What a HOT week!


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This past week, we’ve seen some incredibly hot and humid weather.  My sister got married on Saturday and family flew and drove in to the Milwaukee, WI area to celebrate.  The gift opening was on Sunday at my parents house.  At one point, there were 44 people in the house.  It was sooo hot that nobody would venture outside for more than a couple of minutes.  Monday’s weather was just as caustic outside. 

We drove back home to Saint Paul on Tuesday and got back just in time for my softball game.  At gametime, the heat index was almost 120 degrees!

Photo Courtesy of NWS

Photo Courtesy of NWS

This begs the question — How do you stay cool when it is soo hot?  Normally, I bring plenty of ice water and I wear a moisture-wicking shirt under my jersey.  We didn’t think that would be enough.  Liz offered up the idea of taking a cooler full of ice with some towels in it.  This was genious!  Between innings, I put the cold, and at this point wet, towels on my head or around my neck.  It made a huge difference.  After a few minutes with the towel, I felt refreshed and reenergized.
 
What tricks to you have to stay cool in the heat of summer?  Please share below!
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Gallery

Campfire Chicken Nachos

This gallery contains 5 photos.


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Campfire Chicken Nachos make a great appetizer before a meal or a snack during a bonfire.  We just ate them for lunch.  This recipe is easy to increase or decrease depending on the number of people eating. Ingredients: Tortilla Chips … Continue reading

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Kenny Chesney – I Go Back


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Willow River State Park Review


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Willow River State Park is a 2,891 acre park located near Hudson, WI.  It is best known for Willow Falls, a multi-level waterfall in a 200 foot deep gorge.

Willow Falls

Willow Falls is a pretty impressive multi-level waterfall that attracts photographers, rock climbers, vacationers, and people looking to cool off on a hot day.  It is one of the few waterfalls with full access to the water.  People wade in all levels of the waterfall or tan themselves on the rocks below.

Willow Falls at Willow River State Park

Willow Falls at Willow River State Park

 

People wading in the falls

People wading in the falls

Lower Willow Falls

Lower Willow Falls

 

Campgrounds

There are 3 campgrounds within Willow River State Park, with each getting progressively more wooded. 

The 100 Loop Campground is mostly open prairie with a few trees here and there.  It is well suited to large RV’s and campers.  This campground is the closest to the park entrance and office.

The 200 Loop Campground is slightly more wooded and is suited to RV’s, campers, and if you don’t mind frying in the morning sunlight, tents.

The 300 Loop Campground is the oldest and is quite heavily wooded.  The sites are generally separated by 20-40 feet of trees and thicket.  The Willow Falls trailhead is located in this loop near site 312.  This campground is the closest to the boat launch, swimming beach, and picnic area.

300 Loop Campground

300 Loop Campground

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Gallery

Quick and Easy Smores Pancakes

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Try these quick and easy Smores Pancakes for a tasty breakfast whether you are at home or camping. Ingredients: Pancake Mix, prepared per directions (or your favorite pancake recipe) Chocolate chips (we used broken up Hershey bars) Mini marshmallows   Coulda, … Continue reading

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