July 28th, 2016 -
St. Augustine, Florida, is a popular RV destination among snowbirds and summer beach-goers. However, you may be wondering if it’s the right destination for you. This review of the historic Florida city, and its picture-perfect beaches, will help you determine if you should fire up your RV and cruise down to the Sunshine State.
Outdoor Recreation
Many RV enthusiasts choose their destinations based on the number of outdoor activities that can be enjoyed there. St. Augustine offers something for everyone, ranging from acclaimed golf courses to state parks, marinas and beaches. Whether you’re into horseback riding, fishing, hiking, boating, biking or kayaking, you can enjoy it all in this seaside Florida city.
History
St. Augustine offers a different culture than many other Florida towns. Instead of relying entirely on its beaches for tourism, the city is home to an array of tourist attractions, including history museums, Spanish colonial architecture, ancient homes and more. The city claims to be the oldest in the United States, and the pristine Castillo de San Marcos 17th-century fortress allows visitors to travel back in time while overlooking the picture-perfect St. Augustine Inlet.
The Beaches
Despite its incredible history and number of available activities, St. Augustine is most famous for its white sand beaches and turquoise ocean waters. Instead of offering one beach for visitors to cram, St. Augustine allows beachcombers to enjoy more space at several nearby beach strands. Vilano Beach, South Ponte Vedra Beach, Anastasia State Park, St. Augustine Beach and Butler Beach are just a few of the many that can be explored by visitors.
St. Augustine Camping
St. Augustine is home to a number of RV parks that make camping close to the action easy; however, these parks can get extremely crowded in the busy summer and winter months.
St. Augustine receives a 4 out of 5 score for its history, beaches, crowds and all of the other features that make this area of Florida so special.
Start preparing for your summer and winter getaways today right here at the PleasureLand RV Centers throughout Minnesota.
July 26th, 2016 -
Geocaching is one of the most addictive outdoor adventures. This real-life outdoor scavenger hunt is fun for the entire family, and all you need is a GPS-enabled device to give it a try. If you’re ready to start enjoying one of the newest and most exciting outdoor adventures available, this guide to geocaching will help you get started.
What You Need
Geocaching is a scavenger hunt based on GPS coordinates. All you need is a smartphone or other device with GPS capabilities to find your first cache.
What Is a Geocache?
Geocaches aren’t always the same. They vary in size and shape but are typically found in some sort of water-tight container. The size of the geocache will be displayed on the cache page, so you’ll now what to look for when you’re out hunting. Geocaches vary in size from micro (less than 100 mililiters) to large (20 liters or larger).
Each cache contains a logbook and a treasure. Geocachers are expected to take the item inside the cache and replace it with something else before placing the cache back where it was found.
Where Can Geocaches Be Found?
Geocaches are found all over the world, and there’s probably one near you right now. Anyone can hide a geocache, and they’ve been found everywhere from mountain peaks to deep under the sea. You can hide your own geocache by following the Geocache Listing Guidelines and submitting your cache for review.
Locating a Cache
Locate your first geocache today by logging onto the Geocaching.com website and choosing a cache near you. Type the coordinates of the cache into your GPS, then follow your GPS to the cache’s location. Your GPS device may not lead you directly to your find, so be sure to search if the cache isn’t in plain sight. Again, remember to put the cache back in the same location before leaving.
Don’t forget to stop in and see us at PleasureLand RV Center when you’re out locating treasures on your RV travels.
July 21st, 2016 -
RVing is about enjoying the RV, your friends and family, and the open road. You don’t want to worry about the negative or dwell on what can go wrong. And you shouldn’t have to. By taking some basic precautionary steps, you can help to safeguard the things that matter to you when you’re out on the road and gain some peace of mind, while still having fun.
1. Keep Your Valuables Stowed Away
While theft of your RV is a concern, oftentimes a break-in will occur simply to steal a valuable item that can be seen through the window. Whenever you leave your RV alone, take a moment to assess the items you have out that may be attractive to a burglar, such as laptop computers, tablets, jewelry, and other valuables. Stow these and similar items out of sight when you leave by placing them in bags, cases, cabinets, drawers, or even under a jacket or towel. By eliminating incentives for a break-in, your eliminate the chances that one will occur. If you have items that can be used to compromise your identity, such as passports or social security cards, consider a safe or lock box.
2. Research Your Destinations
While you’re probably already researching hours of operation, directions, prices, and RV amenities, you may want to add an additional point to your checklist: crime rate. Whether your destination is urban or rural, it’s good to know how safe an area you plan to visit is. Avoiding crime-prone areas is the best defense against burglary and break-ins. By staying to areas with low crime rates, you significantly reduce the chance of being a victim.
3. Lock Up
While it may seem like an obvious suggestion, it can be easy to overlook, especially if you’re having a good time and potential misfortune is far from your mind. Locking up is a simple precaution that you should practice regardless of how long you’ll be leaving your RV out of sight. Even if you’re just taking a short hike or heading to the nearby lake for a swim, make sure you lock up every point of access and double check to make sure it’s securely closed. Take all keys with you and don’t trust a copy of your keys to anyone you don’t know.
4. Ensure That Your RV is Equipped to Handle Fires
Not every threat comes from strangers – fire is a valid concern to any RVer and can quickly destroy your property if you have no plan in place to address it. By simply equipping your RV with fire extinguishers and smoke detectors, you can drastically reduce the risk of a fire getting out of control. Setup an inspection schedule to check that your extinguishers and smoke detectors are operational and effective.
5. Insure Your Property
If the worst comes to pass and your RV or possessions are stolen or destroyed, you’ll want to have as much as possible insured so that you can recover and get back to the life you’ve worked so hard to attain. Don’t leave your valuables out on a limb; rather, make sure they’re backed up by a reliable insurance plan.
Visit PleasureLand RV Center
Come see us at PleasureLand RV Center to see our entire RV inventory or receive RV service.
July 19th, 2016 -
The RV lifestyle means time spent with your friends and family in the great outdoors. It doesn’t mean spending hours in the kitchen creating elaborate meals. However, you don’t have to sacrifice delicious dinners to live life on the road. These three mouthwatering RV dinners can be made in under 30 minutes, and they’re guaranteed to wow your friends and family.
1. Aunt Stacy’s Sloppy Joes
What you’ll need:
- 4 pounds ground beef
- 1 green pepper
- 1 medium onion
- 4 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon glutamate food enhancer
- 2 cups ketchup
- 4 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 4 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup water
Cooking instructions:
- Brown the ground beef, then drain.
- Chop the green pepper and onion, then add them to the ground beef pan.
- In a separate mixing bowl, combine the ketchup, water, vinegar, brown sugar, seasonings and Worcestershire sauce. Add this mixture to the ground beef and vegetables.
- Simmer the entire mixture for 20 minutes and enjoy.
2. Easy Breezy Chicken Casserole
What you’ll need:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 small can mushrooms (drained)
- 1 family-size box rice and pasta mix
- 1 large can green chiles (diced)
- 1 small can chopped olives (drained)
- 2 cups (1 full package) Monterey Jack cheese, grated
- 1 small container sour cream
Cooking instructions:
- Cook the chicken for about 15 minutes on each side, then cut the breasts into bite-size pieces.
- Cook the rice and pasta mix according to the instructions on the package.
- Layer your green chiles in the bottom of a casserole dish, then layer the other ingredients on top in this order: chicken, rice and pasta mix, mushrooms, olives, cheese and sour cream.
- Bake the casserole for about 15 minutes or until the cheese has melted.
- Serve with your favorite bread and salad.
3. Italian Sausage Kabobs
What you’ll need:
- 2 medium zucchini (cut into 2-inch pieces)
- 1 medium green pepper (cut into 2-inch pieces)
- 1 medium onion (cut into 2-inch pieces)
- 1 medium red pepper (cut into 2-inch pieces)
- 1 1/2 pounds Italian-style sausage (cut into 2-inch pieces)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon dried basil leaves
- 1 can pizza sauce
Cooking instructions:
- Stir the pizza sauce, oil and basil together, then set aside.
- Cook the sausage pieces in a skillet over medium heat until they’re partially cooked.
- Drain the sausage grease.
- Place the zucchini pieces, peppers, onions and sausage pieces on metal skewers in an alternating order.
- Grill the kabobs covered over medium heat. Turn them two to four times and brush them with the reserved pizza sauce every time.
- Remove from heat when the sausage is fully cooked and the veggies are tender.
If you’re searching for the perfect RV for the late summer and fall RV seasons, there’s no better place to shop than right here at PleasureLand RV Center. Give us a call, log online or stop in and see us to start your new RV lifestyle today.
July 14th, 2016 -
Summer RV adventures are some of the best of the year. They involve warm summer days and cooling off in rivers, lakes and oceans across the country. It’s also one of the best times of year to get in the water and catch some fish. These four fly fishing spots are some of the best in the country, so you can catch more fish on your summer adventures this year.
San Juan River, New Mexico
There’s no better way to cool down on a hot New Mexico day than in the waters of the San Juan River. It’s one of the country’s most impressive big-trout rivers, known for sending fishermen home with trout as long as their arms. Catch brown, rainbow, and rainbow-cutthroats one after the other. The fishing gets a bit busier in the summer months, but don’t worry, there are plenty of trout in the San Juan to go around.
Alagnak River, Alaska
A trip to Alaska this summer may seem like a journey, but it’s the best time to visit a state that is frigidly cold in the winter months. Guided fly fishing tours are some of the best ways to go on the Alagnak, because the experts will guide you to the best spots to snag massive arctic grayling, rainbow trout and Pacific salmon. Other perks of fishing in Alaska are the moose, beaver, eagle and Alaskan brown bear sightings that are common along the river.
Bighorn River, Montana
Montana is known for some of the country’s most impressive fly fishing areas, and the Bighorn River is guaranteed to send you home with some massive trout. The waters are highly productive, which means large amounts of insects hatch year-round. Don’t be surprised if you reel in more trout than you can eat.
Colorado River Headwaters, Colorado
If you’re not into fishing with crowds, you’ll love a guided experience on the ponds, alpine lakes and rivers of the Colorado River headwaters. Ten miles of private water provide some of the best catch-and-release fly fishing for brook, cutthroat, rainbow and brown trout in the U.S.
Start Your Adventure at PleasureLand RV Center
Start all of your summer RV adventures right here at PleasureLand RV Center. Whether you’re in need of a new RV, service, or simply some camping supplies, PleasureLand RV Center has got you covered.
July 11th, 2016 -
Summer is now in full swing, and temperatures across the country are rising. Hot summer temperatures can be far more dangerous for your pets than they can for you, so it’s important to keep them cool when you start to feel the heat. Ensure your pets are as comfortable as you are this July with these simple tips for keeping them cool.
Adjust Your Outdoor Time
If you’re used to walking your pup in the afternoon, you may need to change your schedule. Consider walking early in the morning and late at night to avoid the hottest part of the day.
Follow the Signs
Unfortunately, dogs can’t talk, but they can give you a good idea of if they’re overheating or not. If you’re out for a hike, and your dog keeps searching for water or trying to lay in the shade, it’s time to go home. These are both signs that your dog is starting to overheat.
Feel the Air for Yourself
The bottom line is that if it’s too hot outside for you, it’s too hot for your pet. If you’re going to let your pet hang out in the yard, see if you’re able to sit outside for an extended amount of time first. If you’re overheating, your dog will be too.
Use Room-Temperature Water
If you see your pet overheating, you may run for an ice pack. Instead, cool him or her down with room-temperature water and a fan. Cold water and ice packs can cause the blood vessels to constrict, making it more difficult to lose the heat.
Travel in Comfort
Keep yourself and your pets cool this summer in the comfort of a new RV from the PleasureLand RV Center. Stop in and see us in St. Cloud, Ramsey, Brainerd or Long Prairie to shop our selection of the industry’s latest and greatest RVs today.
July 6th, 2016 -
July is one of the best times of year to spend time outdoors in St. Cloud, and the city offers tons of events for locals and visitors to enjoy. The following three festivals, concerts and other events are just a few of the many ways to get outside and experience the city this month.
Middle Eastern Festival
Learn more about the Middle East at the St George Antiochian Orthodox Church on July 15, 16 and 17. This ninth annual edition of the event will feature family-friendly games, live entertainment, a traditional Middle Eastern marketplace, a silent auction, camel rides and tons of delicious Middle Eastern cuisine. Admission is free, and everyone is invited to come take part in the cultural fun.
Loring Park Art Festival
Loring Park’s brightly-colored wildflowers and formal gardens are the ultimate setting for a day of live music, food, art and entertainment. The Loring Park Art Festival, held on July 30 and 31, will features 140 top-quality artists circling the picturesque pond. The park, located in Minneapolis, is just a 1-hour drive from downtown St. Cloud, and the event will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., on Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., on Sunday.
Takin’ It to the Streets ’16 Music Festival
End the month of July with a bang at the Takin’ It to the Streets ’16 Music Festival right here in St. Cloud. The July 30, event will take place from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., and will feature Lou Gramm, Collective Unconscious, Transit Authority and Allman Joy. Details and tickets can be found at ppfive.com.
Make This Summer the Best One Yet
Make the summer of 2016 the best one yet by purchasing a new or used RV from our PleasureLand RV Center lot in St. Cloud. Log online, give us a call or stop in and see us to find out about our unbeatable summer sales.
June 29th, 2016 -
Buying an RV is a purchase you’ll never regret. Owning an RV means more time spent out exploring, more time with the ones you love and more time to relax. When you commit to the RV lifestyle, whether you travel full or part-time, your life becomes less stressful and more fulfilling.
The RV Lifestyle Is Affordable
One of the greatest benefits of RV ownership is that traveling in an RV is more affordable than traveling other ways. Travelers who use their RVs for vacations save big money by not purchasing flights, costly hotel rooms or expensive meals at restaurants. Those who travel full-time have the opportunity to live in a compact space that is far more affordable than the average home. Even utility costs are drastically reduced when you’re living life on the road.
The RV Lifestyle Is Simple
Life at home is stressful, but life on the road is relaxing. The RV lifestyle forces you to live in a compact space with the ones you love. Inside an RV, belongings are limited and time spent together is maximized. Stepping away from your busy daily lives helps everyone relax and make memories together.
The RV Lifestyle Presents New Opportunities
Every time you hit the road in your RV, you encounter new people, places and adventures. The RV lifestyle keeps life interesting by presenting kids and adults with new experiences on a daily basis. You may think traveling in an RV will broaden your kids horizons, but there’s no doubt it will broaden yours too.
The RV Lifestyle Keeps You Active
Traveling in your RV means you’re cruising to scenic places, campgrounds and other recreational spaces. When you’re not cruising down the road, you’re outside exploring your natural surroundings, playing games with fellow campers and embracing the great outdoors. Additionally, the compact space inside your RV practically forces your family to get out and explore together.
Find Your Ideal RV at PleasureLand RV Center
Finding the perfect RV for your traveling family can seem intimidating at first, but our qualified PleasureLand RV staff is here to help. Log online or stop in and see us at PleasureLand RV Center to find the RV of your dreams and start enjoying the benefits of RV ownership today!
June 27th, 2016 -
The summer camping season is all about spending time with friends and family in the great outdoors. The American Southwest is packed with some of the best family camping destinations in the country. Whether you’re looking for a beach escape, relaxing woodsy getaway or a trip to one of America’s most iconic wonders, there’s an RV destination in the Southwest waiting for you to visit this summer.
Jamaica Beach RV Park — Texas
There’s nothing quite like being on the ocean in the summertime, and the Jamaica Beach RV Park on Galveston Island is one of the best places to soak in the sun. It’s one of the newest RV parks on the island, offering breathtaking views of the Gulf of Mexico and the Galveston Bay area. The campground features 111 RV sites with full hookups, mini golf, tether ball, a splash pad, bounce house, adult pool with swim-up bar, hot tub, family pool and summer movies. Best of all, the beach and gorgeous Gulf of Mexico are directly across the street.
Cave Springs Campground — Sedona
Families who enjoy hikes in the woods, bird watching, sandstone peaks and fishing in streams will love the Cave Springs Campground in Arizona’s Oak Creek Canyon. The campsites are shady, nearby hiking trails are plentiful and Slide Rock State Park (with its famous swimming hole) is just minutes away.
The campground features 82 sites and coin-operated showers, grills, vault toilets and drinking water. There are no sites with hookups, but motorhomes and travel trailers up to 36-feet long are always welcome.
North Rim Campground — Grand Canyon Village
There’s no summer adventure quite like one to the iconic Grand Canyon. The North Rim Campground is located at Grand Canyon National Park, so you’re always seconds from one of the world’s most magnificent wonders. Adventurous hikers will love the location for its easy access to the 14.2-mile-long trail that leads into the canyon.
The park doesn’t offer sites with hookups, but it always welcomes RV campers. A dump station, restrooms, campsite grills, showers and coin-operated laundry machines are available for campers as well. Fees for the North Rim Campground are $18 to $25 per night in addition to the usual park fee. Be sure to reserve your campsite as far ahead of time as possible, because the Grand Canyon is even more popular in the summer months.
Visit PleasureLand RV Center
Whether you’re shopping for a new RV or just need some service and maintenance before heading out, PleasureLand RV Center has got you covered!
June 22nd, 2016 -
The RV lifestyle means time spent with your friends and family in the great outdoors. It doesn’t mean spending hours in the kitchen creating elaborate meals. However, you don’t have to sacrifice delicious dinners to live life on the road. These three mouthwatering RV dinners can be made in under 30 minutes, and they’re guaranteed to wow your friends and family.
1. Aunt Jane’s Sloppy Joes
What you’ll need:
- 4 pounds ground beef
- 1 green pepper
- 1 medium onion
- 4 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon glutamate food enhancer
- 2 cups ketchup
- 4 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 4 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup water
Cooking instructions:
- Brown the ground beef, then drain.
- Chop the green pepper and onion, then add them to the ground beef pan.
- In a separate mixing bowl, combine the ketchup, water, vinegar, brown sugar, seasonings and Worcestershire sauce. Add this mixture to the ground beef and vegetables.
- Simmer the entire mixture for 20 minutes and enjoy.
2. Easy Breezy Chicken Casserole
What you’ll need:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 small can mushrooms (drained)
- 1 family-size box rice and pasta mix
- 1 large can green chiles (diced)
- 1 small can chopped olives (drained)
- 2 cups (1 full package) Monterey Jack cheese, grated
- 1 small container sour cream
Cooking instructions:
- Cook the chicken for about 15 minutes on each side, then cut the breasts into bite-size pieces.
- Cook the rice and pasta mix according to the instructions on the package.
- Layer your green chiles in the bottom of a casserole dish, then layer the other ingredients on top in this order: chicken, rice and pasta mix, mushrooms, olives, cheese and sour cream.
- Bake the casserole for about 15 minutes or until the cheese has melted.
- Serve with your favorite bread and salad.
3. Italian Sausage Kabobs
What you’ll need:
- 2 medium zucchini (cut into 2-inch pieces)
- 1 medium green pepper (cut into 2-inch pieces)
- 1 medium onion (cut into 2-inch pieces)
- 1 medium red pepper (cut into 2-inch pieces)
- 1 1/2 pounds Italian-style sausage (cut into 2-inch pieces)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon dried basil leaves
- 1 can pizza sauce
Cooking instructions:
- Stir the pizza sauce, oil and basil together, then set aside.
- Cook the sausage pieces in a skillet over medium heat until they’re partially cooked.
- Drain the sausage grease.
- Place the zucchini pieces, peppers, onions and sausage pieces on metal skewers in an alternating order.
- Grill the kabobs covered over medium heat. Turn them two to four times and brush them with the reserved pizza sauce every time.
- Remove from heat when the sausage is fully cooked and the veggies are tender.
If you’re searching for the perfect RV for the summer, there’s no better place to shop than right here at PleasureLand RV Center in Minnesota. Give us a call, login online or stop in and see us to start your new RV lifestyle today.
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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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