Seattle City Light             News Release

Seattle City Light announces the return of Skagit Tours for the 2004 summer season.

This year for the first time, special Diablo Dam Good Dinner tours will be offered. They feature the world-famous original Skagit Cookhouse chicken dinner, with optional roundtrip transportation from Seattle to Skagit Tours in the North Cascades National Park.

Last year more than 5,000 visitors enjoyed the alpine beauty, admired the incredible power of falling water, discovered the romantic setting and learned about the antics of the animals native to the Upper Skagit River. The utility expects double that number of visitors this summer.

The 2.5 hour Diablo Lake Adventure Tours begin on Saturday, June 5. Skagit Tours have operated for more than 75 years, with the Diablo Lake Adventure launched in 2003. The historical tour originates in the quaint Seattle City Light "company town" of Newhalem, and focuses on the cultural and natural history of the area.

Visitors discover little-known facts about the mating habits and survival methods of the abundant local wildlife and stories about life in a company town. Some of the facts you’ll glean from the tour are:

• That eagles mate for life, after a complex mating ritual.
• Salmon navigate by sense of smell as they travel thousands of miles out to sea and back to spawn in the very location where they were born.
• Children who live in Newhalem spend three hours of their day on a school bus to and from school.

Diablo Dam Good Dinner NEW (Scenic alpine boat cruise plus dinner - 3.5 hours)

Enjoy a fully escorted tour and boat cruise plus all-you-can eat crispy-baked chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetarian spaghetti, vegetables, fruit gelatin salad, rolls and butter, beverage and home made pie ala mode.

Diablo Dam Good Dinner Tour available select dates only with optional roundtrip transportation from Seattle. Transportation cost is $40 per person in addition to Diablo Dam Good Dinner Tour base price. Contact the Skagit Tour Desk at 206 233-2709 for dates and reservations or email SkagitTours.Reservations@seattle.gov

Diablo Lake Adventure (Scenic alpine boat cruise - 2.5 hours)

On this tour pre-order an optional Skagit Picnic Lunch, $10 per adult and $5 for children. Includes Skagit Cookhouse chicken served cold with potato salad, chilled beverage, cookie, roll and butter and cloth bandanna napkin. Child lunch features choice of chicken leg or peanut butter and jelly sandwich, applesauce, fruit drink, fish crackers and a toy suitable for age 3 and older.

For more information contact www.SkagitTours.com or 206 684-3030.

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Seattle City Light

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