Summer travel stabilizing

The U.S. Travel Association predicts that Americans will take an average of two trips away from home between June and August. Although that reflects a 2-percent decline from summer 2008, travel is showing a resiliency in the current economic situation. U.S. Travel also predicts consumers will spend more than $900 on their longest summer trip.

A 1.5-percent increase in Americans traveling over Memorial Day was projected by AAA in May, with more than 32 million travelers taking a trip 50 miles or more away from home.

MS Blues Trail goes national

The Mississippi Blues Trail installed its first out-of-state marker in Memphis on May 8.

Titled “Mississippi to Memphis,” the marker that is in front of the Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum on Third Street near Beale acknowledges Mississippians who performed in Memphis, including B.B. King and Elvis Presley.

Elvis fans may want to visit Memphis Aug. 8–16 for the city’s annual Elvis Week events (www.elvisweek.com).

Clarksdale, Miss., will present the annual Sunflower River Blues and Gospel Festival in front of the Delta Blues Museum on Aug. 7–8. Clarksdale is about 75 miles south of Memphis.

To date, more than 70 blues markers are in Mississippi. For more information on the Mississippi Blues Trail program, click on www.msbluestrail.org.

Save more with Amtrak

Members of AAA have an opportunity to enjoy extra travel value through the flexible Amtrak Guest Rewards frequent rider program. You’ll accumulate points every time you travel with Amtrak or use the services of program partners such as Hilton HHonors Hotels, Hertz and Continental Airlines. Redeem your points for free Amtrak travel, hotel and car rental awards, airline miles, or gift certificates from national retailers and restaurants. Combine this with your usual 10 percent AAA member discount on Amtrak rail and vehicle fares, and you’ve got unbeatable travel value.

For information or an Amtrak Guest Rewards enrollment form, contact your AAA club office today.