Itasca State Park

Screen Shot 2013-04-19 at 11.23.16 AM Summer heat is upon us and what better way to cool off than by visiting PleasureLand and taking a look at the new and used inventory. With an RV, travel trailer or pop up camper, traveling to one of Minnesota’s outstanding areas like Itasca State Park is a breeze. With your recreational vehicle packed, enjoy nature, over 100 lakes and all the park’s amenities in complete comfort.

Itasca State Park

Itasca has the distinction of being the oldest state park in Minnesota. The 32,000 acre park was created in 1891 and continues to be a popular location for camping, hiking, fishing and interesting historical areas. Visit the Mississippi Headwaters Center, Itasca Indian Cemetery and Wegmann’s Cabin or explore the Wilderness Sanctuary, a designated National Natural Landmark.

Events

The park has scheduled events throughout the summer including fishing, hiking, wildlife education and boat building for kids, the Animal Sounds Evening Stroll, Old Timers Cabin Tour, Music Under the Pines and the 7th Annual North Country Hiking Fest, just to name a few. There’s something of interest for everyone of all ages at Itasca State Park.

Hiking

If hiking is your favorite past time, Itasca will keep your feet busy. With 49 miles of hiking trails through beautiful flora and fauna, your eyes will have a continual feast of nature at its best whether you walk or bring a bike in your toy hauler to explore the 6 miles of off-road paved trail. For a leisurely stroll, the self-guided 3.25 miles of trail include the Landmark, Blowdown and Forestry Demonstration Trail along with the Doctor Roberts and Headwaters Trails ending at the Old Timer’s Cabin. The park also has a scenic wheelchair accessible boardwalk with stunning views of delicate orchids during the spring and summer months.

If you’re already planning ahead for a winter romp in the snow, pack up your RV for snowshoe excursions on several designated trails and roads, snowmobiling along 31 miles of trails circling the park or tackling 28 miles of easy to difficult trails for classic, skate or cross country skiing.

Camping

Itasca has two campgrounds; one with 223 drive-in sites, the other with 160 electric sites. RV sites allow 60-feet from the front of the RV to the rear of any towed vehicle. While camping, picnicking by the lake or a picnic shelter, swimming, volleyball and a children’s playground are easily accessible.

Don’t wait another minute to get your RV vacation plans fine-tuned, just like your RV. If you’re looking to purchase your first RV or travel trailer or need your current recreational vehicle serviced for your next adventure, PleasureLand can handle all of your needs from start to finish.

First Aid Kit Checklist

Screen Shot 2013-05-13 at 9.59.58 AM When it comes to safe RV excursions, whether locally or for extended trips, PleasureLand’s inventory of well maintained recreational vehicles along with a selection of quality new vehicles make PleasureLand RV Center the “go-to” place for safety and comfort. While it’s important your transportation is serviced and capable of making a trip, it’s equally important to protect your family with their own first aid checklist.

Kit Preparation

You know the needs of your family, so start with vital items for those with mild allergies to insect stings or for those who have issues with pollen from flowering plants, trees and flowers. For anyone who has extreme allergic reactions to stings from bees, wasps or any other biting insect, check with your doctor before leaving so you’ll have enough medicine and needles for the duration of your vacation in case of an emergency. It’s also a good idea to have a new prescription to take along in case you need to refit the kit.

Basic Items

Band-aids are at the top of the list for blisters on heels and toes after a day of hiking or when someone cuts a finger or gets a splinter that needs removing. Bring along an assortment of band-aids in different sizes to fit most any minor situation. Waterproof band-aids are also a good idea for travelers planning water activities.

Add these items to your “must have” list:

  • Gauze pads and bandages
  • Gauze rolls
  • Adhesive tape
  • Elastic bandages for sprains
  • Clips to hold elastic bandages
  • Alcohol prep pads to clean the area
  • Cotton balls
  • Bottle of alcohol
  • Thermometer
  • Gloves and hand sanitizer
  • Tweezers to remove tiny splinters
  • Scissors
  • Splints

Along with band-aids and basic items, you’ll also need several useful medications along with a guide on how to administer first aid especially if you haven’t taken a first aid course.

  • Antibiotic ointment
  • Hydrocortisone cream
  • Cold and hot packs
  • Eye wash
  • Calamine lotion
  • Poison oak and poison ivy cream
  • Iodine
  • Hydrogen peroxide
  • Anti diarrheal medication

Pets

Don’t forget to bring an ample supply of your pet’s prescribed medications along with the veterinarian’s name and contact information.

FYI

Keep your personal prescribed medications in a separate, water-proof bag along with over-the-counter medications so everything is in one convenient location. Also, put your doctor’s name, address and emergency contact information in this bag for each person on the trip. Make sure you refill your meds before leaving so you have more than enough in case you encounter any travel bumps along the way.

Make PleasureLand your first stop after putting together your first aid kit and schedule a tune up or service check then ride the highways knowing your family and your RV are a-okay for whatever adventures lie ahead.

Fourth Of July

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There’s no better time to plan a mini getaway vacation than during a holiday event when excitement is high and party-style events are usually scheduled throughout the U.S.A.. With the Fourth of July just a couple of weeks away, this is the perfect time to pack up your RV and plan a visit to a local state park or a RV campground overflowing with amenities and holiday festivities.

To help get you on your way, PleasureLand RV has just what you need from new and used recreational vehicles and pop-up campers to RV travel trailers and toy haulers to bring all of your fun items. You name it, they have it in stock. With a large selection of inventory to choose from, you’ll have plenty of options to suit what works for you, your family, your itinerary and your budget.

Planning Your Getaway

With your RV fueled up, the toy hauler packed and ready to go, celebrating the Fourth of July with your mobile room with a view just got easier and a lot more fun. With an RV, it’s easy to plan an extended vacation over the holiday, a weekend getaway or an overnight trip and celebrate the country’s birthday with your own red, white and blue birthday bash.

Plan your trip by making a checklist of things to do in preparation of leaving and check each one off as it’s completed. Include packing your RV’s refrigerator with plenty of traditional goodies like hotdogs and hamburgers, barbeque and chips. Don’t forget the marshmallows for toasting or making s’mores. Be sure to bring a grill and charcoal, assorted condiments and a traditional apple pie for the July 4th celebration.

Choose a park where fireworks displays will be going on along with festive events scheduled for those staying at the park. Find a camping location in the area where you’ll be able to see fireworks from the comfort of your RV across a lake or river. Create your own birthday bash for America by bringing along your own fireworks and sparklers to set off at your camp site. Be sure these items are allowed before setting them off at you’re camping destination. Use caution when setting off any type of fireworks and keep children and pets a safe distance away when lighting.

However you choose to celebrate, before hitting the highways and byways, visit PleasureLand for an upgrade to your current ride or to add to your personal RV inventory. If you aren’t in need of a new or used recreational vehicle but need your current RV serviced, make an appointment with the professional technicians at PleasureLand for a complete check-up and travel with peace of mind.

Summer Recipes

We all love cooking in our RV. But sometimes there isn’t enough space which leaves you wondering what you can make. Below are a few different ideas you can prepare in your Minnesota RV.

A breakfast fruit cup is super easy to prepare in small places and will leave you feeling good after eating it. The best part is, you can use whatever fruits are in season. Here is a tasty breakfast fruit cup recipe that will leave you and your family feeling full and satisfied.

 

Easy Breakfast Fruit Cup

2 ripe bananas, peeled and sliced

10 strawberries, washed, hulled and halved

1 green apple, washed and thinly sliced

½ cup of vanilla yogurt

1 tbsp of clover honey

Place the bananas, strawberries and apples into 2 bowls. Spoon half of the yogurt on top of the fruit and drizzle on some honey. There you go, its that easy!

Nobody wants a hot meal in the heat of the afternoon. Why not try a cool and refreshing summer salad that even the dads can make?

Cucumber Avocado Fresco Salad

2 large cucumbers

2 handfuls of either cherry or grape tomatoes

2 handfuls of either crumbled Feta or Blue Cheese

½ of a small white onion, diced

1 whole avocado, pitted and sliced

½ of lime

Pinch of salt and pepper

Salad dressing of your choice

Peel the cucumbers and slice in half length-wise. Cut into ½ inch pieces. Squeeze the lime juice over your sliced Avocado. This will prevent your avocado from browning. Toss together with tomatoes, onion and a little salt and pepper to taste. Top with either Feta or blue cheese. Add desired salad dressing.

Everyone gets hungry before dinner so what’s a fast and mess-free snack you can make in your camper? You can’t go wrong with classic Whoopie Cookies! These are absolutely irresistible and easy to make; no cooking required! With a bag of your favorite cookies and a jar of marshmallow fluff, you can make exactly the number of whoopie pies you need. Spread a thick layer of marshmallow fluff on the flat side of the cookie then top with the flat side of another cookie. Voila! You have a tasty, fast snack everyone will love.

And you can’t get any easier than this when it comes to dinner! Chicken and cornbread dressing. Yum! Once you try this scrumptious meal, you’ll be adding this to your list of quick RV recipes! You will need:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves

1 can cream of chicken soup

1-1/4 cup of water

¼ cup butter, melted

1 package cornbread stuffing mix

Place all four chicken breasts in a greased crockpot and top with undiluted soup. Then in a bowl, mix cornbread stuffing together with the melted butter and water until combined. Spoon the mixture over the chicken breasts. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours.

We hope you enjoyed these exciting and delicious recipes. Remember to come and see us at PleasureLand RV for all of your motorhome sales, parts and accessories! Screen Shot 2013-06-24 at 2.22.17 PM

2014 Itasca Sunova

Screen Shot 2013-06-24 at 1.54.57 PM If you are in search of some of the most remarkable Class A RVs that Minneapolis Minnesota has to offer, head on over to Pleasureland RV Center. Pleasureland is home to the Itasca Sunova, and if you are in the market for a truly exceptional Motorhome, you need to take a look.

The Itasca Sunova comes in a choice of four distinctive models, all with popular amenities like LED lighting, Corian brand countertops, and MCD solar/blackout roller shades. New for this year is the StudioLoft drop down cab bed that offers travelers more flexibility than ever. Of course, this comes with Winnebago’s superior construction and engineering for a motorhome that will deliver on its promise of value for years to come!

Let’s take a quick look at these four models and what each can offer you and your family.

The 30A

The Sunova 30A has a mid-coach 42″ Television, an extendable U-shaped dinette, along with an ample wardrobe and chest of drawers. It has a dual-slideout floor plan that offers some comfortable living space.

The 33C

This model offers a triple-slideout floor plan with multiple furniture choices that include a Rest Easy sofa, a Euro recliner, and an extendable dining table with retractable HDTV. The 33C also features a king size bed.

The 35G

The triple-slideout floor plan of the Sunova 35G offers great space, an inLounge and inTable and even an optional fireplace!

The 36V

This dual slideout model has lots of amenities including a BenchMark dinette, an extendable sectional sofa, twin wardrobes and the option of a king size bed.

These Itasca Sunova models offer plenty of room and great value. The best way to experience one is to come on out and see them for yourself. You will be able to tell immediately upon entering one how well they are crafted and designed. While Itasca limits what we can tell you about the price of these models you know that there is not an RV dealership that can match the deal you will get at Pleasureland RV Center.

The summer took a long time to get here but it is flying by! There is still plenty of time to enjoy your family and the great outdoors with a new or used RV. We can even show you your rental options if you are curious if you would enjoy the lifestyle. Pleasureland is family owned and operated. We look forward to seeing you soon at PleasureLand RV Center.

Conquer The Road In Style With The 2013 Winnebago Access Premier

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When people hear of the Winnegabo, they know it is an exceptional recreational vehicle that has been around for generations. High-end technology meets sophisticated style for a great price, as this vehicle can take the punishment of the road and still have a stellar appearance when you get to your destination.

Here at PleasureLand RV Center, we are happy to introduce the new Winnebagos that have entered the lot. You will absolutely love the 2013 Winnebago Access Premier as you will get mobbed by other travelers at the RV park who want to take a peek inside this vehicle.

Let’s take a look at what this recreational vehicle has to offer. You have a choice of 3 family-friendly floor plans to choose from as the RV is packed with standard features such as MCD solar/blackout roller shades and LED ceiling lights. Walking through this Class C motor home, you will be taken in by the d

 

ark Forest Cherry cabinetry throughout the kitchen and bedroom area. If you are looking for a lighter shade to the cabinets, you can change them to the Coffee-Glazed Vienna Maple cabinetry.

Relax while heading to your destination in the ultra leather cab seats or sofa/sleeper while listening to the satellite radio or watching digital LCD TV with the 14,800 BTU air conditioner keeping you cool. One of the many perks to the 2013 Winnebago Access premier is the almost silent 4,000-watt micro-quiet gas generator from Cummins Onan and the 1,000-watt AC/DC converter. So you will have plenty of power if you decide to go on a solitary camping trip away from the crowded RV parks and resorts.

When you get to your destination, drop down the powered patio awning as you can relax in your lawn chairs and enjoy the scenery. And the fun won’t stop when the sun goes down over the horizon. LED lighting on the patio awning lets you stay out late at night sharing camping stories or doing a bit of star-gazing with the kids.

The 2013 Winnebago Access Premier has so much to offer to people looking for a recreational vehicle. While it costs a little more than other vehicles, you are definitely getting your money’s worth in the way of features and amenities that you won’t mind the extra price to drive this luxury vehicle down the road.

So stop in at PleasureLand RV Center to take a look at all the 2013 Winnebago Access Premier C Class motor homes that we have in stock. You are sure to find the perfect one that will help you get to your destination in safety and comfort.

Summer Travel in the BC Coast, Jasper and Banff

You’ve taken your rig to Pleasureland RV, and you know it’s ready for the open road. But are you really ready? Do you have your reservations and campgrounds picked? If your summer travel plans include the Jasper/Banff and BC coast areas, you’ll want to plan strategically, because summer is peak season for these areas.

 

Get Reservations Early

When it comes to summer RV travel Canada is difficult to beat. This means that stunning views and relaxing atmospheres await you, but it also means there are numerous other RV enthusiasts joining you on the road. Because of this, particular in popular areas along the BC coast and the Banff/Jasper region, you will want to get reservations early. As soon as you know your dates for travel, start calling campgrounds to find a spot.

 

Traveling Without Reservations

If you have waited too long and will be traveling without reservations, you will want to look for parks that don’t take reservations. Chances are the parks that do will be full. Some campgrounds in Banff and Jasper don’t take reservations, so this might be an option. Be sure to arrive early to find a spot.

For private campgrounds, summer is peak season, so you won’t likely find a spot without a reservation. If you must travel without reservations, try to travel towards the beginning or end of summer, and during the week. Weekends will be the most challenging time to find a spot.

As you pick up your RV from Pleasureland and head out on the road this summer, make sure you have planned well this is a popular area to tour this time of year, so get your reservations in early, and you will have a great time.

2013 Itasca Suncruiser

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With all the features and amenities your family could ever want in an RV, the 2013 Itasca Suncruiser is the home away from home you have always dreamed of. This fantastic motor home comes with all the features you need to be comfortable on the road, including a full kitchen, bath, and bedrooms. Their are three different floor plans available for the Itasca Suncruiser, all of them filled with features that will make everyone in your family happy, and you the envy of your friends and neighbors.

You won’t have to sweat the heat with the new TrueAir® Maximum Comfort A/C. This system is fully functional and is sure to keep you and your family happy in the hot, humid summer months ahead.

Another great feature that owners of the Itasca Suncruiser love is the master bathroom available in the 37f model. In addition to a large, spacious master bathroom, the Suncruiser also has a smaller, separate bathroom for guests. This means no more waiting to use the bathroom. You can finally relax and take your time while you are on vacation.

Other features that owners love include the luscious Ultraleather seating. These soft, comfortable seats are great for lounging and relaxing, or just enjoying the drive. There is plenty of seating for the whole family, so no one needs to feel cramped or crowded.

The Suncruiser also has plenty of sleeping space, including a queen bed that has a state of the art, high quality, fully automatic, fully adjustable comfort control mattress. Other sleeping options include the sofa in the lounge area that converts into a bed for passengers and extra guests.

You are sure to enjoy the look and feel of the new Suncruiser RV. This motor home will quickly begin to feel like your new home as you begin to have many wonderful adventures on the road. Come into Pleasureland RV and check out one of the many display models we have available for your perusal.

Summer Events in Minnesota

Screen Shot 2013-06-10 at 2.44.54 PM Summer is here. With the kids out of school and some bright sunny days ahead, its a great time to go on a great American family summer road trip in your RV. The good news is that you don’t have to go far with all the great summer events and festivals in Minnesota. Here are some of the most exciting events this summer.

Minnesota Irish Music Weekend

This is the 6th year for this annual event which celebrates all things Irish. This annual festival, which is held the weekend of June 13-16th in St. Paul at the Center for Irish Music, features world renowned Irish music. Music lovers of all ages can enjoy a pubic concert as well as workshops in traditional Irish music and dance. There will also be lectures on Irish Music History.

02 Runners Grandma’s Marathon and Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon
This exciting race is a benefit to help cure lung cancer. The race is held in Duluth MN, and begins at 6:45 am on June 22nd. Join the race to help find a cure, or come be a spectator and cheer on the racers.

Twin Cities Jazz Festival

If you love Jazz, you will love this festival being held in St. Paul. This is the 15th year for this exciting annual event, and you definitely don’t want to miss this. The three day festival, which features prominent jazz artists from all over, is being held from June 27th through June 29th and is free due to the support of generous sponsors.

34th Annual Riverboat Days Festival

This is another festival you and your family won’t want to miss. The two day festival, which begins Friday July 26th begins with a karaoke contest. Saturday is filled with events that the whole family will love, including a parade, the Lost Highway, and an all day Arts Crafts Fair.

Vintage Band Festival

At the end of the summer, as things are beginning to wind down and the kids are about to go back to school comes the Vintange Band Festival. This four day celebration, from August 1st through the 4th, features a variety of bands from the U.S. and abroad. Don’t miss out on what is sure to be the event of the summer.

Father’s Day in Your RV

One of the great things about having an RV is that you can go just about anywhere. Your father does a lot for your, so for father’s day, why not plan a trip that will make him feel like the most special man in the world. There are some great events going on in Minnesota for Father’s Day, and you could take him to one of those.

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Father’s Day 5K

This annual race brings fathers and their children together on Sunday June 17. The race is held at Lake Phalen, and is a celebration of healthy active generations. The race begins at 8:30, and is followed by a 1/4 mile run for kids. Race participates must pre-register, but you can also come the day of the race and be a spectator.

Father’s Day Paddle and Picnic

You and your dad can visit Oseca Landing and spend the day paddling kayaks. Start the day with breakfast at Oseca Landing, and then head into the water for some fun paddling through the rapids. After Kayaking, you and dad can spend some quality time together at the BBQ.This annual event is sponsored by Wahoo Adventures, and is sure to be a blast.

Father’s Day Lunch and Outdoor Activities

This a fun event for the whole family. Everyone, especially dad will love this picnic at the log cabin lodge at Baker Near Wilderness Settlement. Enjoy brats and burgers at this annual picnic while you experience the beauty and splendor of nature. There are also naturalist led activities including rock climbing, archery, and more.

No matter what you decide to do with dad for father’s day, it is sure to be fun filled day full of laughter, fun, and nature. You can create memories that you and your father will come to cherish for years to come. And if you have children of your own, they can join in the fun and excitement as well. No one needs to be left out on this day that celebrates our fathers.