Viewfinder: Lazy Summer Days in Sammamish are Even Better When You're at Beaver Lake

In a way, it's similar to when surfers watch the ocean and realize that the waves are just right - and then, as conventional wisdom goes, they utter: "Surf's up."

Or when Mother Nature brings in a storm and downpour to Sammamish such that it's similar to standing under one huge faucet. But area skiers think: "There's probably new snow in the mountains."

So, on Monday, after the clouds had moved on and the sun was making its presence known, Sammamish residents did what many would do to cool off as the temperatures climbed into the high 70s. They went to the lake - in this case, Beaver Lake Park.

They pumped inflatable rafts in the parking lot, then clutched towels and food and walked to the water. Soaring trees provided shade.

Mothers sat and talked with one another, as kids watched the ducks or used their rafts to head out into the water. A few dogs splashed around, too.

One man even used a to get around. Other people sat on the grass - to catch some rays, as they say, and warm up or just read a book.

Sammamish Patch thought it would be a good opportunity to drop by Beaver Lake to see a slice of life and people just cooling off. In June, Sammamish Patch visited Pine Lake to see the same thing.

It's a great thing, of course, to live in relative proximity to a lake - or lakes - especially when temperatures climb, and you want to escape the house to get some fresh air and let the sun warm your skin.

Editor's note: If you have photos of summer fun in Sammamish, feel free to upload them to this feature. You first have to register your name and email address. Also, the National Weather Service is forecasting Sammamish temperatures this week in the high 70s.