We have ripped our our flagstone patio/pathway and are redoing it and building to direct pathways to the lawn.

Previously we used sand as a base and mortar to hold the flagstone, which was a mistake as overtime they settled and cracked around the edges.

We've cleaned up the flagstone and now will be building new paths.

We live in Colorado (south of Denver) and the soil is clay-like.

What should we put down first? Sand or gravel?

I also wanted to fill this in with breeze this time but is this okay or are there other/better suggestions.

Thanks!