The central coast of British Columbia presents the perfect backdrop for adventure cruises and wildlife viewing.  This Canadian coast is a land of fjords between towering mountains, lush islands, spectacular waterfalls and great river estuaries.  The largest intact area of temperate rainforest left in North American lies along this coast  known as the Great Bear Rainforest and it is home to hundreds of species of wildlife as well as a very rare species of bear.  Rich salmon streams weave through the valley bottoms and provide food for magnificent creatures such as orcas, eagles, wolves, black and grizzly bears.  This is the sole habitat of the white Kermode Bear or “Spirit” bear which is a unique species of black bear with a white coat.

This is also home to the First Nations tribes: Heiltsuk, Kitasoo Xai’xais, Haisla, Gitga’at and Henaaksiala.  Everywhere along this coast is evidence of their civilization.  Fish traps, bark-stripped trees, longhouses and totems all remain giving testimony to a way of life tuned to nature.  Visits to their modern villages, talking with tribal elders and local residents and enjoying their ancient art traditions are all culturally enriching.

For an intimate cruise experience, TMI Tours & Cruises recommends a  vacation aboard the Maple Leaf Schooner.  She sails from Sidney, B.C., Canada  along the entire length of the Great Bear Rainforest twice in Spring, once in Summer and twice in Fall.  This classic 92 foot, 5-sail schooner  was completely restored between 1980-1986 and offers all modern conveiniences while still maintaining  her old-world charm.   Sailing with a crew of 5, a guest list of 8 and a fabulous chef, this vacation will feel like you are aboard your own private yacht.   Entertainment will be provided by local scientists, naturalists and of course, the inhabitants of this precious piece of land and ocean.

Contact Linda or Rhonda at TMI Tours & Cruises for a full itinerary, brochure or dates of sailing aboard this majestic tall ship, the Maple Leaf Schooner.  1-800-975-7775 or info@tmitours.com

One of the best ways to experience the culture and history that made American great is to explore her inland waterways.  The most famous  river on the west coast of the United States is known as the Mighty Columbia, the gateway to the Pacific Ocean.  Imagine the thrill of the Lewis & Clark expedition in 1805 when they made their way down the Columbia River and established Ft. Clatsop at the edge of that ocean.  Today, small  luxury cruiseships make this same voyage roundtrip from the fascinating city of Portland, Oregon.  Weekly departures begin in May, continue through October and by planning in advance, you can save up to $1200.00 per cabin for bookings by December 11, 2009.

Small ship cruising has become increasingly popular over the past few years providing guests with a more intimate experience onboard and off.    Shore excursion visit quaint museums,  family-owned wineries, historic forts and native american villages and are included in the price of the cruise for every passenger.   Passengers are also encouraged to participate in a jet-boat trip into Hell’s Canyon on the Snake River or to explore the shoreline via kayak or zodiaks and enjoy the pristine beauty of these rivers up close.

Discounts are offered on all cruises for 2010 but bookings must be confirmed and under deposit by December 11, 2009  for you to qualify and bookings paid in full will get the highest discounts.  Call Rhonda or Linda at TMI Tours for full details and to reserve your week long journey through the Columbia River Gorge. 1-800-975-7775 or info@tmitours.com

The inland waterways of the Pacific Northwest remain pristine and untamed with  wild-west history and old-world charm.  Cruising the channels of the San Juan and Gulf Islands has belonged to ferries, private yachts and the brave few adventurers in personal watercraft.  With the addition of Cruisewest’s  small ship, the Spirit of Endeavour, anyone can enjoy these scenic waterways and quaint seaports in yacht-like comfort. The more adventurous can take to the kayaks and inflatable watercraft launched from the cruiseship to explore this untamed wilderness up close.

Seattle, Washington is a beautiful city to begin any vacation from and it is easily accessible from anywhere in the world.  Known as the Emerald City because of it’s lush green landscape, this lumber-town turned metropolis is famous for the Space Needle and Pike’s Place Market (home of the flying fish).  After a day to explore Vancouver, British Columbia, the cruise takes passengers through the British Columbia Sunshine Coast and Desolation Sound Provincial Marine Park.  Surrounded by lush evergreen forests and snowcapped peaks, this 60 miles of breathtaking coastline has enought bays, coves, nooks and crannies to delight even the most demanding of adventurers.  Returning with a stop in Nanaimo where passengers are greeted by traditionally dressed Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the afternoon will be via the remote waterways and quiet coves of the Gulf Islands. You won’t want to miss High Tea served in the Palm Room at the historic Empress Hotel located waterfront in beautiful Victoria, British Columbia. Known as the “Garden City” for it’s famous 55-acre landmark, Buchart Gardens, this quaint capitol offers delightful shopping and browsing opportunities. The last two stops take in Friday Harbor of the San Juan Islands where you can explore Puget Sound up close, and then Port Townsend known for it’s late 19th-century architecture.
With tempting discounts on 2010 cruises purchased by December 11, 2009, TMI Tours invities you to escape to the Pacific Northwest Coast. This is truly a voyage of contrasts–rich in wildlife, culture and scenery. Contact Rhonda or Linda at TMI Tours for cruise dates and availability. 1-800-975-7775 or info@tmiours.com

At TMI Tours of Coeur dAlene, we are always looking for great family vacation ideas.  A cruise on the Columbia and Snake Rivers offers all the ingredients for a great American family vacation.  To this day, there’s no better way to discover America than by its inland waterways.  More than just sightseeing, these cruises incorporate American music, culture, cuisine and local history into a total travel experience.  The small-ships that cruise the Columbia and Snake Rivers are intimate and family oriented, creating memories that will last a life time.

While most river cruises take you past urban centers and crowded shorelines, much of the Columbia and Snake Rivers remain pristine and wild.  You can clearly see evidence of the great floods that carved this region creating the breathtakingly beautiful Columbia River Gorge from the bow of a Cruisewest vessel.  Adventures beckon daily with jet boats trips up Hells Canyon to view 7,000 year-old Indian petroglyphs or tours beneath wild and wooly Pendleton, Oregon where Chinese emigrants once carried out their daily lives underground.  Visits to fascinating museums or Lewis & Clark landmarks like Fort Clatsop will bring American history alive for adults and children alike.  You’ll find the past and present coexist here, from Oregon Trail wagon ruts to the engineering marvel of the eight locks and dams that tame this mighty river.

Air travel to Portland, Oregon is easy from almost anywhere in the world and with great discounts being offered on cruise cabins that are booked before December 11th, now is the perfect time to plan a family vacation for the Spring/Summer of 2010.  Call Linda or Rhonda at TMI Tours & Cruises in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho at 1-800-975-7775 or send us an email at info@tmitours.com.  Scenery- History- Native American Culture- Adventure…you’ll find it all on a cruise of the Columbia and Snake River Region.

TMI Tours & Cruises is excited about several of the fall Columbia River cruise itineraries being offered in 2009. One of these great upcoming cruises is an exclusive wine and culinary adventure that offers you the opportunity to sample award-winning wines and cruise through history on the Columbia River, witnessing the natural beauty and tastes of the Pacific Northwest.

9 Night / 10 Day Itinerary – Lewiston, Idaho to Astoria, Oregon
October 16-25, 2009

Here are a few of the many exciting adventures that await you on this exciting cruise:

• Hells Canyon by Jet Boat. After breakfast this morning we’ll transfer to a jet boat for an invigorating ride into Hells Canyon. Vertical cliffs carved by the river now hem in the rushing waters that we travel upon, and we’ll watch some of the most dramatic scenery unfold as we jet upriver. We’ll watch for big horn sheep and hawks throughout the day. After our excursion we’ll cruise the Snake River, passing through our first lock and dam called Lower Granite. After dinner our Expedition Leader will provide a brief orientation to the journey.
• The Washington Wine Country. Travel by executive coach to Walla Walla. Tour an unusual winery located in an historic 1915 Frenchtown schoolhouse. Join your wine “scholar” on a private tour and tasting of prized reserve wines such as an Estate Syrah. A short distance away is another unique destination winery known for their ultra-premium Merlot wines. Upon returning to the yacht, relax on deck as we cruise along the rolling Columbia River. Enjoy the hot tub, read a book, or join the Captain on the bridge to watch the sunset as we cruise into the Snake River portion of our adventure.
• Exploring the Maryhill Museum and Maryhill Winery. Relax and enjoy a stretch of wilderness along the river which is home to northern harriers, cliff swallows, osprey, mule deer and coyotes. After transiting The Dalles Lock and Dam, we’ll anchor and visit Maryhill Museum followed by a visit to the Maryhill Winery. The museum’s collections are housed in a castle-like chateau situated on a bluff overlooking the Columbia River Gorge. The museum offers an eclectic collection of Native arts, European paintings and the Queen of Romania’s personal effects. Our winery visit will include a tasting from a special tasting list. Back onboard, we’ll make our way through the John Day Lock and Dam. (more…)

Summer is in full swing here in the Pacific Northwest and Cruise West’s remarkable ship, the “Spirit of ‘98″, is making her weekly voyages on the Columbia and Snake Rivers. Having driven the highways along the Columbia River Gorge, I can attest to the dramatic, awe-inspiring scenery that opens in front of you. But to really get a feel for the pulse of life along this waterway and to experience the immensity of the Columbia River Gorge, there is nothing like seeing it from the surface of the river it’s self.

With it’s old fashioned smokestacks and victorian-style decor, the Spirit of ‘98 resembles the steamships that once plied the rivers of North America. Adorned with ornate, carved wooden cabinety, floral upholstery, a Grand Salon and a full bar exuding Old-World charm, you will feel you are being transported aboard an early 20th century steamer. But this small ship offers all modern amenities and convienences including private bath in all cabins and email, internet and phone service on-board.

The weekly departures sail out of Portland, Oregon on the Willamette River which runs right through this west coast city. The following morning will find the ship entering the locks of the Bonneville Dam, a 1938 historic landmark with a fascinating visitors center.

This cruise will visit some unique and historic sights as well as transit 7 dams on its journey inland from the Pacific Ocean to the confluence of the Snake River.

• Pendleton, Oregon: Visit the underground tunnels dug by Chinese immigrants in the late 1800’s connecting their saloons, bordellos and opium dens.  Visit the Pendleton Woolen Mills where native blankets are still woven.  The Tamastslikt Cultural Institute houses the 10,000 year history of the Umtilla, Cayuse and Walla Walla native tribes.
• Hells Canyon: Enjoy a jet boat ride up the wild and scenic Snake River,  deep into the canyon filled with wildlife and ancient indian  petroglyphs.
• Walla Walla, Washington: Enjoy a day filled with great food, art, shopping and wine-tasting at two  very unique Washington wineries.
• Mt. St. Helens: Journey to the site of the 1980 volcanic eruption that levelled 230 square miles of forest.  View the crater left after the moutain blew 1,300 feet from its top and see how the area’s still trying to renew itself.

The Columbia River scenery is dramatic and diverse with lush evergreen forests, cascading waterfalls, orchards, vineyards and stark basalt cliffs. Only Cruise West can get you so close, you’ll feel the spray of the falls on your face. Call Rhonda or Linda at TMI Tours to check available cabins and dates for a great adventure on the Mighty Columbia River. 1-800-975-7775 or info@tmitours.com

This 8 day journey along the Columbia and Snake Rivers combines scenic river history and unexpected cultural expeditions. Learn about the proud Nez Perce tribe and their way of life, past and present, along the Snake River. Combine that with an exhilarating jet-boat ride deep into Hells Canyon, the deepest river gorge in North America.

Your small ship will navigate 8 sets of locks and dams, changing a total of 738 feet of elevation within 470 miles. Pioneer history will come alive as you visit the Ft. Walla Walla Museum which houses over 35,000 artifacts, dioramas, and a real-life pioneer village. See the personal effects of the Queen of Romania as well as European paintings and Native arts at the unusual Maryhill Museum. Visit Ft. Clatsop and experience what life must have been like for the famous Lewis & Clark expedition during the winter of 1806. Learn about this region’s geographical and navigational history at the Columbia River Gorge Discovery Center and the Columbia River Maritime Museum. Cruise in the wake of history and enjoy stories of courage and discovery that await you around every scenic bend.

Summer in the Pacific Northwest is characterized by long, warm days with clear blue skies and gentle breezes. Nowhere is more beautiful this time of year than the Columbia River Gorge. This “Summer Celebration” cruise will celebrate the traditions of the past along with the fantastic wineries of the present while exploring the indigenous culture and history of the Columbia River Basin.

Beginning with your visit to the Bonneville Dam Visitors Center, you will transfer through 8 locks and dams on your way to the northwest “seaport” of Clarkston, Washington. An exhilarating jet-boat ride up the famous Hells Canyon on the Snake River will reveal elk, bighorn sheep, and 7,000 year old petroglyphs. An underground tour at Pendleton explores tunnels built in the late 1800’s by Chinese immigrants for illicit purposes and a visit to the Tamastslikt Cultural Institute will immerse you in a living, cultural Native American village. In Walla Walla, you will be treated to tasting and touring at two unique Columbia River wineries.

Join a special sailing, June 19th, with the chairman of the cruise line and his family. Guests will be treated to exclusive amenities at the chairman’s reception, an exciting raptor exhibition, guest speakers discussing the Lewis & Clark expedition, and the chairman’s farewell dinner. Come enjoy a cruise on the Columbia River at a time of year when the temperatures are pleasant, the wildlife is abundant, and the scenery dramatic.

The Snake River is a major tributary of the Columbia, traveling 1,040 miles from its source in Yellowstone National Park through Wyoming, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. It joins up with the Columbia River near the Tri-Cities area in Eastern Washington (near Kennewick, Pasco, and Richland). People have been living along the Snake River for thousands of years. The Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1804-1806 explored the lower portion of the river. Portions of the Snake River flow through some of the most unspoiled wilderness areas in the continental United States (Hells Canyon National Recreation Area). The river also forms a major portion of Idaho’s western border between it and the state of Oregon.

The Snake and Columbia Rivers are much wilder rivers than most others cruised by riverboats today. Cruises along them are well suited to adventurous clientele. Most Columbia and Snake River cruises operate between Lewiston, Idaho and Astoria, Oregon (near Portland). Itineraries on both rivers generally include visits to Washington wineries, exploration of the region’s spectacular scenery and wildlife and usually offer optional jetboat rides to see the dramatic vertical cliffs of Hells Canyon (a highly recommended excursion). Cruising through locks and canyons, these luxurious river cruise ships generally anchor in strategic spots. These areas are easily explored by kayak which allows people to get up close to the beauty and wonder of the area. Other attractions include shopping, microbreweries, visiting the world’s windsurfing capital (Hood River, Oregon), and seeing the unforgettable Columbia Gorge and the Bonneville Lock and Dam. Local historians, Native American storytellers, local musicians, and artists come on board or entertain on shore as well. (more…)

Hells Canyon is a ten-mile wide canyon located along the border of eastern Oregon and western Idaho. It’s North America’s deepest river gorge at 7,993 feet (2436 m) and the most spectacular feature of Hells Canyon National Recreation Area.

The canyon was carved and created by the waters of the Snake River which plunges more than a mile below the canyon’s west rim on the Oregon side and 8,000 feet below the peaks of Idaho’s Seven Devils Mountains range to the east. The area is inaccessible by road and a true wilderness paradise.

Artifacts from prehistoric inhabitants as well as the ruins of early 19th century miners and settlers are visible along the Snake River. The earliest known settlers in Hells Canyon were the Nez Perce tribe. Others tribes such as the Shoshone-Bannock, Northern Paiute, and Cayuse Indians frequented the area as well–the mild winters along with ample plant and wildlife were the primary attractions. Pictographs and petroglyphs on the walls of the canyon are a record of the Native American settlements and life in the area.

Three members of the Lewis and Clark Expedition entered Hells Canyon along the Salmon River in 1806. Unfortunately, they turned back without reaching the canyon. It wasn’t until 1811 that the Wilson Price Hunt expedition explored Hells Canyon while seeking a shortcut to the Columbia River. Hunger and cold forced them to turn back, as did many explorers who were defeated by the canyon’s inaccessibility.

Early miners with visions of wealth were next to follow. In the 1860s gold was discovered in river bars near the present-day Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, and miners soon penetrated Hells Canyon to seek their mother lode. As well as being difficult to access, gold mining was not profitable here. Evidence of their failed endeavors remains visible along the corridor of the Snake River. (more…)