Steptoe Butte, Nez Perce Country and Unforgettable Hell's Canyon  (Time: 11 hours)

South of Spokane near Rosalia is the site of one of the last Native American victories dating to May 1858.  From Rosalia wind your way to the 3,612 foot summit known as Steptoe  Butte. Views stretch for 200  miles over the mighty Palouse.   Hear the story of Colonel Steptoe and his encounter with a band of Coeur d'Alene, Spokane and Palouse Indians and his need to retreat. Learn about "Cashup" Davis and the impact of his friendly nature in settling the surrounding area.  Continue south and explore along the Snake and Columbia River reliving the days of the Nez Perce Indians under Chief Joseph and follow the route of the Corps of Discovery, it's an experience unlike any other.  Include a stop at Nez Perce National Historical Park visitors center which contains exhibits about Nez Perce culture. Audiovisual programs also provide native American highlights as well as area history.   www.nps.gov/nepe/planyourvisit/directions.htm  Next arrive in Clarkston where you'll experience America's deepest gorge, Hell's Canyon. Ride Beamers' jet boat down the Snake River.  Enjoy an unforgettable trip through the beautiful and rugged canyon. See ancient petroglyphs along the way. Complete the day with a box dinner on the return trip  to Spokane or save up for dinner in the city when you return.

Historic Forts, Missions and Fossil Digging (Time: 8 ½ hours)

Travel west to Fort Spokane, established in 1812 by the Pacific Fur Company on the banks of Lake Roosevelt. Then travel north up the lake, through the Spokane Indian Reservation and stop for lunch in Republic. After lunch, get hands-on at the Stonerose Interpretive Center, a place where impressions of plants, insects and fish that lived millions of years ago can be found in the rocks. The organisms found at Stonerose lived nearly 50 million years ago, in a time known as Eocene Epoch. You will be provided with a hammer and cold chisel to split the rocks. Your last stop is St. Paul's Mission, built in 1837 by the Catholic Missionaries. After a tour of the Mission, return to Spokane. This is a seasonal option.

Options to add to these trips:

• In July attend the Julyamsh Coeur d'Alene Tribal Encampment and Pow Wow http://www.cdacasino.com/
• The Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture www.northwestmuseum.org/. The American Indian Collection represents culture groups from throughout the Americas. One of the pre-eminent collections of Plateau material culture in the United States augmented by 10,000 photographic images of Plateau Indian culture. Also included are works by living American Indian artists and artisans of the Plateau.