Lakes, although not as dramatic as oceans with their sounds and movements, may be more scenic and downright beautiful. Because they are surrounded by land, they incorporate the background scenery, often creating a lovely picture.

   Some lakes, often those in landlocked countries or states, have become just as popular as beaches. Lakes amidst mountains are often spectacular in their beauty and attract sightseers. 

    We have been to many lakes in our travels and would like to share a virtual trip to some of the best.

     Crater Lake, in Oregon, is so incredibly beautiful that it has become a national park.

 The lake is so deep that the blue color is positively mesmerizing.

 Also in North America’s northwest, we can see some of the loveliest lakes in the world, in Banff National Park. Check out Peyto Lake, along the Icefields Parkway,

and Moraine Lake, in the Valley of the Ten Peaks,

 the ever-popular Lake Louise,

 and Bow Lake, just outside of Banff village

 Notice the unusual green-blue color of the water in these lakes of the Canadian Rockies. It is due to the presence of glacial silt.

   Also in the Northwest, in northern California, is Lassen Volcanic National Park,  which, besides the volcano, features Lake Manzanita.

Futher south, in California, is Lake Tahoe, a true four-season resort area which also features casinos.

 In Glacier National Park, Montana, St Mary’s Lake is found at one end of the picturesque Going-to-the-Sun Road.

Just north is a sister park, Waterton Lakes National Park, in Alberta, Canada.

In the desert southwest, Lake Powell National Recreation Area is extremely popular.

In the East, we have the Great Lakes, some of the largest lakes in the world. Lake Michigan makes a lovely picture beside the city of Chicago,

while Lake Ontario creates the same effect with Toronto.

Acadia National Park, in Maine, has a lovely lake, known as Jordan Pond, which sits beside the Beehives.

In New York, Lake Placid is a popular destination,  

 as is Lake George.

In Europe, one of our favorite lakes is Lugano, in the Italian-speaking southern part of Switzerland.

 England has a Lake District which attracts thousands of tourists and locals on vacation. The area includes Lake Grasmere

 and Lake Windermere, and features lovely scenery.

Of course, in Scotland the infamous Loch Ness, with its “monster.” draws tourists by the thousands who attempt to photograph or at least catch a glimpse of “Nessie.”

 Kunming Lake, in Beijing, is the setting for the Summer Palace, a huge complex and the summer resort for Chinese Emperors.

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