporting local farmers. I was shocked when I found out that farmers usually get less than 10 cents of every dollar you spend at the grocery store. By shopping at farmers markets, I’m supporting a family for whom farming is still a way of life. Finally, I can get recommendations from the locals about what to see and do in their home communities. There’s nothing like discovering those hidden RV travel gems!
The Minnesota Farmers’ Market Association lists its members on its website including links to most of the growers. In Duluth, the farmers market has operated since 1911 and offers everything from fresh veggies like spinach and radishes to honey and even gluten-free baked goodies.
Where are your favorite places to take your
Pleasureland RV
?
July 23rd, 2012 -
When traveling the states in your Pleasureland RV you want all the time you can get to enjoy what the area has to offer…but we all like to look forward to a great dinner when it is time to relax. And, sometimes we crave some good Mexican food, which is not always easy to find.
How about Crock Pot Pork Carnitas for dinner? Of course a Crock Pot is a must for any RV. Beyond that, you will need:
1. Pork Loin or Pork Tenderloin
2. Two gloves of garlic, chopped fine
3. Salt – about a teaspoon, or to your liking
4. Cumin – this is a key ingredient – 2-4 Tablespoons depending on the amount of meat you are cooking. (About 1 Tablespoon per lb)
5. Red Chili powder – this will add the spice and zing! Determine the amount based on how hot you prefer. You can add red chili flakes to spice it up even more.
6. Chicken broth
7. Corn tortillas (hearty wheat or brands with blue corn are great)
8. Avocados
9. Cilantro and limes – two more key ingredients!
10. Grated cheese, if you desire.
In the morning cut the meat in smaller pieces (trim away any fat) and throw ingredients 1-5 into the crock pot with 1 – 2 cups of chicken broth depending on how much meat you are preparing. Cook on low for 6-8 hours
– When ready to eat prepare the fixings:
-Shred the meat with a fork (if it is not very moist you can add more chicken broth)
-Slice Avocados and limes
-Prepare the cilantro, removing the stems
-Fill tortillas with meat (and cheese if preferred) top with avocado slices and cilantro and squeeze the lime juice over all! Great served with beans, rice and or a salad or fruit.
Enjoy!! And, please share your favorite recipe with Pleasureland RV! We would love to share it with all of our followers.
July 20th, 2012 -
Getting ready for a big roadtrip in your motorhome can be full of excitement and fun. In the midst of the packing frenzy, you must remember more than just the toothpaste and towels. Having propane is essential for your
new Minnesota RV
on the road. It’s also important to have the propane system checked out at least once a year. So whether you’ve had the RV in storage or you call it home, here are a few tips on being prepared when it comes to propane inside of your vehicle.
Why use propane?
Propane has many benefits. As far as fuels go, it is considered to be clean. It’s liquid petroleum gas and there is a lot of it! Its low price and wide availability make it an easy option for everything from cooking to hot baths. Because it’s so easily transportable, motorhomes can use it for many things. While it’s usually quite safe, there are important factors to consider when using it.
Precaution
The most important item that every RV should have is a propane detector. They can be bought at any home improvement store and can be assembled without expertise. Having difficulty with set up? Don’t be afraid to ask for help! If something were to go wrong it could save lives. Be prepared to immediately vacate the premises should the alarm go off. In an emergency, aside from calling 911, turn off the propane valve if possible.
Testing
There are a few tests that a technician can do for the whole system to ensure proper working order. The first is an operating pressure test, which is used to determine pressure amounts to the regulator during use. Too much on either side of the normal range could create problems. Another good test is the timed drop pressure test. Doing this test will show if there are any leaks which no system should have. Once the leak is pinpointed, you will be good to go! The last is referred to as a lock up test that ensures the regulator is completely shutting. This test avoids pressure contamination which could cause an explosion.
These are great ways to protect your family and your
Pleasureland RV
. Taking these extra steps will remove any unknowns from the safety of your trip. You will rest easier knowing your propane system is good to go.
Have you had your system tested this year? Feel free to share your propane tips with us in the comments below!
Thanks to Gary Motley for contributing
July 16th, 2012 -
Photo Courtesy Of Winnebago Motor Homes
Picking the perfect recreational vehicle Minneapolis Minnesota is a tricky process. Consider your lifestyle and your habits when shopping for a new RV or motor coach. Large television screens may be the most important feature to one family, but you could find extra sleeping space or a large shower much more meaningful to your unique style of camping. The 2012 Winnebago Access has something for everyone. It also has a few extras that will appeal to full-time RVers that want to stay in their Class C coach year round.
A Sleek Interior
The beautiful interior of this motor home begins with durable, stone-patterned vinyl flooring. A variety of tan and beige tones are used in the upholstery and paneling for a light and tasteful style. Two 19 inch LCD television screens are mounted into the wall board, with one in the front of the layout and the other in the rear. Your kids can watch Saturday morning cartoons while you and your spouse relax with a nice movie.
Cooking In Style
The Winnebago Access has plenty of kitchen space for preparing your own meals. This is especially important if you live full-time in your motor home. Some of the other models available at your local RV dealership Minneapolis are too cramped for daily cooking, causing you to spend a lot more on dining out. This model comes equipped with a 3 burner range top, a sizable oven and a built-in microwave. The refrigerator is spacious enough for three or four days worth of food.
Two Kinds Of Backup Support
Other features of the Access make it ideal for full-timers that like to find National Forest camp sites for a taste of the wilderness. The powerful gas generator will help you use all of the amenities when you are hundreds of miles away from the nearest power line. It also helps if inclement weather causes an electrical hookup to fail when camping at a RV park. The other form of backup support comes from the rear view camera system. You can back into a parking space or maneuver in close quarters without needing a partner on the ground to guide you.
Comfortable Winter Camping
Many fans of winter sports, such as skiing or ice fishing, assume that they can’t take an RV out to resorts for these activities. The Winnebago Access has support systems that allow it to be used during cold weather. The heated drainage system won’t allow your pipes to freeze or crack during storage, but they also keep the water flowing during a December camping trip as well. All of the exterior mirrors also feature defrosting.
July 13th, 2012 -
RVers from all over the U.S. flock to Santa Fe, New Mexico in the summer, and I think this would be an excellent place to take your
Minnesota RV
! It’s a world-renowned art community, and it’s world famous for its summer festivals. But amid the flurry of paint and marble, wool and bronze, one market stands out. It’s the Santa Fe International Folk Art Market, and it’s the one place you can literally take a stroll around the world in a single weekend morning and meet artisans from Kenya to Kyrgyzstan. This year marks the ninth annual Market, and 170 artists from 50 or more countries will exhibit their work. Some of these artists are already recognized in Santa Fe for their extraordinary art, but for others, it will be their first time to leave their home villages. This is what makes the Market unique. After a rigorous selection process, the artists are guided through an experience that can change their lives forever.
One weekend in Santa Fe provides artists the financial ability to radically improve their home communities. Each booth earned an average of $17,300 last year, and for artists from developing countries where the average income is less than $3 per day, that’s big money. Past Market artists have gone home to build schools and houses, and dig wells to provide their villages with clean drinking water.The Market thrives because of its dedicated volunteers, so if you’re one of those people who love to make a difference while you’re on your latest
Pleasureland RV
road trip, the Market has a place for translators, greeters, booth staff, cashiers, and many more roles.
In Minnesota, much of the folk art has maritime twist that reflects the state’s Great Lakes heritage. And it’s much the same for Zilo Bong http://www.folkartmarket.org/artists/zilo-bong/, of Vanuatu, whose carvings, drums and flutes capture his island’s fading culture.The Santa Fe International Folk Art Market opens on the evening of July 13 and runs through July 15, 2012 at the beautiful Milner Plaza on Santa Fe’s renowned Museum Hill. The venue offers stunning views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
For ticket sales and more detailed information go to http://www.folkartmarket.org.
July 11th, 2012 -
Here at PleasureLand RV Center, we have a lot full of great recreational vehicles at even better prices. If you don’t want to go with new, you can also find several used RVs at here at Pleasureland RV.
The 2012 Dutchmen Classic is a well-made 34-foot travel trailer with two slides. It sleeps up to six people. The private master bedroom features a queen bed. The oversized dinette and the sofa both fold down into beds. This Dutchmen Classic has two outside doors.
The main door is in the living area, but it also has a door in the master bedroom. That way, if family or friends are still sleeping, those in the master bedroom can go outside without disturbing others. The queen bed also has a slider so that the bedroom has enough space to move about.
The bathroom is separate, too, so the toilet has its own room. The shower and sink are across the hall, so that the toilet is private. Moving forward, the sofa bed and the U-shaped, oversize dinette are in a slide, so if everyone has to be inside the RV at the same time, there is plenty of room to walk around without tripping over anyone.
The living area has overhead cabinets for storage — whether you choose to store clothing, games or other things you need on your vacation. The overhead cabinets are over the sofa and the dinette.
True to Dutchmen’s style, the kitchen is a full front kitchen, which gives you plenty of room to cook your family’s favorites. To the left is a double door pantry, which is large enough to store dry goods for a couple of weeks. Plus, the kitchen has overhead cabinets for plates, pots, pans and other kitchen accessories.
The double sink and the three-burner stove make cooking inside easy and comfortable. Because the kitchen is a full front kitchen, you have plenty of space to move around, and you have plenty of counter space to put a complicated meal together.
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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
