Getting outdooors in North Idaho is what vacationing and living here are all about.  Whether you are new to the area or enjoying a family vacation at one of our beautiful lakes, guided adventures let you enjoy the activity without any of the worry. 

Imagine the exhilaration of hiking high in the mountains, cresting the ridgetop and looking down on a sparkling mountain lake nestled into a alpine meadow.   The rugged Selkirk Mountains in the Idaho Panhandle offer a chance to hike in the native habitat of moose, elk, bear and eagles.   Hiking trails wind through old growth forest, over cascading streams, through huckleberry patches and along mountain tops where the views go on forever.  Local guides will enchant you with stories of early fur trappers and traders, mountain men and native americans that lived and walked these same trails. 

Mountain biking in the Selkirks is easy with the help of the Great Escape Quad lift, whisking  bicycles and their riders up the mountain with ease.   For a great family outing  join a 19 mile downhill bike run from the top of the mountain  to a private 6-acre ranch located on pristine Priest River.  Spend the day enjoying a leisurely ride through spectacular scenery complete with a support vechicle, lunch at the ranch, swimming and playing in the river and van transportation back to your point of departure. 

Of course with all this tumbling water around us, guided kayak adventures can be taylored for almost any level of enthusiast.   Specially designed trips for beginners and young teens are available on beautiful Priest River using stable, inflateable kayaks and include just the right amount of fast and slow water to keep it fun.

TMI Tours of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho has complete details on these and many other guided outdoor adventures available in North Idaho and the Pacific Northwest.  Contact Linda Bruno or Rhonda Sand for airfare, lodging and activities for your perfect vacation in the great state of Idaho. 1-800-975-7775 or info@tmitours.com

Coeur d’Alene, Idaho is the perfect place to plan a corporate meeting  or family special event.  Set on the shores of Lake Coeur d’Alene and surrounded by thickly forested mountains and  sparkling rivers, Coeur d’Alene offers beautiful summer weather for enjoying our abundant outdoor activities. 

Luxury yacht on Lake Coeur dalene

Rent a luxury yacht and enjoy a totally care-free experience for your meeting or special event.  Considered one of the world’s most beautiful lakes, Lake Coeur d’Alene has over one hundred miles of scenic shoreline and three breathtaking, navigable rivers.  Each river is an adventure in itself offering unique yachting and sightseeing experiences.  Cruise the crystal blue waters while gazing at amazing wildlife; bald eagles, osprey, deer and moose-all in their natural habitat.  Meetings are always more enjoyable with the calming waters under you, the barbeque smoking and of course, your favorite beverages on board. 

How about a real western cook-out complete with trail and hayrides?  Local ranches offer true western hospitality for groups of any size, complete with sizzling steak bar-b-ques and all the fixin’s’.   They love to hitch up the haywagon and transport your guests  back to a simpler way of life while taking in  fresh mountain air and scenery.  For the more adventurous, saddle up a horse and take a guided trail ride across the meadows and streams that lace our backyard.

Already coming to Coeur d’Alene with a group or event?  Let TMI Tours arrange activities for after-hours adventures or corporate team building.   We offer a wide array of outdoor activities such as white water rafting,  guided mountain bike or hiking adventures, fishing excursions, golfing, river floats and day-trips to Glacier National Park. 

Coeur d’Alene and the surrounding communities offer accomodations to fit any budget whether a luxury resort hotel,  farm-stay or lakefront luxury homes and cabins.  For information on activities, accomodations, airfare, transportation and meeting planning contact Rhonda or Linda at TMI Tours of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.  Let us help you plan a unique event for your family or company this summer on stunning Lake Coeur d’Alene.

Spring brings the beginning of the cruise season for the Columbia and Snake River region in the Pacific Northwest.  Every week from April 17th through October 17th, small cruise ships navigate the locks and dams that tame the Mighty Columbia River as they usher guests deep into the Columbia River Gorge.   While most river cruises carry you past urban centers and crowded shorelines, much of the Columbia and Snake Rivers remain pristine and wild.  You can clearly see

Hells Canyon

 evidence of the great floods that carved this region thousands of years ago in the breathtakingly  beautiful Columbia River Gorge, the golden coulees and scablands, the great black pinnacles of basalt that guided explorers, Lewis & Clark.   You’ll find the past and present coexist here, from Oregon Trail wagon ruts to the modern engineering marvel of eight locks and dams.

Adventurous shore excursions entice all ages:  jet boat rides up the Snake River through Hells Canyon to view 7,000 year old Indian petroglyphs, wandering the hidden underground city built by Chinese emigrants below Pendelton as well as fascinating historical and maritime museums, lush wineries and quaint riverside towns.

Columbia River vineyard

Throughout these cruises, the Pacific Northwest’s pioneer history is brought to life with a special series of excursions, guest speakers, narrations and on-board presentations by historians and exloration leaders.  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 lifetime.

Touch, breathe and experience first-hand the unique history of the Columbia River Gorge .  Contact Rhonda or Linda at TMI Tours & Cruises at 1-800-975-7775 or email info@tmitours.com for more information on these and other cruises in the Pacific Northwest.

On Lake Coeur d’Alene, lakefront home rentals provide the perfect option for family vacations whether you are staying  for a week, a month or longer.   With 190 miles of pristine, wooded shoreline and 40 intimate bays, Lake Coeur d’Alene is  the Pacific Northwests most famous summer playground and resort destination.  The surrounding area offers camping, fishing, hiking, mountain biking, whitewater rafting, watersports, beaches, parks and just about kind of outdoor activity you can think of.

Vacation homes and cabins on the lake come equipt with private docks, beaches, canoes or paddleboats, waterview decks with bar-b-ques and plenty of clean, fresh air.   Most homes are within a 20 minute drive from Coeur d’Alene or Harrison, Idaho and there are several lakefront resorts offering dining and social activites for all ages. 

Of course the best way to explore Lake Coeur d’Alene is from the water.  Local companies will deliver a boat fully loaded with ski equiptment, lifevests, tubes and wakeboards.  Rentals can run anywhere from 1/2 day to weekly, delivered to the lake for your convienience.  Public docks are located at Coeur d’Alene, Harrison, Post Falls and at the great restaurants dotted around Lake Coeur d’Alene as well as State Parks and major points of interest.

Mountain bike rentals can take you on several historical sightseeing routes around the Coeur d’Alene area.  Schweitzer and Silver Mountain whisk riders to the peaks for easy access to alpine mountain bike trails during the summer months.   The Route of the Hiawatha combines easy riding trails with vintage railroad trestles and tunnels through the mountains of the famous Silver Valley.

Any vacation in North Idaho wouldn’t be complete without a day or two at our  famous theme-park, Silverwood.  Located between the resort town of Sandpoint, Idaho and Coeur d’Alene, this is an attraction that will keep the whole family busily entertained.  Silverwood offers over 65 rides, shows and attractions from raging roller coasters plunging at 65 mph to carnival rides perfect for the little ones.  Boulder Beach Water Park will keep you cool with wavepools, high velocity tubes and slides, toddlers attractions with fountains and geysers as well as a family-fun raft ride down a twisting mountain.

TMI Tours of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho has the latest listings of luxurious homes and cabins for rent on Lake Coeur d’Alene this summer as well as action packed activities taylored to your family.  Call Rhonda or Linda at 1-800-975-7775 or email us at info@tmitours.com and let us plan your perfect family summer getaway at Lake Coeur d’Alene.

Bring your family to the Pacific Northwest for an unforgettable whitewater adventure on the famous Rogue River.    This spectacular river flows from the Cascade Range to the Pacific Ocean through mostly national forest and is one of the eight origonal “Wild and Scenic” rivers designated in 1968.   Spend 7 days/6 nights on an outdoor journey that will include hiking to Crater Lake, rafting the Rouge River while camping along it’s shores, sleeping in an authentice tree-house and exploring the Oregon Caves National Monument. 

After meeting our guide in Medford, the group will head to Crater Lake National Park, enjoying an evening at the historic Crater Lake Lodge and a boat cruise on this crystal-blue lake cupped in a giant volcanic caldera.  Your family will be able to enjoy some light hiking  around the park before the group heads to Ashland, Oregon where we will spend the night at the Ashland Springs Hotel while enjoying this quaint town, home of the Shakespeare Festival.  Then we are off for a 2 night/3 day adventure on the Rogue with backcountry camping, whitewater fun, hiking and plenty of discovery!   The rugged beauty of this river as it winds through narrow canyons and old-growth forest,  will dazzle and delight you.  The next two evenings will be spent at a truly magical rustic tree-house resort set on 36 acres next to the Siskiyou National  Forest.  With a river-fed swimming pool, tree forts, swinging bridges, zip-lines and ladders, children of all ages will the enchanted.  Our final day is spent exploring the marble caves of the Oregon Caves National Monument with its stalatites, stalagmites, fossils and human history.

Bring your family to explore Oregon’s rivers, caves and tree houses this summer on a vacation they’ll never forget.  For more information on this unique family adventure in the Pacific Northwest, call Rhonda or Linda at TMI Tours at 1-800-975-7775 or email us at info@tmitours.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.

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.

Whew, it has been a hot summer here in North Idaho.  Whitewater or float trips on any of the  rivers that run through this beautiful country are such a great way to spend time with the family and keep everyone cool.  Whether you are visiting us here in Coeur d’Alene or any of the surrounding communities, TMI Tours can find a river trip that is perfect for you.

If you have small children, then a day trip through Alberton Gorge on the Clark Fork River might be just what you are looking for.  The water has calmed down a little and the Clark Fork offers roller-coaster waves with intermittent warm pools that invite you to jump right in.  These trips leave daily through September 2nd  near  Superior, Montana and have you back to your vehicle by dinner time.  Lunch is served picnic style on a big, sandy beach where the kids can splash and explore.  This whitewater experience is suitable for ages 5 years and up.

Also suitable for the younger set,  try a 4 -day family camping whitewater adventure leaving every Sunday and Tuesday through September 13th from Lewiston, Idaho.   Cascading down 60 miles of Idaho’s Salmon “River of No Return”, everyone will love the whitewater excitement, warm water, expansive white sand beaches and historical sites.   This river is famous for it’s rich Native American history and ancient pioneer homesteads tucked into the mountansides and valleys.  Kids will love the “River Jester” who will entertain  with nature hikes and other special activities just for them.  Parents will love camping without the work..let the river guides handle all the details for you.  This camping adventure is also suitable for ages 5 years and up.

Coeur dAlene River

If you are just looking for a gentle float down a river, try the Spokane River, below the falls.  Every afternoon  you can relax and enjoy 3 hours of the beautiful Spokane River, letting your cares drift away.  The scenery is beautiful, the companionship enjoyable and the water is warm and inviting.    Looking for a little longer float trip, then it’s definitely the Coeur d’Alene River you want.  With a minimum group of 6, you can get transportation and floats for 1/2 day or a full day and enjoy the clean mountain air and crystal clear waters of the Coeur d’Alene.  You’ll have plenty of company because all the locals will be there too.

Call Rhonda or Linda at TMI Tours & Cruises for prices, availability and water updates for these and other great whitewater destinations throughout Idaho and Montana.  1-800-975-777 or info@tmitours.com  We are your vacation specialists for the Pacific Northwest.

Ask anyone who has ever been there and they will tell you– Priest Lake is one of the most beautiful places on earth. It has that perfect combination of wilderness and civilization that tempts you to return again and again. Nestled high in the Selkirk Mountain Range of North Idaho, surrounded by thick forest and rugged peaks, Priest Lake has earned the name of Idaho’s Crown Jewel.

Priest Lake is approximately 25 miles long and consists of two lakes connected by a 2-mile thorofare. Upper Priest Lake is accessible only by trail or by water, offering a solitude you just won’t find at North Idaho’s other lake destinations. Lower Priest Lake is a vacation paradise with numerous campgrounds, marina’s for boat access and lakefront resorts offering vacation cabin rentals, fine dining and access to water sports. Priest Lake is also famous for it’s fishing offering trophy size Mackinaw as well as brook trout and cutthroat in the alpine lakes and streams that occupy the Priest Lake Basin.

Vacation rentals are at a premium during the summer season on Priest Lake and reservations are required. You will find accomodations lean toward log cabins set in the forest with stunning lake views, furnished in true western flavor with full kitchens and natural stone fireplaces. There are plenty of restaurants and lounges serving delicious breakfast, lunches and dinners as well as enticing you with that Priest Lake favorite–the huckleberry. You’ll find it in everything from your pancakes to your daiquiri’s and it is a treat not to be missed. Without a doubt, Priest Lake has some of the best huckleberry picking in the State of Idaho, combining the perfect elevation with the perfect climate.

If you are looking for outdoor adventure, the rugged area surrounding Priest Lake offers unlimited hiking, mountain bike and ATV trails. Streams tumble down the rocky hillsides into amazing waterfalls and pools and the mountains are dotted with alpine lakes. The shoreline of Priest Lake offers easy hiking and great opportunities to view all kinds of wildlife. Kayaking, canoeing and water skiing are available from the beaches of the resorts as well as evening campfires and real western bar-b-ques.

For vacation assistance with reservations for Priest Lake, please call Rhonda or Linda at 1-800-975-7775 or email info@tmitours.com. Flights can be arranged into Spokane International Airport or one of the private airstrips located at Priest Lake. Let us help plan your perfect vacation into the Idaho wilderness this summer on beautiful Priest Lake, Idaho.