Laag's got part of it (execution) and fordr has another part (compaction). The problem with "pea gravel", "river stones", or any other smooth surfaced, non-angular stone is it doesn't compact...it just slides around under your feet, tires, or anything else that's on it. I've got gravel patios and walks in my garden...have had them for 4 years now and they work like a charm. I use a mix of #78 OR #89 stone with stone dust/fines (3:1 ratio)...get 'em to mix it at the stone yard prior to delivery. Lay quality landscape fabric on the ground, then top with the gravel mix (3-4" depth). Over time, the fines and smaller gravel settle out and compact nicely. You're left with a smooth layer of walkable small gravel. It has to be topped every 3-4 years to keep it fresh. I also rake it around a couple of times a year to help control the finish grade as needed. Only other things I do is pull a few small clumps of grass every now and then and and blow the leaves in fall and pollen pods in spring. We have adirondack chairs, several tables, and old-school metal patio furniture (with small disk type feet)...don't have any issues with any of it (a couple of the tables are on wheels which are tough to roll, but that's a small price to pay). You can also use crushed brick (