November 15th, 2016 -
Cyclists who visit Minnesota will find ample opportunities for fun and challenge with Minnesota’s biking trails. Touting some truly beautiful trails of all skill levels and with over 4000 miles of paved bike trails, you’re sure to find trails that aren’t quite like those anywhere else. Here are some of the best bike trails that Minnesota has to offer.
Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Trails
The first state park in Minnesota built specifically for mountain biking, it sits on the Iron Range of Central Minnesota about 20 miles northeast of Brainerd.
Offering 25 miles of mountain bike trails year round, there are trails suitable for all skill levels.
Duluth
One of four gold level ride centers in the United States, there are some publications and blogs that contend that Duluth has the best mountain biking in the world. With lift-accessible downhill trails at Spirit Mountain, Lester, and Duluth Traverse, Duluth has continuously beaten out other biking sites to be recognized as one of the country’s best.
Twin Cities
If you’re into urban biking, the Twin Cities are some of the most biker friendly cities in the country. Of course, there are also plenty of parks sprinkled throughout the metro area. With nature and skyline views along some trails, the Twin Cities offer some dynamic biking opportunities.
Visit PleasureLand RV Center
Stop by PleasureLand RV Center if you want to tour an RV you can take on your next biking trip. An RV allows you to travel in more comfort and to stay out longer. Let PleasureLand RV Center connect you to your perfect motorhome or travel trailer.
November 8th, 2016 -
Camping seems simple enough — arrive at the campsite or RV park, sprawl out and enjoy a weekend, week or even months at your new destination. However, there are certain things that make campgrounds work, and many of those things involve the behavior of those who are camping there. This simple guide to campground etiquette will help you and your fellow campers enjoy each camping experience to the fullest.
Leave Nothing Behind
The first part of enjoying the great outdoors is doing as little harm to it as possible. Always pack up your campsite, then double and triple check that you haven’t left any items or trash behind. Leave your campsite cleaner than you found it.
Be Friendly
When you’re at a campground or RV park, you know you have a common interest with everyone else there. Invite your campground neighbors over for snacks or drinks and encourage your little ones to make new campground friends. Often times, the people you meet at the campsite become lifelong friends.
Time your Awning and Outdoor Lights
It can be easy to forget to turn off your awning, porch or other outdoor lights. Set your lights on a timer, so they never use excessive power and keep your fellow campers up at night. Your outdoor lights may not seem bright to you, but the camper next door may be staring at them all night long.
Leave Extra Wood Behind
Every camper has arrived at a campground late and endured the struggle of finding firewood at night. One of the best bits of campground etiquette you can practice is leaving some of your firewood behind for the next camper. They’ll be elated to be able to start a fire upon arrival, and hopefully the favor will be returned to you by someone else.
Find Your Dream Camping Vehicle
A happy camper makes a good camper, and there’s no better way to get excited about camping than to purchase a top-quality new RV. Stop in and see us at PleasureLand RV Center to find your dream RV today.
November 3rd, 2016 -
Minnesota is one of the top states in the country for horseback riding. The diverse terrain, massive network of trails and stretches of untouched land make for some of the most scenic trail rides you can find.
The following three riding trails and ranches are some of the best in the Land of 10,000 Lakes for taking in the Minnesota sites on horseback.
Big Valley Ranch — Winona
Big Valley Ranch is a family-friendly place to hop on horseback without owning one. The ranch is nestled into the picturesque Winona bluff country, and offers 165 acres of terrain. Visitors can enjoy everything from riding lessons to long trail rides, day camps and more. The ranch is located on East Burns Valley Road in Winona, so it’s easier for vacationers to find than some other, less-accessible ranches.
Browns Creek State Trail
The 5.9-mile-long Browns Creek State Trail in Washington County opened last October and is the newest addition to Minnesota’s massive trail system. This rail-trail spans from Stillwater to Grant where it meets up with the Gateway State Trail. Riders can access the St. Croix River from an off-road trail or enjoy the smoother paved option. Both lines pass historic sites and breathtaking Minnesota scenery.
River Valley Ranch — Carver
Get on the trails every day you’re in Minnesota at the River Valley Ranch in Carver. The ranch provides stunning 1-hour-long tours of the Minnesota River Valley with group tours available as well. Even better, the ranch is just 25 minutes southwest of the bustling city of Minneapolis. This is the perfect option for novice riders; however, reservations are recommended for all tours, so call the ranch at (952) 361-3361 before your visit.
Stop and See Us at PleasureLand
Don’t forget to stop and see us at the PleasureLand RV Centers when you’re traveling throughout Minnesota. There’s no better place to find the perfect RV or simply some accessories and camping supplies for your fall adventures.
November 1st, 2016 -
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.
October 27th, 2016 -
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.
October 25th, 2016 -
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.
October 20th, 2016 -
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
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.
October 18th, 2016 -
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.
October 13th, 2016 -
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.
October 11th, 2016 -
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.
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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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