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.