Category: ppadventures
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Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park did not disappoint. The rock formations in GNP fascinate me — thousands of years in the making, with colors and characteristics that feel almost magical. The lakes, creeks and rivers are filled with colorful rocks and stones; red, gold, gray, ivory. The park is full of mountain ranges, lakes, meadows, wildflowers, marmots…
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The GRAND TETONS! Oh My!
Just when you think you’ve seen it all… bam! The Grand Tetons rise up out of nowhere and smack you in the face with their beauty. Instant goosebumps. This life, this world, this ridiculously stunning planet we live on — it has a way of dropping you to your knees in awe and whispering, “You’re…
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Visits with Friends Close to My Heart
Tara’s Reunion in the Rockies The Colorado sun was just beginning to dip behind the peaks, painting the sky in streaks of lavender and gold. I found myself smiling, heart racing with anticipation. It had been years since I’d last seen Kathi—my friend since 6th grade, the one whose laughter echoed through my most cherished…
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August 3, 2025
Rocky Mountains Wow.Wow.Wow. The Rockies are beautiful. Exploring the Rocky Mountains was like stepping into a postcard, but with a few more huffs and puffs as we rose in altitude. The majestic peaks, the cool pine-scented air, and the winding roads made me feel like I was in a nature documentary. Hiking was all uphill,…
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Colorado
Royal Gorge Bridge & Park There are two ways access the bridge crossing, an easy walk, or an uphill hike. We hiked a few miles that day because on Pretty Penny Adventures we believe anything easy is overrated. The bridge itself is jaw‑dropping, spanning the Arkansas River with rafters looking like tiny specks far below.…
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In for a Penny, in for a Pound
Pretty Penny: Because One Breakdown is Never Enough Fresh off the Great Stair Collapse of 2025, Pretty Penny decided we’d had it too easy. So, she upped the ante and took out the hot water heater. No warning, no blinking light, just… silence. Because clearly, what we needed next was a lack of basic amenities.…
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McClellan Creek National Grassland
LAKE McCLELLAN CAMPGROUND “This campground is situated at an elevation of 3,500 feet. There are 60 camping units. Current Conditions Currently, Lake McClellan is dry.” -posted on the National Forest website Julie spent over a year masterminding the Pretty Penny Adventure—an epic quest fueled by campground spreadsheets, Google Earth flyovers, and more bookmarked park websites than…
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Pretty Penny Earning Her Reputation
Ah, Pretty Penny. She didn’t get her name because she was affordable. No, she earned that title one breakdown, repair bill, and mild emotional crisis at a time. And this week? She’s showing off. Enter: the entry steps. You know, the ones that let us gracefully enter and exit our house on wheels?…
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July 30, 2025
Hot Springs, Arkansas, is famous for its thermal springs—sacred to Native Americans and later turned into a spa paradise for sweaty tourists and shady gangsters. Designated as the first federally protected land in the early 1800s, it eventually became Hot Springs National Park. By the late 19th century, the city had it all: healing waters,…
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Hiking to the Red Roof Inn (Because Who Needs a Map Anyway?)
Yesterday, bright and early at 7:00 a.m. (because who doesn’t love uphill hikes before coffee?), Julie, Ali, and I set off from the campground on a mission: conquer the fabled “Upper Dogwood” trail. It started strong—lush trees, birds chirping, just enough incline to make us question all of our life choices. Ali, our four-legged MVP,…
Pretty Penny Adventures 