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.

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.
• Columbia Gorge and Bonneville Dam. This spectacular canyon cuts the only sea-level route through the Cascade Mountain Range and is a designated National Scenic Area. We’ll leave the yacht for a private tour of the impressive Bonneville Dam, the first dam on the Columbia River as you head east. View the massive turbines that produce enormous amounts of hydropower, and step outside to view the fish ladder. Later, we’ll make a port call at Hood River, the windsurfing capital of the world, to tour a local brewery and browse the boutique shops. After dinner a guest speaker will join us for an informative presentation on the local history, and we’ll stay dockside in Hood River for the night.
• Lower Columbia Cruising. The inflatable launch and kayaks will be lowered this morning for a more intimate look at the hidden channels of the Lower Columbia. Paddle in silence or pick up some binoculars and take advantage of excellent birding opportunities. Then, this afternoon we’ll tour the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center in Ilwaco before returning to the ship for our festive Farewell Dinner.

These are only a few of the special encounters that have been arranged for this cruise. To learn more about this exciting opportunity, please feel free to call Linda Bruno or Rhonda Sand at 1-800-975-7775 today for more information.

View from the docks at Stehekin, WA

Are you looking to really get away, relax, and just enjoy some beautiful surroundings? If so, consider Stehekin, Washington. There are only three ways to get to Stehekin—you can hike in, take a floatplane, or travel on the Lady of the Lake ferry up spectacular, sliver-thin Lake Chelan. The voyage to Stehekin itself is an exciting part of the experience. As you get closer to Stehekin, you further remove yourself from the hustle of the modern world. Once you’ve arrived, you will encounter a place where there are no shopping malls, movie theaters, or internet cafes. Here, you will find solace, a relaxing pace of life, and the ability to reconnect with nature. And there are no phones…for some folks, that alone makes this a fantastic location for a vacation!

Stehekin is an outdoor recreational gateway where you can get out and play in the gorgeous landscape of the North Cascades in multiple ways. You are surrounded by whitewater that begs to be conquered, trails that are well suited to horseback rides; miles of single track mountain-bike trails; boat-in campsites that beg for you to kayak to; and fantastic fishing opportunities that will yield lake trout, kokanee, and landlocked Chinook salmon.

Journey up the Stehekin Valley Road (easily traveled via shuttle bus) into North Cascades National Park, and you’ll be treated to excellent day hiking and overnight trailheads that allow you to explore the alpine realm of marmots, pikas, jagged peaks, and glaciers.

Stehekin has beautiful lodges, cabins, developed campgrounds, and all sorts of outdoor opportunities that make it a fantastic destination for a family retreat or solo adventure. If you’re looking to get away from the daily hustle and bustle, then we encourage you to consider Stehekin. Call Linda Bruno or Rhonda Sand at TMI Tours today to start planning your get away at 1-800-975-7775.

Georgie Oaks, circa 1915

Are you a diver? If so, let TMI Tours coordinate an underwater adventure for you. We can arrange for you to join local divers who will guide you in exploring the wreckage of two classic lake steamers that rest beneath the waters of Lake Coeur d’Alene. These guided tours will take you to the site of the Georgie Oaks, a sternwheeler that had a 100-ton capacity and carried both passengers and freight on the lake until 1917. You can also explore the wreckage of The Idaho, one of the largest steamers on the lake with twin side wheels and a capacity of 1,000 passengers. It was 147 feet long and owned by the Coeur d’Alene & St. Joe Transportation Company (later renamed the Red Collar Line). In 1915 the ship caught fire and sank in Blackrock Bay. One of its big paddle wheels is on display at the Museum of North Idaho (not far from the Coeur d’Alene Chamber of Commerce Building).

TMI Tours will be happy to make arrangements for you to dive on Lake CDA. We are also able to take care of your accommodations and transportation needs as well. Please feel free to call Linda Bruno or Rhonda Sand at 1-800-975-7775 or email them at info@tmitours.com for more information on creating your personalized diving adventure on Lake Coeur d’Alene.

Mt. Shuksan, North Cascades National Park

With mountain peaks that have names such as Desolation Peak, Mount Fury, Jagged Ridge, and Mount Terror — it’s pretty evident that North Cascades National Park is a very rugged, imposing place. It is the largest and most rugged alpine wilderness in the contiguous United States. It features numerous 8,000-foot peaks, approximately 400 glaciers, virgin Douglas fir and Western red cedar forests, and wildlife that includes wolves and grizzly bears. If you’re looking for a true wild west experience…then this is the place for you!

TMI Tours has crafted an outdoor adventure that follows the Cascade Highway high into the Cascade Mountains and ends at the beautiful Pacific Ocean. You will enjoy mountain biking and hiking into secluded wilderness areas, as well as sampling local cuisine and wines at unique lodges and hotels along the way. Highlights of this trip include:

• 5 nights at distinctive lodges, hotels, or even houseboats selected for you based on your interests. You drive on your own, following a self-guided itinerary.
• Selected sightseeing by mountain bike and hiking with regional experts in several wilderness areas. Bicycles will be provided or you may bring your own.
• We will provide mapped out, “best of the best” driving routes!
• Unique dining experiences you may not find on your own that are complimented with local fine wines and exotic cuisine.

To view the details of this exciting journey, please click here. This sample itinerary may easily be modified to suit your needs or wishes. Give us a call today at 1-800-975-7775 to start planning your adventure!