Almost 20 years ago, I created what became an award-winning cruise blog. In 2024, a scam artist conned me into selling it to him but I was never paid. Then he sold it and kept those proceeds. So I started this new site to continue my love for cruising. My newest passion is traveling around the US and Canada with my little dog Poppy, in my Travato camper van. I hope my articles and photos entertain, advise and inspire you to explore this amazing world. Visit TravelUpClose.com for all of my train articles, and ReadyGoHike.com for you outdoor enthusiasts.