I'm not sure where the summer has gone, but I ain't gonna let go of this weather yet! This summer I did a poll on Instagram of what you guys wanted to see and you picked 'Lakes & Trails!' Am I surprised? No. So, I collected my favorite lakes and trails in Omaha and wrapped them up in a guide for ya. Let's jump into it!

I love making it out to Mahoney & Platte River State Park, but sometimes I don't want to drive 20 minutes out of town. Twin Creek Trailhead is one of my favorite trails in Omaha! It is extremely safe, close to the Bellevue Berry Farm, and is super charming nestled against Papillion Creek.

This is trail reminds me of my small little hometown. While walking, you will see rolling hills, cornfields, steel rail bridges, and a glimpse of Bellevue. There are multiple spots to park along the trail, but the main parking lot is behind Culver's on 36th & Raynor Parkway. You could spend hours walking this trail, plus there are gorgeous neighborhoods nearby you can wander off to.

I love a good sunset at Lake Zorinsky. The trail is close to the water and it is in West Omaha, so I feel comfortable walking solo! This is another great option if you're looking for an evening walk, but not wanting to travel far.

Zorinsky has a pool & splash pad too! Prices are pretty affordable, 3-17 year old's are $5 and $6 for adults. I'd like to take my son, Trax, sometime. The pool looks super lowkey and relaxing!

Lake Manawa's Dream Land Park is probably one of Trax's favorite parks. Lately, he's been saying "let's go to the big park!" He means Manawa. It is magical, extra clean, and full of fun things to play with. The park is primarily made out of wood and that makes it feel even more like a fairytale book!

There is seating all around the park and it is fairly enclosed, so it's not easy for the little ones to run off. This park is adjacent to the beach access at Manawa. The daily park entry fee is only required for non residents of Iowa, which is $5!

TIP: I would not visit Lake Manawa for walking, we didn't seem to find many trails around the lake. I have swam here before, but not recently. I've seen a couple mamas post about reactions their kids are having after swimming in the water. So, please be careful and keep an eye on toxin levels before heading to this lake!

Lake Cunningham is a pretty lake northwest of Omaha. It is the perfect lake for laying out and for kayaking! Swimming is not allowed here, but that doesn't affect this gem of a place. Kayaks can be rented for $25 for two hours, which would be the cutest weekend date idea ever. They also rent out paddle boards and offer water yoga classes. Their rental shop recommends booking your boat rental 24-48 hours in advance.

I would recommend going with a friend, just to be safe. Recently, someone's car was stolen here, so please keep that in mind!​ However, I didn't feel unsafe or uncomfortable when I went a couple summers ago.
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Rent a kayak or board - https://neighborhoodoffshore.com/rentals

I used to say I would swim at Lake Manawa hands down, but the E.Coli scares lately have made me rethink that. That being said, we have swam at Branched Oak for years and have never felt sick or had a bad reaction! This lake is outside of Lincoln, in Raymond, Nebraska, but is definitely still worth the drive!

They have an awesome spacious sand beach and it's often pretty clean! We love spending the day here and it's not a bad deal to get in. $6 daily permit for residents of Nebraska and $12 for out-of-state vehicles. 

TIP: Get the Country Fried Steak at Ding-A-Ling Bar & Grill in Raymond after a long day of swimming. They have some killer food. This place is just a short drive from the lake too!

I visited Platte River State Park a lot when I was in college. It was so fun to climb their lookout tower, get some sun on the dock, and see the Platte River at sunset. Their also known for their waterfall, splash zone, and hiking trails lined with beautiful trees!

Daily permits are $6 and non-resident of Nebraska are $12 again. They have teepees to sleep in, cabins, and glamping cabins that range from $20 per night - $185. I would love to spend an entire weekend here sometime to explore every part of the park, because I know I have not seen it all! 

TIP: Louisville State Recreation Area is also nearby, which has giant inflatables in the lake and plenty of room to lounge on the sand. 

I totally thought I'd write this post in like two hours...I was wrong. It took me multiple weekends, lol. I just kept finding little gems in my photo gallery! I hope this guide helps you plan your last couple weekends of summer. It's not too late to kayak, have a Saturday swim, or hike some gorgeous trails!

​Now, I better go, Trax is pointing at the Manawa park saying, "Go after nap?" Told you it's cool. Alright, see you in September with another post! :)

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I recently hit my one year anniversary at the nonprofit I work at in Omaha. I wear a couple hats there, doing photography, website design, and marketing. Lately, I've thought a lot about how I got here and it's a sweet, sweet feeling knowing I'm walking in the life God designed for me. I thought today we could talk about some indicators of being on the path God designed you for...

The nonprofit I work at serves those experiencing homelessness. I do not believe you have to work at a church or a nonprofit to step into the life God wanted for you. I do, however, believe these pieces separately are important to connect with Jesus and care for His people. 

If your day-to-day responsibilities are rooted in scripture, this is an indicator you're heading in the right direction. For instance, let's say I create a social media post promoting a volunteer opportunity. This can be classified as helping fulfill a volunteer need in order to offer quality services to the people we serve.

He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets prisoners free, the Lord gives sight to the blind, the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down, the Lord loves the righteous. The Lord watches over the foreigner, and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked. 
Psalm 146:7-9

I started teaching myself in high school how to build a website and better my photography. Now, as I do these items daily at work, time flies fast because I taught myself these things young and I have so much passion for them. God knows my heart and I do believe he has jobs for us that we can look forward to, if we let him take the wheel.

Thanks y'all for stopping by. I hope these ideas help you to figure out if you've been stepping into the life God has written for you or if you're stuck along the way and need a push to return to the path He made for you.

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