The stone of the patio has been polished smooth. At first glance the polished stone floor seems to be plain speckled stone, laid with subtle variations in shades and grain. Under the glow of moonlight, however, the stone floor flashes to life, an ever-changing picture of dancing moonlit waves beneath the harvest moon. The stone benches and tables set around around the perimeter of the floor seem to float on waves, as do the feet of anyone out on the floor.
The stone feels pleasantly warm beneath bare feet in the cool night air. Flickering candles in the stone lanterns set on each tables and on pillars around the edge of the patio cast shadow-islands upon which the moonlit waves lap. Waves murmuring soothingly against the beach in the distance help perpetuate the illusion, and the faint smell of lotus and apple blossoms tickle the senses. The full harvest moon bathes the lodge and lake in gentle light, fully bright enough to read by.
Off to the south, accessible from the beach, you can see what appears to be
a beachside gazebo made of living trees, grown with interlocking branches.
French doors to the north leading back inside the lodge, and beneath an arch
to the south, a cobblestone path leads towards the lake. A narrow walk leads to
the west around the corner of the lodge.