Viewfinder: Locals Say Heat 'Sucks,' Beach Rocks

Despite a triple digit heat index, many locals chose to hit the beach instead of huddling around their air conditioning units Thursday afternoon.

Hundreds flocked to beach to enjoy the hot, sunny day by swimming in the lake, playing in the sand, starting games of volleyball and trying to keep track of giddy, wandering children.

East Point resident Randy Auchmuy, 35, spent part of the day enjoying the beach, though he wasn't very happy when he first woke up to temperatures in the mid 80s.

"It sucked," Auchmuty said. "I thought, it's really hot."

But instead of staying inside all day, he took his daughter, 2-year-old Ariana Auchmuty, and 27-year-old Lori Natter to beach.

"It is nice and clean," Natter said. "It's expensive, but it is more family oriented."

Vehicle admission to the Beach is $5 for residents and $10 for non-residents; pedestrians and cyclists are admitted for free.