July 17, 2006

With temperatures in the mid to upper 90's and a heat index much higher, people all around the area were trying to beat the heat.

"It's pretty bad heat," said Russ Dinsmore.

"Very hot, very wet," said Monique Boatwright.

There's no getting around it, the heat was on in Charlottesville. Blazing sunshine combined with high humidity forced many inside, leaving McIntire Park a virtual ghost town. Base paths and dugouts that would normally be clattering with young feet went untouched. But still, others forged on.

"We play in any kind of weather. If the course is open we're playing," said Dinsmore.

Dinsmore and his group of 40 golfers braved the elements at Meadowcreek Golf Course, squeezing in 18 holes. While they played the course, Phillip Seay decided putting was taxing enough.

"This is the end of the day for me so as you noticed I am in the shade. It gives me a chance to unwind and reflect on the day," he said.

"We're this hot at home too, and so we could sit around and mope or we could just come out and this is what we do every Monday," Boatwright said.

Boatwright decided enough was enough. Armed with jugs of water, she and her kids hit the playground. When the heat began to get to her, she looked to the little ones to keep her going.

"They mention it a little bit--they [say] 'Oh I'm hot.' Then they go play, and so, it's a little inspiring," she said.

When it came right down to it, some Mall goers decided minimizing movement works best.

"[We are] trying to stay indoors as much as possible in the cool air-conditioning. We are also kind of moving slowly," said J. Kelsey.

As always, if you can avoid being outside, do so. If you need to be outside, wear light clothing and drink plenty of fluids.