Sand Creek Adventures

RV Service Minneapolis MinnesotaPhoto from SandCreekAdventures.com

We are pleased to finally be into full throttle mode at Pleasureland RV Center. We are the RV dealership Minnesota looks to for everything RV related. Today, we are going to tell you about a pulse pounding adventure that can bond your family or group. Today we are going to take a closer look at Sand Creek Adventures.

Sand Creek Adventures bills themselves as “The Twin Cities ultimate low ropes, high ropes and zip tour challenge course” and that is one long way to say fun! What is nice about Sand Creek Adventures is you can choose your own level of intensity. You should be in moderately healthy condition, be at least 8 years of age, and must weigh less than 275 pounds to participate in the activities at Sand Creek Adventures.

So what should you expect on your trip to Sand Creek? First, you should dress like you would if you were going to go for a walk in the woods. Comfortable clothes and closed toe shoes are best. You may also wish to pack some insect repellant, sunscreen and some snacks and bottled water. Alcohol is prohibited at Sand Creek Adventures, and you can understand why.

Once there, you will be fitted with a waist harness and helmet. A certified instructor will give you a short safety talk and answer your questions. Then it will be time for your day of adrenaline rushing fun.

The Low Ropes Connection is great for learning how to work as a team as you complete maneuvers that require each member to work in unison.

The High Ropes Challenge Course will test your determination and confidence. It starts with a cargo net entrance and ends with a zipline exit and in-between it is filled with a variety of maneuvers that will challenge you.

The Sand Creek Zipline Adventure is a real crowd pleaser. The zip travels over 1700 feet in total length, traversing Sand Creek bluffs, and reaching 100 feet above the water. It offers an exhilarating, breathtaking adventure that you and your family won’t soon forget.

If you believe part of the fun of having a recreational vehicle is seeing and doing new things, consider a trip to Sand Creek Adventures. You should be aware that all of their adventures are by appointment only, so call ahead. Their number is (952) 492-5333.

Pleasureland RV Center is a family owned RV dealership that Minneapolis has come to depend on for everything involving the RV lifestyle. You’ll find our selection and service superior, and you’ll find our people a pleasure to deal with. We look forward to seeing you!

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Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and there are all kinds of ways to make your mother feel special, and let her know you love her. A phone call or a card and some flowers is a simple way, but why not try something else like a trip in your RV together, or stopping by for your visit. Mom did everything for you when you were growing up, and means the world to you now, so why not plan a vacation for her that would show her just how much you love her.

If your mom lives close by, you might want to try taking a trip together for the day. There are plenty of lakes, rivers, and parks available now that Minnesota is starting to warm up and the two of you could visit them together. And who knows, with all the amenities that your RV has, you might even want to make a week or a weekend of it. It’s probably been a while since your mom had a vacation, and she deserves a few days away from all the hustle and bustle of home.

You can visit any of the hundreds of RV parks, National Parks or State Parks that Minnesota and the neighboring states have to offer. Or, why not take a trip into Canada, which is only a hop, skip and jump away, and add a little international flavor to your trip.

Or why not bring the party to her. Surprise mom with a visit. The best part about traveling in your RV is that she won’t have to worry about putting you up for the night. Whether it’s a few hours drive, or it takes you a few days, you know that you and your family will be comfortable in your RV from Pleasureland RV center. With a full kitchen, bathroom, and beds, your trip will be comfortable and smooth sailing. There’s always plenty of room for everyone in the family.

No matter whether you decided to visit your mother or take her on a vacation she’ll never forget, the most important thing is time to create a memorable and fun Mother’s Day with the whole family. At Pleasureland RV Center we would be proud to help you find the right, used or new RV. We also offer RV rentals to anyone who wants to take a trip in an RV.

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RVing with Pets and Children

Having kids doesn’t mean that you have to give up the RV lifestyle, and being an RVer doesn’t mean that you can’t adopt that dog that you’ve been longing for. There are some considerations to keep in mind when you have kids and dogs on the road, but by and large, pets and children can love the open road as deeply as you do.

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Caring for Children on the Road

Children do tend to thrive on stability, having the same friends for more than a few days at a time, so you don’t find a lot of full-time RVers on the road, but it’s hard to find a child who doesn’t enjoy heading to a new campground every month, spending every summer exploring lakes, rivers and roadside attractions.

Scheduling a few big trips a year with a few weekends out here and there is generally going to be your best bet at providing both stability and adventure in your child’s life. Summer, Winter and Spring break are all a great opportunity to spend a week in the mountains or traversing Old Route 66.

Caring for Pets on the Road

It might not be a bad idea to look for a smaller pet. Even if you have a large RV, it’s tough on a big dog to always be cooped up inside of the vehicle. As much as they’ll love exploring hiking trails with you, the time spent in between stops can be very stressful for a larger animal.

If your pet has special dietary concerns, then make sure to stock up before you take off for a trip. Don’t assume that every small town in the country has what you need to feed your four legged friend.

The open road calls to us all at some point or other, whether you’re an adult, a child, a dog or a cat. The freedom and thrill of waking up in a new town every morning, of exploring your home country has universal appeal. As long as your pet or child has all of their needs taken care of, then there’s no reason not to take them out on the road with you.

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Dealing With Motion Sickness On Your RV Travels

For many people, the constant threat of motion sickness keeps them from enjoying long road trips. This can be particularly troublesome when traveling and living in a new or used Minnesota motorhome. However, if you are a sufferer of motions sickness, there are certain steps you can take to prevent motion sickness and alleviate some of the symptoms.

Try Facing Forward

For many people, the simple act of facing forward and keeping their eyes fixed on a spot in the road in front of them is enough to keep them from getting motion sickness. Motion sickness is usually because of an imbalance between what the brain is processing and what the ears are feeling, which is initially experienced by a feeling of dizziness.

Sometimes just looking up for a few minutes rather than trying to read a book or look at a screen will help. Many people find that not reading for few minutes while riding in a car or a motorhome.

Dancers have the same problem when they are doing turns. In order to keep from getting dizzy and falling over, they learn how to spot, which essentially means keeping their eyes and head focused on a spot ahead of where they are turning to. You can practice this in your RV by sitting down and facing forward, and focusing on a tree, sign, building or other object almost directly ahead of you.

Patches and Medication

If neither of these things work for you, you may want to try wearing a motion sickness patch or taking some kind of motion sickness medication before getting on the road. In severe cases this is really the only thing that works for people. There are many different types on the market, and they all work differently. If you want to try something natural, ginger has been known to reduce the nausea associated with motion sickness. It can be brewed as a tea or you could eat the crystallized, candied version.

Try a few out and see what works. You could also talk to your doctor and see what he or she recommends. Our knowledge of medicine and motion sickness is constantly evolving as science makes advances, and he or she may have some great ideas and solutions for your motions sickness.

No matter what you end up trying, and what ends up working remember that taking a RV on the road is a fun, exciting adventure and that the friendly and knowledgeable people at Pleasureland RV in Minnesota can help you with all your RVing needs.

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Camping Essentials for the RVer

When you take your RV out into the great outdoors in order to get a little closer to nature, it’s easy to take for granted that you’re really out there in the middle of nowhere since you’ve brought your home with you. The camping essentials are still just as necessary when you’re out in your RV as when you’re out in a tent. Here’s what you absolutely need to bring with you if you’re going to be spending a weekend in the woods:

A Flashlight and Plenty of Batteries

It’s a simple matter of safety that you’re going to want to bring a light and enough batteries to last you. You never know what will happen.

Plenty of Clean Water

Even if your campsite has a water source, it’s a good idea to bring several gallons of your own. If the water source at the campsite gets contaminated somehow, then you need to have a fallback plan.

Dry Towels

Dry towels really are endlessly useless when camping. From using them for bedding to drying off to laying out a picnic lunch on them, towels are endlessly versatile little lifesavers.

A First Aid Kit

This goes without saying, but it’s important enough to say it anyways: you need to bring a first aid kit and make sure that it’s well stocked before you head out. The kit needs to contain bandages and disinfectant as well as pain pills, smelling salts and medical tape. Be prepared.

Canned Food

Chances are you’ve brought a lot of hot dogs and marshmallows with you, but if you find yourself with a flat tire or needing to wait an extra day in the woods for any reason, you’ll need to eat, so bring canned food just in case you get stuck.

When camping, one’s motto should be Safety First. Camping is supposed to be fun, but it’s hard to enjoy yourself if you’re not prepared, so just make sure that you have all the supplies you need in your recreational vehicle.

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Getting Your Kicks on Route 66

Route 66 isn’t what it used to be. In the heyday of the American highway, it was a tradition to take your family along the famous Route 66, stopping for burgers, taking in a movie, staying in a low cost motel, taking photos at the famous landmarks. In fact, the iconic road trip as seen in a lot of American films still uses Route 66 iconography as the travelers pass by picturesque desert landscapes in the Southwest and send those postcards with the big “Welcome, from Albuquerque!” text.

Although Route 66 isn’t as lively as it once was, it’s still worth traveling for the lifelong Minnesota RVer who wants to take in an important part of American road culture, and while you’re making the journey, you’ll want to make a stop in Gallup, New Mexico.

Gallup was one of the thriving capitals of the Route 66 empire, and a drive through the city shows you a wide variety of beautiful sites. The facades of old movie theaters and restaurants and cafes all have a certain ghost-town charm to them, a bittersweet nostalgic feel, as if you can sense the presence of thousands of fellow travelers who’ve been here before.

Gallup is also the home of the world’s most popular Wal-Mart, as it serves as a shopping center for people from more than a hundred miles away in towns like Bluewater and Thoreau where it’s hard to find a big grocery store. This is useful for any RVer who needs to restock on the essentials or take a day to relax in the parking lot.

Gallup also puts you a stone’s throw away from Albuquerque and Santa Fe if you want to enjoy the whole New Mexico experience, and the state is full of great RV parks and camping sites. The real joy of New Mexico, however, is simply driving through the tremendous landscapes. A few hours on the road in N.M. and you’ll feel what it truly means to be an American nomad.

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A Man’s Best Friend and His Motorhome

In 1903, Horatio Nelson Jackson and his driving partner, Sewall Crocker, completed the first transcontinental drive in an automobile from San Francisco to New York City. This was no mean feat. They drove over roads that weren’t “roads” in any modern sense of the word. With few available maps, it took 63 days, 12 hours and 30 minutes to complete. But Nelson and Crocker also had a very special driving companion. His name was Bud.  A sprightly Staffordshire Terrier clad in handsome road goggles, Bud was their tireless compatriot and friend, making the long, grueling journey even more memorable.

Since that historic road trip, our dogs have crisscrossed America with us. Would we have it any other way? Nope! So let’s blaze some RV trails this spring, and take along our best four-legged friends (the family and two-legged friends can come too). There are some great, pet-friendly RV camping spots and hiking trails waiting to be discovered.

Minnesota’s state parks offer miles and miles of hiking trails, from gentle to challenging to everything in between, so do your research to choose the right paths for you and your dogs. Be sure to read through the state park guidelines on where pets can go and how to manage them. Tip: Start with Jay Cooke State Park or Grand Portage State Park in the North Shore region for the diversity in activities for family and pets.

And, for both you and your pets, don’t forget to pack plenty of water and sunscreen (yes, pets can get sunburned too, and many vets recommend a zinc oxide). Be sure to choose a sunscreen that’s safe for your pets.

Finally, you’ll want a few snacks for whatever hiking, swimming, or camping experience you’re planning. There are pet bakeries throughout Minnesota, like Sunny’s Canine Creations in Saint Paul, and you can find all kinds of goodies when you’re in the neighborhood.  Make some great Minnesota RV travel memories with your best friend this spring!

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A Chocolate Themed Motorhome Trip

With the popularity of road trip food shows such as Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives, it makes perfect sense to plan your next Minnesota motorhome road trip around your tastebuds.

Minnesota has some very special chocolate “destinations” on the map. Trek across the state in your RV and discover Mademoiselle Miel, which creates one-of-a-kind artisan chocolates available throughout the Twin Cities. Or, visit Chocolates Plus in Bemidji, which specializes in new and old favorites. Take a spin on the Internet and find tons of delicious options. It’s time to indulge those chocolate cravings!

Don’t forget those roadside attractions. It’s a safe bet that you can find homemade fudge and other wonderful local creations at even the simplest local market or gift shop. Don’t forget that those sweet, local fruits on the roadside always pair well with chocolate.

Once you’re happily ensconced at your campsite, think s’mores. They’re everyone’s favorite and for good reason. Let each family member choose a special extra ingredient, like caramel or peanut butter, to add your own family spin. You can even liven up the occasion with a family storytelling contest or sing-a-long for who gets the honor of the last s’more. You’ll either be in stitches, or sitting in awe of your various talents!

In case you decide to add a chocolate destination to your next cross-country RV adventure trip, don’t miss Ethel M in Henderson, Nevada, Ghirardelli in San Francisco, California or Hershey’s Chocolate World in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Chocolate can give a new twist to seeing America.  Have a sweet trip!

 

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Spending Easter In Your RV

One of the fun parts of the RV lifestyle is being able to spend your holidays on the road, but still enjoying the comforts of home.  You can always just pick up a corned beef sandwich and some beer for a smaller holiday, like St. Patrick’s day, but conducting an Easter Egg Hunt or roasting a whole ham in your RV can be tricky. Here are some ideas to make Easter work even when you’re on the road:

1. Bunnyspotting

A fun way to spend the afternoon, if you have rabbits, hares or bunnies in the area where you’re camping or driving, is to count how many of the long-eared fellows you can spot. You can whip out the digital camera and snap some shots or just have a contest to see who can count the most.

2. Plastic Egg Hunt

The problem with having an egg hunt in your RV is that if you forget one, you wind up with an egg rotting somewhere in your home and having no idea where it is because you hid it really well on purpose. Or you might get an egg rolling around the floor and getting stepped on and mashed into the carpet. A plastic egg hunt is a good alternative. You can get plastic eggs and hide candy and toys in them in your RV and around your campsite.

3. Spring Beer

For the adults, what’s the best part about Spring? Obviously the seasonal beer (well, if you are a beer drinker, that is). There are a lot of great beers and wines that you can only get in the Spring, as well as beers and wines that you can only get locally. Have an afternoon sampling the local pale ales and lagers with a Spring theme while catching a few fish or just taking in the nice Spring air with a brown sugar ham sandwich.

Easter is largely thought of as a children’s holiday, but there’s fun to be had no matter your age. Take the time to enjoy yourself this Easter.

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Protecting The Appearance Of Your New RV

When you invest in a new Class A motorhome from Pleasureland RV Center, you need to take care to keep it looking great for years to come. Allowing weathering to cause your exterior to fade will only lower the value of your vehicle and make it harder to sell in the future. You don’t have to spend a lot of money on products that must be applied regularly if you request professional ResistAll protective sealants from our service team.

Exterior Sealant To Protect Your Paint Job

Start with a protective coating to keep paint from fading and flaking away. The UV rays from the sun and moisture both work to strip away layers of color. The high gloss finish that offers basic protection against the weather, but normal conditions will eventually remove that finish. The sealant protects both the underlying paint and the top coat over it. Sticky deposits like bird waste and pine sap won’t bond permanently with the walls of your RV if you add an extra layer of sealant with our service. Salt from the roads and ocean spray will just wash off the exterior as well.

Improving The Interior

The interior of the RV usually starts to show wear after a few years if you take at least a few trips throughout the summer. Fabric, leather and vinyl all become stained and dull as your family relaxes on furnishings covered in these materials.

Sealing The Fabric

When the seats or couches in your motorhome or travel trailer are covered with the ResistAll treatment, liquids won’t be able to stain the material. Even oil-based spills will clean up without leaving permanent marks. The sealant can be applied to carpet as well to make vacuuming easy when someone walks in with muddy boots. Even fading won’t be such an issue with fabric that has been properly treated.

Coating Leather And Vinyl

Vinyl already resists spills fairly well, but leather can absorb liquids just like fabric. A safe sealant helps the material shed water, cola and even ice cream. The material will also stay soft and flexible when covered in the right type of protective sealing. Both vinyl and leather can crack if exposed to sunlight without something over it to block out the UV rays.

All of the ResistAll sealing services offered at our RV service center are supported by a five year warranty. If you’re tired of wiping down your upholstery or spraying the exterior at least once a month during the camping season, consider a set of products that could save you time and preserve the condition of your RV in one step.

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