I’m Phinizy, a high school science teacher, parent, and lifelong adventurer with a passion for squeezing every ounce of value, comfort, and magic from a Western road trip.

My journey started in college with spontaneous drives, last-minute campsites, and plenty of mistakes (including more than one night next to a train track in Montana!). 

Over the years, and five cross-country trips later, I’ve learned how to turn the chaos into adventure, find the best campsites, cook gourmet meals at the picnic table, and keep my family excited for the next mile.

From “winging it” with friends, to carefully-planned family journeys that span a month, I’ve done it all:

• 2005: Following the Appalachian Trail, camping wherever I could, not knowing about real campgrounds yet
• 2007: Drove to Seattle. No highways, no reservations, all spontaneity
• 2009: Early married trip—mix of hotels and first tries at real camping out West
• 2010-2023: Getting established in our jobs and raising kids :)
• 2024: First major family trip West: tons of lessons learned, a few fails, but huge memories
• 2025: The “best ever” trip. Top campsites, and truly living out of the car (with comfort!)

I created this guide so you can skip the rookie mistakes, get right to the good stuff, and experience the magic of the Golden Age of Road Trips without stress or regret.