Angie’s friend of nearly 30 years, Carri, just built a house here. Those two met on the USS Abraham Lincoln where they were among the first women to be deployed after the combat exclusion was lifted. They have been great friends ever since.

Founded in 1839, Prattville is known for its artesian wells and for being the birthplace of industry in Alabama. The Prattville Mill was a massive cotton gin that was powered by Autauga Creek. Today the downtown has been restored and gentrified. It features boutiques and restaurants, parks along the banks of the creek and the lake behind the dam. There is a covered stage and gathering place where we enjoyed some live music on a Tuesday night.

Charlie found relief from the heat with a swim in the shallow, red-clay creek. The girls waded 200 yards upstream from Charlie’s beach to the foot of dam. We enjoyed spending some time with Carri’s parents, John and Debbie, who live five miles away. We also got to visit with her niece, Haley, who is also Carri’s roommate, and Haley’s friend, Austin.

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