Visiting Interstate State Park

Situated along the beautiful St. Croix River in Minnesota, Interstate State Park is one of the better state parks in the state. The park as tons of activities and plenty of interesting features to explore.

You can climb the cliffs of the St. Croix River Dalles, canoe the flat-water, kayak on the rapids, or just relax on an excursion boat. The geology of the park is fascinating; at least 10 different lava flows are exposed around the park, as well as two distinct glacial deposits, traces of old streams, and plenty of valleys and faults. The lava flows are the result of earthquakes from 1.1 billion years ago that opened rifts in the ground and allowed magma to release. The park was hit by advancing and receding ancient seas up until 70 million years ago, which deposited plenty of fossils along the cliffs.

The park is a great place to hike and explore during the summer since the terrain is varied and provides plenty of surprises. As you hike you can view wildlife that are endemic to the region, such as white-tailed deer, skunks, raccoons, squirrels, and various birds. The park has an abundant population of owls, which you can hear if it’s quiet near evening.

Visit PleasureLand RV Center

Stop by PleasureLand RV Center this summer before you hit the road for Interstate State Park or any other destination in Minnesota or beyond. Whether you need to shop for a new motorhome to take you to all of your favorite summer vacation spots or have an RV already and need it to be checked out before you embark, PleasureLand RV Center can help.

A Mouthwatering Ice Cream Recipe for National Ice Cream Month

July is National Ice Cream Month, and we can’t think of any better way to celebrate than with a mouthwatering and ultra-easy ice cream recipe for your travels. Stock your RV with an ice cream maker, and your family can enjoy tasty and affordable frozen treats any time of day.

Homemade Butter Pecan Ice Cream

This homemade butter pecan ice cream recipe tastes even better than the ice cream shop and costs a fraction of the price to make.

What you’ll need:

  • 1/3 cup chopped pecans
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 2 eggs (beaten)
  • 1 1/2 cups half-and-half
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream

Preparation instructions:

  1. Cook the pecans in the butter in a small skillet on medium heat. Stir the mixture constantly for 3 to 5 minutes or until they’re lightly browned. Set the pecans aside.
  2. Whisk the eggs in a mixing bowl and set them aside.
  3. Stir the brown sugar and half-and-half together in a saucepan. Bring it to a boil on medium-high heat. Remove the half-and-half mixture from the heat and gradually pour it into the eggs. Whisk constantly until the mixture forms a custard.
  4. Move your custard back to the saucepan and cook it while stirring occasionally. Continue cooking until the mixture is able to coat the back of the spoon.
  5. Remove the mixture from the heat and stir in the pecans, vanilla and cream.
  6. Pour your custard into the ice cream maker and freeze it according to the instructions from the manufacturer.
  7. Enjoy on a cone, in a bowl or however you please.

Find Hot Summer Items at PleasureLand RV Center

Whether you’re interested in a new or used RV for your summer adventures or something as simple as a few camping supplies to help you make the most of your time outside, we have all of your summer outdoor needs right here at the PleasureLand RV Center in Minnesota.

RV to Moondance Jam 2017

The summer music fests continue with Moondance Jam 2017, a rock and classic rock festival that encourages camping out. It takes place in Walker, Minnesota, July 20, 21, and 22 with a special “pre jam” scheduled on the 19th.

The lineup is pretty rocking and the schedule is now available:

Pre Jam Party, July 19

  • The Fabulous Armadillos
  • The Atomic Punks
  • Mountain Ash

July 20

  • Halestorm
  • The Pretty Reckless
  • Vince Neil of Motley Crue
  • Dorothy
  • Cold Kingdom

July 21

  • Live
  • Melissa Etheridge
  • Black Stone Cherry
  • Starship featuring Mickey Thomas
  • Cowboy Mouth

July 22

  • Steve Miller Band
  • Peter Frampton
  • Better Than Ezra
  • Jack Russell’s Great White
  • ThundHerStruck

Campgrounds are available but are reserved on a first come, first served basis, so get yours reserved as soon as possible if you want a place on site to park your RV.

Visit PleasureLand RV Center

Before you hit the road for any destination this summer in your RV, be sure to stop by PleasureLand RV Center to make sure that your RV is in good shape for travel. If you don’t have an RV or you do but it’s time to upgrade, stop by PleasureLand RV Center to tour a new or used motorhome or travel trailer.

Hit the Road to Rock Fest XVII in Your RV

Rock Fest XVII is set for July 13, 14, and 15 in Cadott, Wisonsin, and if you’re a rock lover it’s one music festival that you’re not going to want to miss.

The lineup is phenomenal this year with dozens of bands and artists taking to the stage over the festival’s 3 days.

July 13 has acts such as Slayer, Volbeat, Lamb of God, Anthrax, Insane Clown Posse, Mushroomhead, Gemini Syndrome, Failure Anthem, Badflower, Rachel Lorin, Sin 7, Awaken the Shadow, Valora, The Nearly Deads, The Zealots, Hand of the Tribe, The 9th Planet Out, Kissin Time, Cowboys from Hell, Antistar, Anthem, and Probable Cause.

July 14 has artists like Avenged Sevenfold, Korn, Stone Sour, Clutch, Cinderella’s Tom Keifer, Lita Ford, Avatar, Texas Hippie Coalition, Lacey Storm, One Less Reason, Scattered Hamlet, Nuisance, Valora, The Nearly Deads, Emergent, Emperors and Elephants, Motley 2, Rock N Roll, Via, Oblivious Signal, Scarlet Canary, and Stare Across.

Finally, July 15 has Rob Zombie, Shinedown, Megadeth, Sevendust, Hellyeah, Lit, Thousand Foot Krutch, Vimic, Devour the Day, City of the Weak, Shallow Side, Veilside, Ignescent, Matrekis, The Crown Jewels, Who’s Who, Fall II Rise, Wrecked, 7’s Catacomb, and My Memory Remains.

Campgrounds are available if you want to attend in your RV, which is definitely a major convenience at any music festival.

Visit PleasureLand RV Center

Before you hit the road for any destination this summer, such as Rock Fest XVII, in your RV, be sure to stop by PleasureLand RV Center to make sure that your RV is in good shape for travel. If you don’t have an RV or you do but it’s time to upgrade, stop by PleasureLand RV Center to tour a new or used motorhome or travel trailer.

Temperance River State Park

As the name would suggest, Temperance River is the centerpiece of this Minnesota state park. The crown jewel, perhaps, is the trail that follows the river, winding along the Temperance River Gorge, where hikers can hear the rushing waterfalls surrounded by pine, spruce, cedar, and birch trees in the forest.

The sprawling park, which covers over 5000 acres of land, gets nearly 300,000 visitors every year. The park’s most popular hobbies and activities include rock climbing, fishing, hiking, camping, nature watching, and sight seeing.

As far as nature observation, there’s plenty of wildlife to be seen in the park and sightings are common. The river itself is full of trout, including brook, brown, and rainbow.

The origin of the name of the river is a bit humorous: in the past, the river flowed so strongly into Lake Superior that there was no buildup of debris, so it had no bar. What kind of river has no “bar?” One that’s temperate, of course!

The park is located at 7620 West Hwy 61, Schroeder, Minnesota. The entrance is one mile north of Schroeder along Hwy 61.

Visit PleasureLand RV Center

Stop by PleasureLand RV Center before you hit the road to make sure that your rig is road worthy. If it’s time to upgrade your RV, or even if you’re shopping for your first, PleasureLand RV Center can help make sure that you get an RV that’s right for you.

The Top 3 Hiking Trails in Minnesota

There are countless scenic hiking trails throughout Minnesota for all levels of hikers, and the following three are a few of our favorites.

Minnehaha Creek East

One of the biggest perks of Minnesota’s hiking trails is that they can be enjoyed during all seasons. This hike along the Minnehaha Creek is nearly 5 miles of breathtaking scenery in the summertime, but it’s certainly more difficult when there’s snow on the ground. It’s located Richfield, Minn., so you can enjoy a refreshing breath of the Minnesota outdoors just minutes from downtown Minneapolis.

Eagle Mountain Summit

Hikes are more fun when there’s a reward at the end. Eagle Mountain is the highest peak in the state, and the 6.6-mile-long tail that leads to the summit passes a glacial lake and scenic backcountry campsites. Hikers enjoy the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, which includes 1,000 lakes as well as the massive Superior National Forest. The trail to the top is mostly flat with a steeper incline for the last mile, but be sure to stop at Whale Lake for a refreshing dip and a picnic.

Cascade Falls to Lookout Mountain

Hiking past waterfalls never gets old, and the Cascade Falls to Lookout Mountain passes countless of them. Venture on the 4.1-mile-long hike, and you’ll be rewarded with cascades, scenic wooded hills and unbeatable views of Lake Superior from the top. The trail is located in the Cascade River State Park in Duluth, offering a breathtaking escape from the city.

Start Your Adventure at PleasureLand

There’s no better way to travel to your favorite Minnesota hiking trails than in the comfort and convenience of your RV. Stop in and see us at one of our many Minnesota PleasureLand RV Center locations to start your new RV lifestyle today.

11th Annual Moondance Jammin Country Fest

Attending music fests in your RV is probably one of the reasons you got your motorhome in the first place, right? After all, there’s nothing quite like a weekend full of music, food, and fun where your home is parked practically in sight of the stage.

If you’re interested in some live country music, check out the Moondance Jammin Country Fest, now in its 11th year. The festival runs from June 23 to 24 in Walker, Minnesota, with a “pre-jam” on June 22. Tickets are on sale now!

The scheduled lineup for this year is:

June 22 – Thursday

  • Devon Worley at 6pm
  • Maiden Dixie at 8pm
  • Parmalee at 10pm

June 23 – Friday

  • Drew Baldridge at 4pm
  • Eric Paslay at 6pm
  • Dan + Shay at 8pm
  • Old Dominion at 10pm

June 24 – Saturday

  • LANco at 4pm
  • William Michael Morgan at 6pm
  • Danielle Bradbery at 8pm
  • Thomas Rhett at 10pm

Other scheduled events include a traveling art pub, Harvest Moon beer tasting, a tribute to Bill Bieloh, a beer pong tournament, a tribute to the troops, and a breakfast buffet and Bloody Mary bar the the Lazy Moon.

Visit PleasureLand RV Center

Stop by PleasureLand RV Center this summer to find an RV that’s right for you if you don’t own one yet. Even if you do, it may be time to upgrade. Whatever the case, you can find your dream RV right here at PleasureLand RV Center before you head out on road trips or to more music fests. Visit the service department if you just need a quick checkup on your rig before you take it cross country.

Recipes for Your Summer RV Adventure

The summer RV season is here and that means its time to enjoy some meals outside at the campsite. These delicious summer eats are easy to make in the comfort of your RV, and they’re so delicious your family and friends will be coming back for seconds.

Exotic Summer Salad

What you’ll need:

  • 1 can sliced mushrooms (drained)
  • 1 can artichoke hearts (drained)
  • 1 can hearts of palm (drained and sliced)
  • 1 can black olives (drained and sliced)
  • 1 can baby corn (drained)
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1 clove garlic (minced)
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 2 sprigs fresh parsley (chopped)
  • 4 leaves fresh basil (chopped)
  • salt and pepper to taste

Preparation instructions:

  1. Combine the mushrooms, artichoke hearts, hearts of palm, olives and baby corn together in a large bowl.
  2. In a separate small bowl, mix the olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, parsley, basil, salt and pepper together thoroughly.
  3. Pour the dressing over the vegetables, mix and chill for two hours before serving.

Pork with Peach and Black Bean Salsa

What you’ll need:

  • 1 pound pork tenderloin (cubed)
  • 1/4 cup cornmeal
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/4 cup beer
  • 1 cup prepared salsa
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro
  • 1 can peaches (sliced and drained)
  • 1/2 can black beans (drained and liquid reserved)

Cooking instructions:

  1. Season the cubed pork meat with salt and pepper to your liking.
  2. Place the meat in a large plastic bag and pour the cornmeal into the bag. Shake until coated.
  3. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, warm the olive oil and saute meat until browned (about 10 minutes). Lower heat to medium.
  4. Pour the beer, peaches, salsa and beans into the skillet with 2 tablespoons of black bean liquid.
  5. Stir thoroughly and let simmer for roughly 20 minutes. Stir in the cilantro and serve.

Visit PleasureLand RV Center

There’s no better place to start your summer RV adventures than right here at PleasureLand RV Center in Minnesota. We have all of the new and used RVs, parts, accessories and camping supplies you need to live your dream RV lifestyle.

RV to Winstock 2017

Kick off your summer RVing with the Winstock 2017 Country Music Festival.

Taking place June 9th and 10th in Winsted, Minnesota, 2017’s lineup features star headliners and plenty of other country music performers. Keith Urban and Lynyrd Skynyrd will be there, along with Little Big Town and Brantley Gilbert. Other acts include Locash, Drake White & the Big Fire, Tucker Beathard, Lindsay Ell, Runaway June, Brooke Eden, and Ryan Hurd. Local acts include Chris Hawkey, Dylan Jakobsen, Shane Martin, and Copperhead Creek.

Festival goers can also enjoy food vendors, beverage stalls, and authentic merchandise for both the festival and the musicians and bands in attendance.

General admission tickets are still available at the gate, but reserved seating and VIP tickets are sold out. General admission costs $140 for both days. If you’re coming in a camper, you can stay on the grounds all weekend for $120. Additional vehicles cost $25.

Visit PleasureLand RV Center

Stop by PleasureLand RV Center this summer to make sure that your rig is ready to roll. If it’s time to upgrade your ride or even if you’re ready to purchase your very first RV, PleasureLand RV Center would love to help. Stop by and tour a motorhome or travel trailer and to learn more about the various models and layouts.

The Top 5 Campfire Games

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Huddling around a campfire with your friends and family is always fun, but campfire games make it even more enjoyable. These five campfire games are fun for all ages, and they don’t require any accessories, so you can play them whether you’re tent camping or at the RV park with your motorhome.

1. Name That Tune

This game is simple, and it’s even more fun if you have a musician in your group of campers. Have your musician begin playing a song or play the beginning of a song on your phone or MP3 player. The first person to guess the name of the tune wins a point, and the person with the highest number of points at the end of the game wins.

2. Telephone

Telephone is a game that always ends in a lot of laughs. Start with one person in your group and have them think of a phrase. The phrase is then whispered from one person to another around the campfire. The last person will then recite the final phrase. Hint: It is often much different than the original.

3. The No Game

The No Game is played by forbidding everyone at your campfire to say the word “no.” Campers can ask each other questions and make comments to get each other to say the word. Each person who says “no” is eliminated, and the last person standing wins.

4. Charades

Charades is a campfire game guaranteed to make you laugh. Have one person come up with a topic and attempt to act it out. The first person to guess correctly wins.

5. Pass the Ghost Story

It’s not a campfire without a ghost story. Have one player start the ghost story with one sentence then let every person in the circle add a sentence. Make it around your circle at least twice before finishing the story.

Visit PleasureLand RV Center

Before you hit the road this camping season, don’t forget to stop in and see us at your one-stop RV shop — PleasureLand RV Center in Minnesota.