Beginner Gardening: garden path materials, 1 by Mentor2

Mentor2 wrote:
My new (2-3 years old) full afternoon sun, morning shade- perennial garden is approx. 25 X 30. Its nothing formal- just plants that we saw and liked, got from friends and relatives, etc. I want to put in a path, but not sure what to use. First of all it has to be barefoot friendly- easy and relatively inexpensive (free is always good), and I'd like to get it down this next few weeks. I use some cyprus mulch around some of the plants, and for now I am just keep weeding and raking it off. The bare earth is great for barefeet- but not very attractive. I know as the garden matures the path will narrow, but... would like something to look nice, and be able to walk on even in wet weather. Thought about grass, but I don't want to have to mow. Thought about hardwood mulch, but don't think it will be barefoot friendly. Any suggestions?
Thanks,