View from Steve and Marti's
After breakfast, the Goetz gang gathered and headed out for a hike. Upper and Lower Goldwater Lakes are just a few miles south of Prescott, a convenient place to stretch our legs before the big night tonight.
Upper Goldwater Lake
Peaceful cove
The Goldwater Lakes Loop Trail is an easy 2 ½-mile path circumnavigating the two lakes along their forested shores. It was a cool morning, but the intense sunshine made things more pleasant. Steve and Marti's dog, Blue, thought it was nice enough to frolic in the water. Better him than me. Brrr...
Group selfie by Patti
Goetz brothers: John, Bill, Steve and Tom (with mascot Blue)
Naturally, we'd built up a thirst on our little stroll. So leaving the lakes, we ventured over to Mark's Beer Garden. The bar had several good beers on tap, and we sat outside and enjoyed the sun. Half the gang then continued on to another brewery, but Tom and I were not among them. Like I said, big doings tonight, so we're pacing ourselves!
At 6:30, we all reconvened at Papa's Italian Restaurant in downtown Prescott for Steve and Marti's wedding dinner/reception. In addition to the eight Goetzes, Marti's cousin Michelle and her boyfriend J.D. were there, along with ten of Steve and Marti's closest friends. The restaurant did a great job serving our group of 20, despite the fact that it also happened to be prom night in Prescott. The food was great, and a good time was had by all!
Jana and Tom at the wedding dinner
The newlyweds: Marti and Stephen
The Goetzes, a bit blurry after all the wine...
Tom, Bill, Steve and John
After dinner, six of us decided to continue the celebration at Whiskey River Tavern with some live music and dancing. It was a party, after all! The newlywed couple, Bill and Patti, and Tom and I had a blast dancing to the music of 80 Proof, a lively '80s cover band. As my friend Mooney likes to say: The '80s is my jam!