April 15th, 2014 -
One of the greatest parts of RV travel is that you don’t have to leave your furry friends behind when you hit the road. And while some of your best family memories will be with your pets by your side, there are a few simple steps you’ll want to take before you load your cats or dogs into your RV and hit the road.
Take Your Pet for a Test Drive
It’s important to make sure your pet is comfortable with road travel before you bring him or her along for a longer ride. Start by taking your pet on short rides to see how he or she fares on the road. Does your pet seem uncomfortable, anxious or even sick when he’s in your vehicle? If you answered, “Yes,” after a few trial rides with your pet, he may be more comfortable with a pet-sitter while you’re away.
Consult Your Veterinarian
Before you hit the road for your big adventure, take your pet to his veterinarian to ensure he’s in good health for the ride. You’ll also need to make sure your pet’s rabies vaccinations are up-to-date, and your vet can tell you if any other vaccinations will be necessary for the areas you’ll be traveling. If you’ll be crossing borders, your vet can help you understand quarantine laws and compile all of the paperwork your pet will need.
Bring Some Pieces of Home
Even if your pet seems excited to be in your RV at first, he may feel a little out of place when you start traveling to new destinations. Be sure you bring your pet’s bed, a few favorite toys, a collar, leash, food and water for your journey. Your pet will adjust to his new home more comfortably and quickly with a few familiar items from his old one.
Upgrade Your RV at PleasureLand
Need a little larger RV now that you’ll be bringing your furry friends along for the ride? Come browse our huge selection of new and used RVs at PleasureLand RV Center — your go-to RV dealership in Minnesota — and our certified staff will help you find the perfect motorhome, travel trailer, fifth wheel or pop-up for your entire family.
—
Image by Curtis Perry via Flickr Creative Commons
April 9th, 2014 -
After a difficult winter in Minnesota, nothing feels better than seeing the sun and watching the snow melt. Now that spring is really starting to show, it’s time to enjoy some of the exciting indoor and outdoor events and activities happening throughout our beautiful state to welcome the warmer weather.
The Minnesota Zoo
It’s finally time to enjoy those day trips back to the Minnesota Zoo, and since April is “Farm Babies Month,” there’s no better time than now to go. Your whole family will love seeing the adorable baby farm animals, and it’s a great way to celebrate and learn about the birth of animals and plants that often remain dormant in the winter months.
Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival
Not quite warm enough to spend your days outside? From April 3 to 19, the Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival will be taking place at the St. Anthony Main Theatre.
Crafting the North Shore Beer Scene
There’s no better way to celebrate spring than enjoying a few craft beers for a good cause. The “Crafting the North Shore Beer Scene” event held by the North Shore Craft Beer Roundtable takes place on April 13, and features brewers from across Minnesota’s North Shore. Taste some of our state’s best craft beers and learn more about the trade — all while benefiting a variety of Duluth charities.
Bluff Country Studio Art Tour
Admire the work that local artists spent the winter creating at the Bluff Country Studio Art Tour from April 25 to 27 in Lanesboro. Browse through incredible wood carvings, hand-made pottery, jewelry and tons more, and bring your wallet, because you’ll probably want to take some home.
PleasureLand RV Center
Will April be the first month you fire up your RV for the season? Don’t forget to cruise down to PleasureLand RV Center for all of your spring RV needs, from help de-winterizing your vehicle to adding those upgrades you wanted at the end of last season. And if you’re in the market for a new or used RV this season, make us your go-to RV dealership in Minnesota, and we’ll help you get into the fifth wheel, travel trailer or motorhome of your dreams.
—
Photo by jpellgen (Flickr Creative Commons)
April 4th, 2014 -
If you are in the market for an RV, but prefer something smaller – and something that you don’t have to tow, consider a truck camper. We have several floor plans at Pleasureland RV Center. This camper rides in the bed of your truck, leaving the tow spot open for a motorcycle trailer or an enclosed trailer. The Palomino Back Pack features two slides so you have more room than you would in the older style truck campers.
This particular model sleeps four, but with the optional overhead bunk that fits over the dinette, it can sleep up to six people. The queen bunk is over the cab and is separated by a privacy curtain. The main bedroom also features a closet, two chests, two nightstands and a place for a television.
The main body of the camper features a fully galley, a dinette and a full bathroom. The galley features a 60/40 double sink, microwave, three-burner stove, oven and refrigerator. It also features an overhead cabinet and a pantry. The 40-inch by 69-inch dinette folds down into a bed and is spacious enough to seat four and sleep two smaller people.
The kitchen and dinette slide out so that you have more room in which to move while you are cooking inside. The bathroom features a PVC toilet, sink and shower. The shower is hooked into the sink. A shower curtain separates the sink area from the shower area. The vanity features a sealed door to keep things dry.
The rear of the camper features a wide bumper step for easy access. Another step in the interior gets you into the main part of the camper, while another step lifts you into the main bedroom. The camper also features stabilizer jacks so that it helps keep the camper from bouncing around on the truck while you are parked.
Stop by Pleasureland RV Center to tour the Palomino Back Pack or any of the other truck camper models on the lot. Ask your sales person about financing, specials and additional options that may be available.
April 3rd, 2014 -
While you’re out on the road this Spring, you’ll want some fun, easy treats to make. These don’t take up a lot of space in your refrigerator – and they will disappear fast! The ingredients don’t take up a lot of space in your pantry, either.
Orange Dreamsicle Dessert
- 1 box orange jello
- 1 cup hot water
- ½ cup cold water
- 1 3.4-ounce box vanilla pudding
- 1 8-ounce tub of whipped topping
- 2 cans mandarin oranges, drained
Dissolve the jello in one cup of hot water. Add ½ cup cold water. Set it in the refrigerator for 20 minutes. Don’t let it cool for more than 20 minutes or you won’t be able to add the other ingredients.
Add the vanilla pudding and mix it well. Fold in the whipped topping, and then fold in the mandarin oranges. Refrigerate for two hours.
You can use different combinations of fruit and jello flavors for variety. Raspberry jello with the mandarin oranges is great!
Fruit Tarts/Mini Pies
If your Pleasureland RV has an oven or a microwave/convection oven combination, you can easily make mini pies or fruit tarts.
- 2 cans of your favorite brand of pop and bake croissants
- 1 can of fruit filling – or you can make your own
- 1 egg, whipped (or water)
- Sugar
Line a baking sheet with parchment or wax paper. This is optional – it just makes cleanup easier. Separate the croissants. Arrange half (1 can) on a baking sheet. Spoon the fruit filling into the center of each triangle. Arrange the other half over the top of each fruit-filled bottom. Crimp the edges. Brush them with the whipped egg or water. Sprinkle sugar over the top. Bake the tarts/pies according to the instructions on the croissant cans or until browned.
To make your own fresh pie filling, cook 3 parts fruit, one part water and one part sugar together. Constantly stir over medium heat until the mixture boils. Let it boil for about a minute, and then set it aside to cool. If it’s not sweet enough when you taste it before it boils, you can add more sugar. If you want it thicker, reheat the mixture on medium low, and then add a mixture of one part cornstarch and one part water. Usually about two tablespoons of cornstarch is enough.
Stop by Pleasureland RV on your way out to make sure you have everything you need for your trip, including accessories for the kitchen and chemicals for the holding tanks so you don’t have to look for those things while you are on the road.
March 28th, 2014 -
.jpg)
March 30 is National Take a Walk in the Park Day, and while it may still be a little too cold for a stroll here in Minnesota, these warm national parks are perfect for your family’s much-needed RV getaway.
Big Bend National Park, Texas
Take your family on the adventure of a lifetime at Big Bend National Park in West Texas. Experience the feeling of the Wild West with comical cactus plants and the rustic beauty of the desert canyons. Best of all, you can park your RV right on-site and spend your days exploring the countless trails and swimming holes.
Kartchner Caverns State Park, Arizona
Experience a walk in the park unlike anywhere else at the Kartchner Caverns State Park in Southeastern Arizona. Enjoy a guided tour through the .5-mile hike through the winding underground caverns and discover the wonders of cave life. With a variety of tours available, including a Saturday helmet and headlamp tour, it’s worth staying a few days.
Bottomless Lake State Park, New Mexico
Bottomless Lake State Park in Roswell is known for its gorgeously sunny atmosphere — something just about everyone in Minnesota is seeking right now. If you’re really up for an adventure, scuba diving is offered, but hiking, boating and fishing are also available for more low-key travelers. The drive-in camping sites rent for as little as $10 per night, so book your reservation today.
Zion National Park, Utah
Zion National Park is known for its hot climate, which makes it a top spring destination for hikers escaping the brutal cold. Take a walk on your own or head out on a guided hike to spot creatures from beavers to mule deer, mountain lion and coyotes. Your trip to Zion this spring for National Take a Walk in the Park Day is guaranteed to be a memorable one.
Before You Hit the Road
Before you hit the road to your warm walk-in-the-park destination, bring your RV by PleasureLand RV Center to ensure your motorhome or travel trailer is in top shape for the journey. Make us your go-to Minnesota RV dealer, and we’ll be here to handle all of your RV lifestyle needs.
March 26th, 2014 -
If you haven’t considered a park model home in a while, it’s time you look again. Skyline Shore Park homes are more comfortable, spacious and luxurious than ever, so you can transform your favorite vacation spot into your dream home away from home. We’ve got two separate models of the 2014 Skyline Shore Park here on our lot at PleasureLand RV Center, so come take a tour of each one today.
The 2014 Shore Park 1964CTP
From the architectural shingles to the cozy electric fireplace and pillow-top mattresses, the Shore Park 1964CTP feels like a standard home inside and out. With a spacious private bedroom, massive windows in the living space, high ceilings and a comfortable loft area for kids or guests, your whole family will love this little piece of paradise wherever you decide to plant it.
The 2014 Shore Park 1955CTP
Once you see the brand new Shore Park 1955CTP, you’re guaranteed to fall in love with its cozy, residential feel. The loft area features a gorgeous wooden balcony, so you’re never too far away from your guests, and the large private bedroom offers seclusion when you need it. You’ll love the massive windows in the living space and the huge L-shaped couch that’s perfect for movie nights or entertaining fellow travelers.
Why Get a Park Model?
A number of RV resorts throughout the country lease spaces to park model owners on a yearly basis, so rather than towing your entire RV to your vacation destination each year, just drive or fly into town and stay in the comfort of your very own home. And with at least 48 states offering sites for park model trailers, you can choose your vacation destination just about anywhere.
Come Tour One at PleasureLand RV Center
Interested in seeing what the park model lifestyle is all about? Come tour our selection of park model trailers right here at PleasureLand RV Center — your Minnesota RV dealer — and see the luxury and freedom that park models offer.
March 25th, 2014 -
_(wascDA0128).jpg)
The weather is warming up, the days are getting longer and it’s time to fire up your RV for that first trip of the season. Before you start packing your bags and backing out of the driveway, there are a few simple steps you’ll want to take to get your RV ready for the season.
Look It Over Inside and Out
If you’re like many other RV travelers, you pull your RV into storage for the winter and don’t check on it until spring. Check all of the doors, windows, vents and seams to ensure you didn’t acquire any cracks or leaks in the off-season.
Check all of your lights, awnings, turn signals and appliances to make sure everything is in proper working order and ready for another adventure. And don’t forget to check all of the compartments and cupboard on the interior and exterior of your RV — these are common spaces for critters to hide in the colder months.
Give It a Good Wash
RVs are much more difficult to wash than our everyday vehicles, so they don’t tend to get cleaned as often. It’s important to buy the proper RV cleaning supplies, like an extendable brush, soft washing mitts and a nice car-cleaning solution to make the job much easier.
After washing the outside, clean up the interior by removing any unnecessary supplies or trash from last year, and don’t forget to replace the batteries in your smoke detector as well as your carbon-monoxide detector.
Spice Up the Interior
Is the interior of your RV starting to feel a little monotonous? Bring some new colors into your RV this year by replacing simple items like throw pillows, blankets, rugs and bedroom sets with new, updated designs. You’ll be amazed at how fresh a few new decorative items can make your RV feel.
Bring It By PleasureLand
Let the certified RV technicians at PleasureLand RV Center ensure your motorhome, fifth wheel or travel trailer is in top condition for the roads this spring. And if you’re in the market for a new or used RV this season, come browse our incredible selection and make us your go-to Minnesota RV dealer.
—
Photo by Gary Halvorson (Wikimedia Commons)
March 24th, 2014 -
When you’re looking for a toy hauler that offers luxuries other companies haven’t even thought of yet, you need the 2014 Grand Design Momentum. Travelers no longer have to sacrifice high-end features when bringing their toys along on their adventures, and this innovative RV proves it.
2014 Grand Design Momentum Floorplans
Two different floorplan options are available for the 2014 Momentum, with the 385TH offering a few more feet of length than the 355TH. At 42-feet 9-inches long, the 385TH offers an additional half bath in the rear of the toy hauler that the 355TH is lacking.
Both floorplans feature a large bedroom in the front of the toy hauler with a slide-out providing extra walking space. There’s a full walk-in closet, dresser, HDTV, and the queen bed can be swapped for a king if needed.
A huge, full bathroom separates the private bedroom from the kitchen and living space, which features a large sofa sleeper, entertainment center and tons of cooking space.
Most importantly, the rear of the fifth wheel features and 8-foot-long garage space with an optional split bench seat or bed lift and table.
Unprecedented Feature
s
The 2014 Grand Design Momentum shocks buyers with features they’ve probably never even seen before. From the full walk-in closet to the home theater system, solid surface countertops, Everpedic mattresses and Beauflor flooring, Grand Design didn’t miss a high-end feature from floor to ceiling in this toy hauler.
The garage is equipped with an optional air conditioner, rear cargo loading lights, a rear awning, 32-inch LED TV and a rear screen wall enclosure that turns your cargo space into a fully screened-in porch for relaxing and watching the sun go down after a long day on the roads or trails.
Get Your Toy Hauler at PleasureLand
Come to PleasureLand RV Center to browse our huge inventory of new and used toy haulers from luxury RVs for long excursions to more affordable outfits for weekend getaways. Make us your go-to Minnesota RV dealer, and we’ll handle all of your RV lifestyle needs from sales and service to camping supplies, parts and so much more.
March 19th, 2014 -
There’s no better cure for the record-breaking cold in Minnesota this year, than a few new camping supplies to get you excited about your spring road trips. Come by PleasureLand RV Center or browse our online parts store, and warm yourself up with these awesome new accessories for your RV.
Open Air Zero Gravity Wide Recliner by Camco
Ditch those old, rusty camp chairs and relax in comfort with the Open Air Zero Gravity Wide Recliner. You’ll love the worry-free PVC coated polyester, powder coated steel frame and the UV-protected fabric that make this comfortable recliner one of the most durable in the industry.
Roaster by Camco
With 34-inches of extension, you don’t have to worry about the kids roasting their own s’mores anymore. For just about $10 a piece, you can buy one for everyone in your family and eliminate those unnecessary fights over the hot dog roaster.
Top Toss by Fundex Games
Outdoor Games are some of the most fun you’ll have at the campsite, and the Top Toss game by Fundex is exciting for players of all ages. Toss the bolo balls and try to wrap them around the different rungs of the steel Top Toss Tower to earn points, and the player with the most points wins.
Awning/Leisure Mat by Camco
Turn the space under your awning into an outdoor living room with the Awning/Leisure Mat by Camco. The 7-foot by 15-foot mat helps keep the interior of your RV clean and doubles as the perfect beach or picnic mat as well.
Rock Out Speakers by Goal Zero
Keep your music by your side at all times whether you’re out hiking the trails or enjoying a few cocktails by the campfire when you’re done. This rechargeable laptop and MP3 speaker delivers high-quality sound at all times and is conveniently weather resistant.
Find All of These Products at PleasureLand
Check out all of these awesome camping supplies and a wide variety of others at PleasureLand RV Center in Minnesota. And if you can’t make it in to our shop, browse our extensive parts and accessories catalog online at PleasureLandRV.com.
—
Photo by cobalt123 (Flickr Creative Commons)
March 17th, 2014 -
St. Patrick’s Day is as much about the food as it is about the Guinness, and whether you’re spending the holiday on the road or cooking for friends and family at home, these simple Irish dishes are guaranteed to be a hit.
Irish Soda Bread
This amazingly easy bread recipe can be thrown together with items you probably already have in the pantry.
What You’ll Need:
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 4 tablespoons white sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/4 cup buttermilk
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup margarine (softened)
- 1/4 cup butter (melted)
Cooking Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and lightly grease a baking sheet.
- Mix sugar, baking soda, flour, salt, margarine and baking powder together in a large mixing bowl.
- Stir in the egg and 1 cup of buttermilk
- On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough into a round.
- Mix the melted butter and 1/4 cup buttermilk together in a separate bowl.
- Move the round to the baking sheet and brush it lightly with the buttermilk mixture.
- Cut an “X” in the top of the loaf with a sharp knife.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes, then brush the round again with the buttermilk mixture and let cool.
Irish Champ
What You’ll Need:
- 4 pounds potatoes (peeled and cubed)
- 1/2 pound green onion (chopped)
- 4 ounces butter
- 1 cup milk
- 2 teaspoons salt
- Pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions:
- Boil potatoes until soft (roughly 10 minutes).
- On low heat, cook the green onions in milk for about five minutes.
- Drain and mash the potatoes.
- Stir the milk and green onion mixture into the potatoes, then stir in salt, pepper and 2 ounces of butter.
- Separte into servings, and dot each serving with the remaining butter.
Here at PleasureLand RV Center, we hope you’re out enjoying St. Patrick’s Day in your RV this year. And if you’re still not in the RV of your dreams, come see us — your local Minnesota RV dealer — to browse our huge selection of new and used fifth wheels, travel trailers, motorhomes and more.
—
Photo by Robb and Jessie Stankey (Flickr Creative Commons)
Recipes courtesy of allrecipes.com.
|
|
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.
|
_(wascDA0128).jpg){kind=link}