Chippewa Falls campers look to beat the holiday heat

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Posted: Tue 6:20 PM, Jul 03, 2012

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Reporter: Joe Nelson Email

Updated: Wed 5:18 PM, Jul 04, 2012

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Chippewa Falls campers look to beat the holiday heat

CHIPPEWA FALLS, Wisc. (WEAU) - As temperatures approach record highs in western Wisconsin, Independence Day campers are finding ways to beat the heat.

In a time where camping is often confined to air conditioned RVs and cabins, Todd Brakob and his family said the best way to enjoy the outdoors is by the fire and in a tent.

"We're always outside in the sun enjoying the weather anyhow, so it's no big deal," Brakob of Oregon, Wisconsin said.

With temps hitting the high 90s, the Brakobs and dozens of other families kept their reservations at Lake Wissota State Park in Chippewa Falls and found ways to stay cool.

"People who are in a sunnier site have asked to change sites and we do our best to move them to a shadier site, but on a busy time of year ... there's not a whole lot we can do, we do what we can," park visitor services associate Kathryn Kokkila said.

With about half of the campsites full, and all booked this weekend, Brakob, who drove more than three hours to be to come to the park, said he won't let sweat keep him from enjoying his time with family.

"We've always been an outdoors family," he said. "To take some time and just relax as a family is great."

"You can still camp, just during those hot times of the day, hang out on the beach, keep cool, be on the water," Kokkila said.

"You deal with it, it's part of living up here. It's gonna be hot and humid you know that," camper Gary Engelhart of Oconomowoc said.

"I like the weather, I think it's nice," Chippewa Falls camper Natalia George said. "We should probably use it now before it's gone."

Kokkila said the park hasn't had any heat-related emergencies and no one has cancelled reservations because of the warm weather.

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