May 2005

True Blue Featured Trips

Retrace the last leg of Lewis and Clark’s Corps of Discovery expedition to the Pacific Ocean on the Alumni Association's "Three Great Rivers Along the Lewis and Clark Discovery Route" trip. You will cruise in luxury on the Empress of the North through the scenic grandeur of Oregon and Washington on the legendary Willamette, Columbia and Snake rivers. An onboard historian and local experts will shed insight on your travels. For details, including dates and prices, on this trip and the rest of our itineraries, visit True Blue Travel online.

Hints and Tips

Summer vacation means lazy days, lemonade, and of course, road trips. There’s nothing your kids will love more than a trip to a theme or adventure park for some thrill-packed fun. Make the most of your adventure by following Tripso.com's 12 theme park strategies. Tips include:

• Plan ahead by purchasing a guidebook, reading reviews and setting priorities for which rides and attractions you must see.
• Arrive early—a mere 15 minutes in line at the park entrance before it opens can mean more time for fun inside!
• Check out the farthest attractions first and work your way back out. You’ll bypass distracting shops and have more time on the rides.

Travel Blue Travel News

When planning your own independent vacation, take advantage of the Orbitz search engine housed directly on the Alumni Association's Web site. By using our link, you can be assured of finding a good deal using the Orbitz search engine and of helping the Alumni Association at the same time. Orbitz will give a small percentage of each package sold through our Web site to the Alumni Association. This partnership helps us partially fund other programs and services for our alumni and members. This service is open to all alumni and friends of U-M, so visit our Web site today.

Products and Gadgets

When you’re hitting the road this summer, be sure to pack some snacks and drinks—and keep them cold with the Brookstone Portable Auto Fridge. It plugs into a 12-volt adaptor and keeps its contents cold and fresh. The Auto Fridge holds up to eight 12-ounce cans and stores bottles up to eight inches high. There’s also a roll top for easy access, and an adjustable carrying strap makes it easy to take to the picnic table or beach.

Armchair Traveler

If thrill rides are your thing, check out "The Amusement Park Guide" by self-described "amusement park connoisseur" Tim O'Brien. This handy book is packed with information on amusement parks all over the United States and Canada. It details the best rides around and offers inside scoops on special events and in-park entertainment. This book is required reading for every thrill-seeker searching for fun and amusement this summer.

True Blue Traveler Comments

"This was our eighth trip—all excellent. The highs of this trip were the equestrian school and Gibraltar." —Sara and Michael Morrison, '78, True Blue travelers on the 2004 Alumni College Abroad in Andalucia trip

Don’t miss the opportunity to join your fellow alums on this year’s Alumni College Abroad in Andalucia. You’ll stay in an authentic parador on the edge of Ronda’s Ej Tajo gorge that offers four-star accommodations and traditional Rondan cuisine. Some of the highlights of this tour are a sherry tasting and equestrian demonstration in Jer'ez de la Frontera; an exciting journey to Granada to see the majestic Alhambra, a Moorish palace; and a visit to Seville made famous by Carmen, Don Giovani and Barber of Seville operas. For details, including dates and prices, on this trip and others, visit our Web site.