Not far from where I live, I have a beautiful park that I tend to visit almost every day in the summer. It's a goregous lake with a wide 2.6 mile trail that circles it.  It's perfect in so many ways. Small enough to be able to walk around in an hour, but big enough to offer a variety of beautiful spots to play, swim, layout, find solitude or just soak in the peace of being outside.

This amazing wonderful place is called Lake Padden

Generally, I'll run around the lake to get my exercise for the day, but today I felt more like taking a walk around it while listening to a good book. So come along with me if you'd like.

I started at the main beach area. There's a beautiful open grassy spot that offers a great place to throw a towel down and enjoy some sun, swimming or people watching.

![IMG_3367.JPG](https://steemitimages.com/DQmYw7mbWdyP17MWAWrnitvHNPJTdSMQ9Uk9JXcYvQ7wetB/IMG_3367.JPG)

You can find some great shady spots if you want to stay cool and the water is always there for a refreshing dip if you get to hot. I love laying out in the sun until I'm baking then jumping in to cool down before I lay out some more.

![IMG_3362.JPG](https://steemitimages.com/DQmPhLL6s8EMnLoto12mLr1Ajk9G1177AEAZofNiTvVx5cj/IMG_3362.JPG)

Today is not one of those days though, so on we go to kick off our walk. As we start down the trail, there's a little tent that rents out kayaks and paddle boards if you prefer to explore the lake on water instead of foot. There are no motors allowed on the lake so it stays very clean and quiet.

![IMG_3368.JPG](https://steemitimages.com/DQmdSJyudH3Yxk7LHHxS6Dja12E9WeNbppmD217CJEdcZrJ/IMG_3368.JPG)

Continuing on down the trail there are many little secluded side trails where you can take yourself off the beaten path for awhile to enjoy the water, the view or both.

![IMG_3371.JPG](https://steemitimages.com/DQmfLhTNS58ZDPt6w2SjLhB1KmQram3mXpybHMU4pGNWdpb/IMG_3371.JPG)

The sunny side of the trail is covered in blackberry bushes. The Himalayan blackberries are invasive in this area but the berries are fully ripe this time of year and make for a great snack.

![IMG_3375.JPG](https://steemitimages.com/DQmTgdEpxsjuge3VNRtBNMD4KrwTCMmjxzRsBTkgAER73wz/IMG_3375.JPG)

A little farther we come to one of my favorite spots to just sit and enjoy. The rocks provide a great place to sit and soak in the area.

![IMG_3379.JPG](https://steemitimages.com/DQmS7McTEZZe5Zou91wZbc63b7BjygpHrkvor7NoAYNUC1e/IMG_3379.JPG)

Continuing on, we're still only getting started. The trail on this side of the lake is sunnier than the otherside and has quite a few spots along the way to sit and take in the views, or get to the water. You can see that the trail is plenty wide and well taken care of.

![IMG_3382.JPG](https://steemitimages.com/DQmbEgs9xBHrhsnbhcV5VE2yAhZbn2FkWbb5b1HrYt8u9G2/IMG_3382.JPG)

Bench with a view anyone?

![IMG_3383.JPG](https://steemitimages.com/DQmRFxrqEVECGFwMWjHvRWM2UvbvTg4qRf4Woy7hwJ5UQUw/IMG_3383.JPG)

We've now just made it a little ways down the trail. Here's a shot looking back to where we came from. The main beach is the grassy area in the left middle part of the shot and the trail we've been walking down is on the right.

![IMG_3385.JPG](https://steemitimages.com/DQmZyBoBWUwKoTZVVGq9vhiEr5kJY1eeSbffFJenV3dST37/IMG_3385.JPG)

As we keep strolling, we soon come upon the only boat launch for the lake. There's usually a steady stream of small sail boats and other watercraft moving in and out.

![IMG_3387.JPG](https://steemitimages.com/DQmUcfsR37Y7S3DDjjrx3GbNjaeLqFZnDrmae3ng2yrGmvt/IMG_3387.JPG)

Moving on down, here's another shot looking back at where we started. You can see the trees in the sun and now more of the darker thicker forest taking up the left side of the shot. We'll be making our way there shortly.

![IMG_3390.JPG](https://steemitimages.com/DQmeeYAidZHuntnBPC4praRabpqx1Th2BZYJc7n2TPDRbLh/IMG_3390.JPG)

Coming up next, we hit a little fishing dock. It's another nice quiet spot with a few and always a few fish stories if you want to hear em.

![IMG_3392.JPG](https://steemitimages.com/DQmQg1izjTRsgSCfAX2t6mQ4jSM7GFMKTET6Ud5w3NyjVHD/IMG_3392.JPG)

We've been walking along the north part of the lake and we're now getting close to the end of the east side. As we continue on the path we come out of the woods and cross a little wooden bridge that opens up to a grassy area setup for picnics and hanging out.

![IMG_3394.JPG](https://steemitimages.com/DQmYnb6Sg7Y1urfiKoceHQwhTyQEHkFxnw9ub6PeHJ25dnx/IMG_3394.JPG)

Moving along, we arrive at the east end of the lake. There's a huge open area that includes a playground, basketball courts, pavilions, water access, and fields. Those also a dog park close by always plenty of sun. The grass is brown this time of year, but earlier in the season it's a beautiful green.

![IMG_3397.JPG](https://steemitimages.com/DQmTs5rAE1sSS3kDPrF8DJBLu4ecehsbjeaYQ31sFjm5NPm/IMG_3397.JPG)

...and of course there are many more spots to enjoy the view.

![IMG_3398.JPG](https://steemitimages.com/DQmWoRNhbmUWwvBuhhTVaTUJaMpJt1aeEtYMAWY4XdHDNvz/IMG_3398.JPG)

We'll continue on down the trail, past the fields and start our way back. The south part of the trail is the opposite of the north side. Where the north side is flat and has quite a bit of son and water access, the south side is a beautiful forest that has more varied terrain.

![IMG_3401.JPG](https://steemitimages.com/DQmUWV2poRckZ2oCbQDi7jKBVHtyM5kdNkJ8gdKch1RaK2x/IMG_3401.JPG)

As the season turns, this stretch of the trail becomes a beautiful canvas of colored leaves and quiet.

![IMG_3402.JPG](https://steemitimages.com/DQmW1e2mBCz1zg2ttn5cDGfFNefuyNxnJFWw6ve4kj6qQ37/IMG_3402.JPG)

Rounding the corner and heading back to the west side of the lake the trail meanders through some impressive trees. Lots of ferns under foot and I always love how the light breaks though in places.

![IMG_3405.JPG](https://steemitimages.com/DQmPnoxXb9b1jRsTfHZZSD7rUMmuftsse2pTUE8ataYxjnt/IMG_3405.JPG)

There are a lot of evergreens along the trail but in the peak of summer you'll find and incredible array of bright green leaves filtering the sun through them. This shot doesn't really do it justice, but I love to look up and see the colors and the light.

![IMG_3407.JPG](https://steemitimages.com/DQmSePRJ92NgPY5CJpi1aBVMwGWSbwg8R6ETrBn5FCzBVPe/IMG_3407.JPG)

We're now directly across from the main beach area that we started out at. 

![IMG_3408.JPG](https://steemitimages.com/DQmfC63awh4Nk1egPbq4CSvUcVwXYCSaEi9Yt8ZBgkMh5sT/IMG_3408.JPG)

We still have some more trail to wander through and enjoy though.

![IMG_3409.JPG](https://steemitimages.com/DQmbPgd694WfnC3wye9MAS4TedYzbnsg8cFeSeS4XHXZCY3/IMG_3409.JPG)

Coming out of the woods, we arrive at the west side of the lake, we've almost made it all the way around.

![IMG_3413.JPG](https://steemitimages.com/DQmRZERrh7DKSCG8Je929XCBQgps31o9TSxB5nGBc2TdRoC/IMG_3413.JPG)

Still more spots to sit and enjoy.

![IMG_3414.JPG](https://steemitimages.com/DQmbiC8NUq6koYXNXcjoJ1Eu5QtcSDo1LK1udzEbDQmzGHK/IMG_3414.JPG)

and that's a wrap!

![IMG_3416.JPG](https://steemitimages.com/DQmUefSVmfuVynAXLVamuT2aPZojQMcthe3TjcAkQYufCAw/IMG_3416.JPG)

I feel so fortunate to have such a beautiful place so close. I've spent so many hours and days in so many ways just enjoying what it has to offer. 

There's more than just the natural beauty though, the place creates smiles.

There's always children playing, friends chatting, pets walking, family connecting and just all around fun times. The place never fails to lift my spirits and provide the simplest of enjoys in a variety of ways.

Hopefully you have a place like this somewhere close that you use to recharge as well. If not, come visit sometime and I'll be happy to share!