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Well... That Wasn't a Great Start to Beach Season

CHICAGO — Beach season got started on the wrong foot this year, Chicago residents who ventured to the sands of Lake Michigan Friday afternoon agreed.

There weren't many sun bathers, there weren't any skimpy bathing suits showing off those hard-earned beach bodies and, to be honest, there weren't many people. But stubborn beachgoers still managed to have some fun in the sun Friday.

"It's a little chilly, but we managed to take advantage of the sun," said Adrianna Gutierrez, who was visiting North Avenue Beach with her cousin from Argentina.

"It was good enough for the first time. We could've enjoyed the weather a little more, but it was okay," said Gutierrez, of Oak Park, adding the weather made them leave after only about an hour at the beach.


An abandoned sand castle at North Avenue Beach Friday. [DNAinfo/Josh McGhee]

Adnan Baleh, 26, of the Gold Coast, came to North Avenue with a couple of his friends from Spain and Italy, hoping to show off their spikes and digs in the sun, but were disappointed.

"We came to play some volleyball, but the nets aren't up. Maybe we'll check out Oak Street beach later," he said.

"It's a little cold, but if you stay in the sun and don't move, it's cool. You have to take advantage, it doesn't last long," Baleh added.


Adnan Baleh, 26, takes in the sun with his friends at North Avenue Beach Friday. [DNAinfo/Josh McGhee]

Sam Von Hoene made Friday her second consecutive day at the beach, trying to squeeze in as many chapters of "Orange is the New Black" as she can at Montrose Beach before she begins her new job next month.

"I came to read. I've been here since 1 [p.m.] and it's kind of cold," said Von Hoene, 21, preparing to head back to her home in Ravenswood.

"I got to the end of the chapter and I was just chilling to let my feet dry off," she said with her bare feet in the wet sand, clutching her jacket to shield her from the wind as she looked over the fence at the dog beach.

"I like to chill next to the dog park because I don't have a dog and I can live vicariously through them," she said. "But the water is really my happy place. I'll be here as often as I can."


Sam Von Hoene enjoyed Montrose Beach despite the chilly weather Friday. [DNAinfo/Josh McGhee]

The South Side wasn't much better for beachgoers. When asked how the day was going at 31st Street Beach, Elizabeth, who declined to give her last name, laughed.

The beach was practically abandoned, save for a few lifeguards dressed in jackets over hoodies and breakaway pants.

"That's a joke," said the Uptown resident during her lunch break.

"But I am enjoying the beach. I was here three weeks ago and it was much warmer. I was even in the water, but today is much to cold," she said with her shoes kicked off and bare toes in the sand.


One woman took her shoes off at 31st Street Beach during her lunch break. [DNAinfo/Josh McGhee]


Lifeguards were wrapped up in hoodies and jackets for the first day of beach season. [DNAinfo/Josh McGhee]

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