After a beautiful, but long winter, spring is finally emerging here in North Idaho. With warmer weather creeping in, it’s time to start planning those weekend getaways and summer vacations. So…what do you want to do?

Interested in whitewater rafting? TMI has many exciting rafting packages available. We can create trips for any skill level. From beginners to expert rafters, we are able to create single day events or multi-day adventures for you.

How about taking an RV to Glacier National Park, Yellowstone National Park…or both? We can set it up! Leave the details to us and let us arrange everything for you – right down to making sure the refrigerator in your RV is well stocked for your adventure. An RV vacation is excellent for families, couples, or individuals seeking to explore these magnificent national parks.

Looking to just relax by the lake or one of our pristine rivers? Let us find the perfect cabin or luxurious lakefront home for your getaway. TMI is able to provide some of the most magnificent homes available in North Idaho. From quaint to super luxurious, TMI is able to secure a property that will match up well with your desires.

These are only a few of the ways to enjoy the beauty of North Idaho and the surrounding area. TMI Tours is anxious to be of assistance to those planning a visit to North Idaho. Please feel free to call us at 1-800-975-7775 or email us at info@tmitours.com to discuss your spring and summer vacation plans!

Seeing a moose in its natural habitat is an amazing treat. We have the privilege of living in an area of United States which is heavily populated with moose. Along with all of the other wonderful wildlife found here (elk, whitetail and mule deer, mountain lions, wolves, black bears, and grizzly bears), North Idaho is a great place to observe and photograph moose.

The average adult moose stands 6–7 ft high at the shoulder. Males (bulls) may weigh anywhere from 850–1600 pounds and females (cows) may weigh 600–800 pounds. Typically, the antlers of a mature bull may span from 3 ft and 5 ft in width. The moose is the second largest land animal (bison is the largest) in both North America and Europe.

Bulls will drop their antlers after the mating season and to conserve energy during the peak of winter. A new set of antlers will then re-grow in the spring. Antlers take three to five months to fully develop, making them one of the fastest growing animal organs known. Initially, new antlers have a layer of skin called felt which is shed once the antlers become fully grown. Immature bulls may not shed their antlers for the winter, but retain them until the following spring. Spring time in North Idaho is famous for “shed hunting”, which involves getting out in the backcountry by either hiking, riding atv’s, four wheel drive vehicles, snowmobiles, or snowshoes (depending on the weather and terrain) to look for dropped moose, elk, or deer antlers. (more…)

Looking for a great day trip or an interesting place to visit on your customized Self Drive Experience? The Roosevelt Ancient Cedars and Granite Falls are an excellent destination for anyone visiting North Idaho. Located near the Idaho/Washington border, on the west side of Priest Lake, Granite Falls cascades down a narrow, sheer rock gorge and hits the bottom with a thunderous roar. A one mile loop trail from the lower cedar grove will take you to excellent view areas about the lower falls where you are able to view both the upper and lower portions of the falls. If you continue another ½ mile on past the vista points, you will arrive in the upper cedar grove.

The Roosevelt Grove of Ancient Cedars is the home of a virgin forest containing giant cedar trees that are up to 2000 years old. The trees here are up to 12 feet in diameter and reach heights of 150 feet. The area was designated a Scenic Area in 1943. These sentinels are amazing. You’ll find yourself stopping constantly and just looking up at their beauty. Don’t forget your camera! If you want, TMI Tours will also arrange a gourmet picnic lunch prepared in advance by one of the top chefs in our area. Imagine sitting in the picnic area under these giant, ancient trees…what a great experience!

This is just one of many great locations to visit in North Idaho. Let us help you arrange day trips or a complete itinerary for your family or group so that you can maximize your enjoyment of the natural beauty that we enjoy here in the Inland Northwest. Call us today at 1-800-975-7775 to start planning your adventure.

Everyone should ride the Hiawatha Trail…at least once! Whether you’re a North Idaho local or you’re just visiting our beautiful area, we highly recommend this beautiful, easy bike ride.

This “crown jewel” of rail-to-trail mountain bicycle trails is located near Interstate 90 at the Idaho/Montana state line, 12 miles east of historic Wallace, Idaho. With 10 tunnels and 7 high trestles, this 15-mile winding route crosses the rugged Bitteroot Mountains between Idaho and Montana. The Route of the Hiawatha is best known for the long, dark Taft Tunnel, which burrows for 1.66 miles under the Idaho/Montana state line.

While a 15 mile bike ride (one way) may seem daunting to many, it’s an easy trail to ride. Keep in mind that it never exceeds a 2% grade anywhere on the trail (due to government regulations when the railroad was built). This makes it an easy trail for children and adults of any age and skill level. For bikers who enjoy longer, more challenging rides, you may turn around at the end and ride back up for a total of 30 miles.

There are several spots along the trail that feature historical markers and beautiful vistas await you at every turn. Don’t forget your camera!

TMI Tours can make all of the arrangements for your group if you wish – tickets, bike rentals, headlamps (required), and even gourmet picnic lunches! Call us today at 1-800-975-7775 to plan your trip. The tentative opening for the Hiawatha this year is May 24th, 2009!

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…)

It’s almost here! Spring is just around the corner and it’s time to get out and enjoy being outside. North Idaho offers pristine wilderness, quaint communities, old west appeal and great wildlife viewing opportunities. Unspoiled, yet luxurious. Remote, yet close enough to wonderful art galleries, shops, wineries, and restaurants with incredible cuisine. North Idaho is a great destination! With spring on its way, now is the time to book your vacation here. Spring is a great time to visit. Flowers blooming, trees leaving out, wildlife getting out to enjoy the warm sunshine…all combine to create an opportune time for exploring our area.

TMI Tours offers great pre-planned and fully customizable itineraries for visitors to North Idaho. Let us help you plan your getaway. This is where we live and where we play! One of our popular itineraries may be viewed by clicking here.

If this itinerary is of interest to you or if you’d like to speak to one of our trip designers please feel to call our office at 1-800-975-7775 for more information. We would enjoy the opportunity to discuss your vacation ideas with you and create a memorable North Idaho experience for you! You may also contact us via email at info@tmitours.com.

Washington State is a premium wine producing region with over 498 distinct wineries. Located in the northwest corner of the United States, it has excellent geography, soil, and weather conditions conducive for producing consistent grapes year after year. Even though it is considered a relatively young wine industry, it is now the nation’s second largest wine producer. Washington State is also proud to be ranked among the world’s top wine regions. Washington wines are now available in all 50 states and internationally in more than 40 countries.

With over 30,000 acres planted, there are over ten regions that are perfect for growing premium vinifera wine grapes which produce consistent quality, resulting in strong vintages year after year. Washington vineyards largely focus on Chardonnay, Riesling, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah; however they also produce a wide range of other spectacular whites and reds.

TMI Tours & Cruises has several luxurious cruise and vacation packages available for wine aficionados. From luxury cruises to fancy teepees with amazing views of vineyards and rivers, we can arrange private tastings and tours of Washington’s leading wineries. Email us or feel free to call us at 1-800-975-7775 to explore the many options available for exploring and experiencing wine country in Washington.

Due to a controversial, yet very successful reintroduction program, wolves are now a fixture in Yellowstone National Park after an absence of over 70 years. Several dozen wolves were captured in Canada and then turned loose in Yellowstone during March of 1995. Since their reintroduction in the park, the animals have done remarkably well—reproducing at a rapid rate. Wolf packs are now located in various parts of the park. Wolves prey on a variety of species, notably elk in the Yellowstone area, but will also pursue moose, deer, sheep, and other animals.

Although these wolf packs have wandered outside of Yellowstone’s boundaries, the best place to see them is still inside the park primarily in the Lamar Valley between Mammoth and Cooke City. While it is still very early in the morning and it’s still dark, we will set up at our overlook to watch and listen very quietly and intently. Chances are we’ll hear them howling, and we may see them in this vast open sagebrush area as they hunt. Viewing wildlife in Yellowstone is an amazing experience not to be missed!

This exciting adventure, along with luxurious lodge accommodations where elk and bison can be observed from the front door await you as part of our Wildlife and Waterfalls Yellowstone Adventure. To learn more about this amazing trip, please contact Rhonda Sand or Linda Bruno today at 1-800-975-7775.

The Columbia River (known as Wimahl or Big River to the Chinook-speaking natives who live on its lowermost reaches) is the largest river in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. It is named after the Columbia Rediviva, the first ship from the western world known to have traveled up the river. It stretches from British Columbia through Washington state, forming much of the border between Washington and Oregon before emptying into the Pacific Ocean. The river is 1,243 miles long, and its drainage basin is 258,000 square miles. Source: Wikipedia

The mighty Columbia originates in two lakes that lie between the Continental Divide and Selkirk mountain ranges in British Columbia. The river takes a convoluted path as it flows north for 200 or more miles, then it turns south and runs across the US/Canada border. Within the United States, the river courses southwest and skirts across one of the Columbia Plateau’s massive lava flows where it turns to the southeast and cuts a dramatic gorge in the earth’s layers to its junction with the westward flowing Snake River. After its confluence with the Snake, the Columbia runs virtually due west all the way to the Pacific Ocean.

The Columbia has ten major tributaries: the Kootenay, Okanagan, Wenatchee, Spokane, Yakima, Snake, Deschutes, Willamette, Cowlitz, and Lewis rivers. The most important tributary, the Snake, flows for over 1,100 miles across a semi-arid plain and runs through the deepest gorge in North America, Hell’s Canyon — 7,900 feet deep. The Deschutes and Willamette rivers drain south of the Columbia, while the Yakima, Lewis, and Cowlitz rivers drain to the north. (more…)