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.

Did you know that at one time, Idaho had the highest concentration of fire lookout towers in the world? It’s true! At the peak of operation, Idaho had 992 lookouts in service and Washington had 658. The greatest density of towers was in the St. Joe River drainage, where some towers were less than three miles apart. The primary purpose of the fire lookout was for the detection of forest fires. The most notable wildfire that struck the inland Northwest in Idaho, Montana, and eastern Washington was the famous 1910 fire. When fires were detected, the lookout person would report the fire location to a dispatcher who would initiate fire suppression action. Initially, the communication was by telephone via miles and miles of telephone wire; but was later replaced with radio communications. Unfortunately, modern day technology has replaced most fire lookouts with satellite imaging and aerial reconnaissance to spot forest fires.

Today, there are fewer than 200 left standing and out of those less than 50 are actually still in service. Fortunately, there are several organizations that understand the historical significance of these lookouts and continue to work hard to preserve them.

For those who are adventurous, you can now rent many of these lookouts for several nights at a time. Virtually every one of these towers offers unparalleled views of the inland Northwest’s pristine forests and mountains since they are perched on mountain peaks. Many of the visitor logbooks at these towers will be full of statements such as “most amazing view of the Milky Way I’ve ever encountered.” Whether you enjoy wildlife photography, hiking, bird watching, or simple seek solitude, TMI Tours can assist you in creating a Lookout Tower Adventure. Several towers in the North Idaho area are accessible with four wheel drive vehicles.

Let us make all of the arrangements for you! From transportation to bedding and top notch cuisine…we’ll do all of the legwork for you! You simply need to relax and enjoy! Call Linda Bruno or Rhonda Sand today at 1-800-975-7775 to begin planning your Lookout Tower Adventure.

Sandpoint, Idaho is one of North Idaho’s favorite get-a-ways for locals and tourists alike.  It is quaint and quirky with local artist galleries, earthy shops and local crafts as well as stunning scenery and white sand beaches.  Sitting  on the shores of beautiful Lake Pend Oreille, nestled between the Selkirk and Cabinet Mountain ranges,  Sandpoint offers an abundance of summer and winter activities.

Stay and play on Lake Pend Oreille in one of Sandpoints newest upscale waterfront developements.  This marina village offers lakefront and mountain view bungalow rentals with full kitchens and full outdoor decks for enjoying bar-b-ques or watching the sunset.  Each cottage comes fully furnished and includes lake access with boat and watersport rentals, membership to the fitness center and access to 9 miles of walking and biking trails that meander through the forest, wetlands and lakeshore.  The village cafe offers casual dining for lunch and dinner and a small market offers snacks, beverages and boating supplies.  Sandpoint is just minutes away for further dining options, supermarkets and sightseeing.

While in Sandpoint, be sure to visit the Cedar Street Bridge Public Market.  Built on a bridge that spans Sand Creek, this public market has windows that look out over the creek and houses some interesting restaurants and gift shops.  Another beautiful place to visit is the Sandpoint City Park with it’s pristine white sand beaches on Lake Pend Oreille.  With food concessions, BBQ and picnic areas, tennis and basketball courts, volleyball and horseshoe pits as well as two marinas, it is a fun place for family and swimming.

Schweitzer Mountain is just a 10 mile drive from Sandpoint and is a refreshing alternative when the heat of summer gets a little uncomfortable.  Ride the Great Escape Quad lift to the top of the mountain and take in a view that will leave you breathless.  Enjoy the cool mountain breezes at the top of Schweitzer where you’ll find hiking and mountain bike trails as well as huckleberry picking and local wildlife.  The Mountain Activity Center can arrange for participation in the Kids Day Camp, Disc golf, Geocaching, wall climbing and bungee trampolines, tennis, lawn games or a movie in the Selkirk Theatre.

TMI Tours has great packages and optional activities available for all the top destinations in North Idaho.  Contact Linda or Rhonda at info@tmitours.com or 1-800-975-7775 for more information and reservations.

Renting a lakefront home or cabin on Lake Coeur d’Alene is the perfect way to enjoy all that our area has to offer. Our luxury home and cabin rentals come with all the amenities you require for a summer vacation on the lake—private homes complete with beautiful lake views, open air decks, sandy beaches, dock space for boats, jet skis, and more.

Water sports are a huge part of lakefront living on Lake Coeur d’Alene. Water skiing, boogie boarding, wakeboarding, and tubing all are available right from your own private dock. We’ll be happy to arrange instruction for beginners too. Personal watercraft rentals are a great way to see the lake and a sure fire way to add some excitement to your day. We can arrange jet ski or wave runner rentals by the day or by the week.

If you have never experienced the thrill of sailing your own boat, this is the perfect place to try it. Lake Coeur d’Alene always has gentle breezes on the water and we can arrange for you to learn with one of our sailing experts. The perfect ending to a day of sailing is refreshments on the deck at Silver Beach where all the local sailors meet and hang out!

Your vacation won’t be complete until you’ve spent the day exploring the 130 miles of shoreline on a private lake tour. Armed with sun tan lotion, cool drinks, and a gourmet lunch, we can show you the most beautiful, secluded lake homes, wildlife drinking at the water’s edge, and the world’s only floating golf green. Enjoy lunch and a swim at an uncrowded beach or go ashore to enjoy one of the lake crowd’s favorite watering holes. Learn about the rich and lively history of this lake and the small towns that still thrive along its shores. Please email us or call us at 1-800-975-7775 for availability and additional information about cabin and house rentals.

Dude Ranch vacations offer a taste of the Rocky Mountain outdoors and the option of adventures together as a family, as well as spending some time on your own.  Each day is filled with horseback riding and a wide mix of other local activities for all ages.

North Idaho and Western Montana have beautiful ranches nestled into the mountains and valleys of  the Rocky Mountains.  Surrounded by stunning scenery, activities center around the true western mode of travel–horseback.  Because most ranch stays are all-inclusive, meals, lodging and activities are all included in one price.

Accomodations can range from guest rooms in a main lodge, to cozy cabins for the family or luxurious mountain retreats and private homes.  Three meals a day are served family style with special nights reserved for couples only and real western campfire cookouts.  Most activities are guided by the ranch hands such as trail rides, hiking, mountain bike rides, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, river floats, atv rides, gold panning and more.

Dude ranches cater to kids with special programs that are both educational and entertaining.  Hands on experience with their assigned horse is centerpeice for these programs along with daily adventures introducing them to riding, nature and ranch life.  Adults are always welcome to join their kids during any activity, or may use this special time to pursue their own adventures.

Ranch vacations are usually booked for 3-7 night stays during the summer months with shorter stays for spring and fall.  TMI Tours offers a wide selection of ranch vacation throughout Idaho and Montana.  Let us match you to your perfect western vacation.  Call Rhonda or Linda at 1-800-975-7775 or email info@tmitours.com

With spring in full swing throughout North Idaho, now is the time to get the clubs out, and get to work on your handicap. Coeur d’Alene is quickly becoming a well known destination for beautiful and challenging golf courses. The premier courses in our area are geared up and ready for players. So, set aside some time from your busy schedule and let us help you spend a few days enjoying our stunning, panoramic North Idaho scenery while you work your way through some gorgeous fairways and greens.

TMI Tours has created a fantastic, luxurious golf package that features four of the best golf courses in the entire Inland Northwest. Read more about each of these courses and the entire package by clicking here. These courses are hard sought after by many golfer, so please contact Rhonda Sand or Linda Bruno today to ensure your tee times will get scheduled before these courses are booked up for the season.

Although North Idaho is famous for crystal, clear water and spectacular scenery, we don’t have any natural hot springs to boast of. But just across the border of Idaho/Montana, lies a wonderful, small hot spring resort which is easily accessible from Spokane and Coeur d’Alene.  This scenic resort situated on the Clark Fork River offers chemical-free mineral pools replenished with constant flowing spring water for maximum theraputic benefit.  The pool area is divided into 6 smaller pools of varying temperatures, ranging from 50 to 105 degrees ensuring comfort in any weather. 

 The fully-stocked tavern offers live music on Saturday nights in a relaxed environment and their historic restaurant serves delicious food 7 days a week from an extensive menu.  For years, this was a favorite retreat for locals from North Idaho and Montana and now, with the new cabins and facilities, it is sure to remain so for years to come. 

Clark Fork River

 Whether you are looking for a romantic couples weekend, or a place to take the kids away from home, the accomodations and facilities here have something for everyone.  With more than a half mile of private river frontage, guests can fly fish, float the river or take a whitewater raft trip and be delivered practically to their door.  This is also a great base-camp for day excursions to Flathead Lake or Glacier National Park.  For some authentic western culture, visit the National Bison Range or the People’s Center featuring a museum and art of the Salish, Kootenai and Pend d’Oreille tribes.

Call Rhonda or Linda at TMI Tours & Cruises, 1-800-975-7775,  for availability and details about this fantastic hot springs get-a-way.  With so many adventures to choose from, we can put together a fun-filled family vacation or a romantic weekend for two.  Email inquiries to info@tmitours.com

Spring and early summer fishing on Coeur d’Alene Lake is a fantastic way to relax and enjoy the beauty of North Idaho. Combine the excellent scenery of the surrounding area around our magnificent lake with the ability to catch large fish and you’re in for a great experience!

11 lb. Chinook Salmon Caught in April 2009

Coeur d’Alene Lake is one of the few places in the United States that has a sustainable land-locked Chinook Salmon fishery. In 1982, Chinook Salmon were stocked in the lake and now the fishery has grown to be one of the most popular in the Northwest. The catch rate in the spring and early summer are good with the average Chinook weighing in at 3 to 8 pounds. However, it is not uncommon to catch 10 and 11 pound fish as well.

If you have never fished for Northern Pike, then you are in for a treat. These aggressive fish are the apex warm water predator in Coeur d’Alene Lake. (more…)

Need to take a break from work without breaking your budget? Why not consider taking a staycation? If you aren’t completely familiar with this term, here’s the official definition:

“A vacation that is spent at one’s home enjoying all that home and one’s home environs offers. A dream vacation right at your doorstep.” The Urban Dictionary

In light of today’s tight economy, choosing a staycation this year is an excellent way to relax and explore the beauty of North Idaho. We live in such a magnificent place…why not spend some time exploring and experiencing some of the great locations close to home! A staycation offers you the ability to “play tourist” right at home.

Like any vacation, a staycation requires planning. Let TMI Tours help you plan your excursions. Interested in a private boat tour of Lake Coeur d’Alene? Want to try your hand at fly fishing some of the world class rivers and streams in our area? How about about spending a day whitewater rafting?

This is only a sampling of the unique adventures that TMI can create for you and your family here in North Idaho. Please feel free to call us at 1-800-975-7775 or email us at info@tmitours.com for more information about planning your staycation.

TMI Tours has a wide variety of accommodations in and around the Coeur d’Alene area. Our luxury home and cabin rentals come with all the amenities you could want in a summer vacation on Lake Coeur d’Alene—private homes complete with beautiful lake views, open air decks, sandy beaches, dock space for boats, jet skis, and more.

Personal watercraft rentals are a great way to see the lake and a sure fire way to add some excitement to your day. We can arrange jet skis or wave runners for you to enjoy for the day, or park them at your dock and use them anytime during your stay.

If you have never experienced the thrill of sailing your own boat, this is the perfect place to try it. Lake Coeur d’Alene always has gentle breezes on the water and we can arrange for you to learn with one of our sailing experts. The perfect ending to a day of sailing is refreshments on the deck at Silver Beach, where all the local sailors meet!

Water sports are a huge part of lakefront living on Coeur d’Alene Lake. Water skiing, boogie boarding, wakeboarding, and tubing can all be available right from your own dock and we’ll be happy to arrange instruction for beginners.

Your vacation won’t be complete until you’ve spent the day exploring the 130 miles of shoreline on a private lake tour. Armed with sun tan lotion, cool drinks, and a gourmet lunch, we can show you the most beautiful, secluded lake homes, wildlife drinking at the water’s edge, or the world’s only floating golf green. Enjoy lunch and swim at an un-crowded beach or go ashore to enjoy one of the lake crowd’s favorite watering holes. Learn about the rich and lively history of this lake and the small towns that still thrive on its shores. Let us take you up the “Shadowy St. Joe River” where the water is so clear, you’ll be able to spot fish swimming beneath the boat.

A vacation home in or around Lake Coeur d’Alene gives you the ability to enjoy a multitude of activities. To learn more about the many benefits of vacationing in our beautiful resort town, please call Linda Bruno or Rhonda Sand at 1-800-975-7775.