52 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {due west} If you’re seeking to liberate yourself from the Silicon Valley grind, a lakeside hike is a splendid way to reset. Among the many scenic trails the Peninsula has to offer, a handful of routes curve alongside bodies of gently lapping water. So step away from it all for a quiet moment with nature. Watch a duck bobbing for pondweed or a dragonfly zipping through an obstacle course of reeds. Help youngsters hunt for tadpoles. Get lost in the rippling reflections of clouds and sky. Take a moment to breathe before returning to the bustle. For a refreshing change of scenery close to home, give one of these picturesque spots a try. PHOTOGRAPHY: COURTESY OF ALLAN HACK OUTDOORS lakeside hikes words by JOHANNA HARLOW Rent a paddleboat or paddleboard and you can join the ducks and geese out on the water. For those who’d rather view this bustling lake from the sidelines, pick out a bench and soak up the views. Keep in mind that there’s not much shade to help you avoid the noonday heat. shorelinelake.com + 3160 N. Shoreline Boulevard, Mountain View + Paved and dirt trails + Plenty of parking + No dogs allowed Shoreline Lake Trail MOUNTAIN VIEW For a relaxed mile-long route, take a leisurely stroll along the north side of Shoreline Lake before looping back around by way of the Bay Trail. The second half of this trail will take you along the slough, a favorite place for birdwatchers seeking to spot skimmers (black and white birds with funky beaks that look kind of like lobster claws). When you’re done, grab a bite to eat at the lakeside café or spread out a picnic lunch on the lawn.
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