Garden Pathways

I live in paradise. I live in a place often referred to as a "destination resort". I live 60 minutes from Chicago in a Wisconsin town called Lake Geneva which resides on the beautiful 5,000-acre lake called Geneva Lake. It is beyond gorgeous here. Best yet, it includes 28 miles of shoreline access - for FREE! The people are even better than the lake views. Remember, it is the lake views are that draw everyone here. Multimillion-dollar houses occupy every inch of the shoreline. I moved to Lake Geneva after spending a few weekends with my golden retrievers trekking along the free lakefront path. Journey with me as we explore together the many life lessons from the lakefront pathway, complete with fabulous garden design ideas.

The mega-mansions are extraordinary and the lake itself is simply a miracle. Along the 5,000 acres, beautiful waters of Geneva Lake sits the town of Lake Geneva and also some mega-mansion including one that is dedicated to the pathway - Expect a Miracle Mansion. This portion of the pathway is exquisite. It is designed to be visited. It has a small sitting area and even a notebook for you to chronicle your visit and yes, the owner does read this book and yes, the owner is beautiful and very real.

While I recommend the walk, I wanted to share with you some of my photos. The walkway is ready for any season. Wear good walking shoes. I like a leisurely stroll with my ice cream or coffee but for the more athletic, kick it up a couple of speeds but keep your eyes on the view - the most spectacular on both sides - one side is mega mansions the other side is the natural blue waters of the lake called "Geneva Lake".

The pathway is a number one priority but IF you have time, the stores downtown are wonderful and a must see during the holiday season. So summer or winter, put on your most comfortable walking shoes and join the fun along the pathway of one the world's most beautiful and accessible lakefronts.

Map Chicago to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin

Destination Resort Lakefront Pathways

Adirondack Chair or Muskoka Chair

An Adirondack chair or Muskoka chair is a type of chair favored in rural, outdoor settings. The precursor to today's Adirondack chair was designed by Thomas Lee in 1903. He was on vacation in Westport, New York, in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains, and needed outdoor chairs for his summer home. He tested the first designs on his family.

Adirondack Chair - Lakefront Delight

Various Pathways Along Geneva Lake Wisconsin

The Journey is the Reward

A young man of 15 drowned in a swimming accident. You perhaps have heard my story before on my article about swimming safety.

The philosophy of the beautiful young and accomplished athlete was The Journey is the Reward. So very, very true. Yet we are always looking at the details and not the many opportunities.

The Pathway is Similar to Our Lives

My favorite past time is hiking the free lakefront pathway. After shooting a couple of hundred of photos, I came to realize life is very similar to the lakefront pathway.

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The pathway is free as life is free and the very air that we breathe.

The pathway is sometimes wide and smoothly paved, similar to very rare moments in our lives.

The pathway is often rocky or filled with obstacles such as drainage pipes or construction. The largest obstacles are the natural ones - the massive tree roots which protrude several inches above the ground.

Interestingly, the pathway is public and yet most of the pathway is extensively paved. Walking along the path, we get accustomed to the payment and brick pathways and smooth, wide cement and extensive use of flagstone. So when the pathway is simple grass and it is wet, those areas are waterlogged and difficult to traverse.

So too, are our lives. Many times during our lifetime, we hit bumps and tree roots and very muggy spots. We persevere and pass through those chapters and segments of our lives.

The pathway has many surprises too. Such as a blue dragonfly, a monarch butterfly, or a baby beaver. These delights spring up completely unannounced and bring a broad smile to our faces and our lives.

The mansions along the lakefront are countless - dozen upon dozen, each one outdoing the other in either creativity or grandeur.

The Story Behind the Stone Manor on the Lake

The stories behind the mansions are fascinating. A small glimpse into the lives of others. Perhaps one of the largest mansions on the lake is the "Stone Manor". This story enthralls me still to this very day. It is stated to have been built by a diamond merchant at the turn of the century. It was built as a gift to his daughter. The daughter never cared for the massive structure and never even lived there! Today the property has been split into several multimillion-dollar condos and a rooftop pool has been installed. Of course, I drool when viewing that structure - I am dying for an invite to the rooftop pool. The view, the massive castle-like stone structure all fascinate me. And yes, IF I could I would go pool hopping - that would be my personal delight!

If you happen to be a multimillionaire living on Geneva Lake, there are a couple of items, you become fully aware - the stairways are extensive. The terraces are endless. A mansion demand a boat dock complete with a canopy and flowers to decorate the decking. The Adirondack chair may be named after the city in the eastern United States yet it is a staple and a must on Geneva Lake. A hammock or swing is another common amenity as well as the sun umbrellas which by the way are better if they match the architecture of your home. Matching is very chic along the lakefront.

Pathway Signs

On occasion along the path, there are signs posted to help us stay on the path. So too, in life, we will encounter signposts of where we must be and when we must be there. Most of the pathway is optional, you set the pace, you take the course, you determine what gate to challenge or walkthrough.

The forks in the road are few but confusing when encountered. Often without guidance, we must choose a road unknown. We must trust that pathway is right for us and forget forth.

U-Turns Common

U-Turns on the lakefront pathway are allowed. The pathway along Geneva Lake is 21 miles! If you start early you can circle the entire lake. It will take you more than 8 hours. Life is the same, we can continue to the end, take breaks, turn around, and try again.

Gates in Our Lives

Along our pathway in life will be many gates. Some gates are open and inviting. Some are unmarked. Some are hidden. Some are locked. Some gates shout at us to keep out. Some gates elegantly ask us not to enter.

So too, the choices in our lives. Some choices are simple, some require a special invitation and key, some are elegantly forever closed to us.

Regardless of the gate, we encounter, we must pass by the gate or seek for the door to open. The pathway we choose and where we knock and how hard we try often chooses our .....

Dreams Take One Step At A Time

As Miley Cyrus sings in Climb, there is always another struggle, another chance we are taking. We just gotta keep going. We have to be strong. Keep pushing on. There is always a mountain that we want to move, there is also a new path to explore. Life is large. The pathway is long, the variety is endless.

Whimsy In Our Lives

My whimsical fun is walking and running the pathway, Hub Pages, and my close friends. These are the delights in my life that bring me joy, peace, and happiness. All too often, we rush right past them and forget how wonderful they are. We take for granted the green of the frog's skin, the crooked white neck of that goofy bird, or the simple fun of a frog faced sandbox.

The whimsy in our lives is there, right there for the taking and the enjoyment. Take the time to uplift your soul and celebrate life bright and nonsensical delights!

The Climb - Miley Cyrus

Various Gates Along the Nature Walk

Whimsical Items Along Our Pathways

Angels Among Us

Prevailing Over the Obstacles

Along with the stairs, the rocks, the tree roots, and the whimsical events and things in our lives are angels. Sometimes, we don't see them. Oftentimes, we just feel their presence. They are there along this pathway of life helping prevail over the stairs, not trip on the tree roots and not slip on the rocks.

Life has no elevator, life demands the stairs.

What the pathway has taught me is to run and leap with joy when the pathway is clear. Go slow along the treacherous and slippery slopes, delight in the whimsy along the way, and keep a keen eye and ear to angels along our journey.

The pathway is forever changing.

The journey is the reward.

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© 2010 Ken Kline

Comments

Kelly Kline Burnett from Madison, Wisconsin on October 06, 2010:

Cassie Ann,

That hike is magical. A very special place on earth. It is a beautiful place to live!

Glad you enjoyed the photos. Take a trip this fall - our colors during autumn are spectacular - summer is fun but fall is gorgeous!

Cassie Ann on October 06, 2010:

Came across this lovely hub. I also live in Wisconsin and visit Lake Geneva often. We have hiked around the lake and it is indeed a beautiful place to live.

Loved the photos.

sweetie1 from India on July 27, 2010:

Wow lovely pics and i loved the place.. would be a great venue to get away from hustle and bustle of New Delhi where over 15 million people live

twogroce on July 17, 2010:

Walkways can be so peaceful and even romantic.

lmmartin from Alberta and Florida on July 11, 2010:

Lovely hub, GmaGoldie (my but you're prolific today)and I nice diversion while I take a break from the manuscript I'm working on. Yes, the place does look lovely and your are fortunate to live there. Your allegory of the pathway as a symbol to life is true, and a much needed reminder. Just only niggly little thing: manor by the lake, not manner. (Sorry, can't help it.) Thanks for the break. Lynda