Cincinnati native beats the Phoenix heat

PHOENIX- It may be blistering hot outside with temperatures hovering around 110 degrees, but Phoenix resident Vince Gumo feels lucky. Managing three different jobs, Gumo spends most of his workdays inside a hotel or an air-conditioned SUV driving for Desert Sedan Transportation Service.

At a shaded bus stop downtown, locals are reminded of the heat and sweltering sun.  

The native of Cincinnati has lived here 14 years and says, “Everybody always ask me if you ever get used to it, but no I don’t get used to it. You can’t get used to this heat.”

His mantra for visitors trying to beat the heat: "Drink lots and lots of water."

Gumo said people should also stay in the shade as much as possible, stay covered up to protect their skin, and: "Drink lots and lots of water."

Gumo freezes his daily supply of water bottles, and sometimes keeps a cool wet towel wrapped around his neck. “I normally freeze a couple bottles of water in the freezer because I mean being here in the summer when it’s 110 degrees you know they’re going to melt very quickly.”

It may seem strange keeping covered up when it’s hot, but Gumo says it is necessary. “It sounds uncomfortable, but it’s probably the best thing,” he said.

His children spend much of their free time in the pool. But even then, he warns you can get dehydrated. Just because you’re wet on the outside, doesn’t mean you don’t need lots and lots of water, he said.

He doesn't think he has any room to complain about the heat. Construction crews, road workers, landscapers and others who work outside have a right to complain, Gumo said.­­­­­­

“Most of my job is spend inside a building,” Gumo said. “I consider myself lucky.” 

By Bobby Oliver, Jerry Miller, and Corie Shields