Editor’s Note: In this week’s edition of The News Courier’s Staycation Series, intern Rebecca Croomes invites readers to explore a small town.

One of the best ways to spend your staycation is to jump in the car and go for a drive.

The idea here is to not drive far away — considering how expensive gas is — but to drive somewhere you haven’t been before. It could be one of the places you’ve always heard about, but never actually visited, or a place you’ve been a long time ago, but never found your way back to in the hustle of life. I’m talking about a road trip!

On Saturday, July 2, my family and I made our way to Pulaski, Tenn. My mother’s parents lived in the area since their childhoods and now make the trip from Athens to Pulaski at least once a week to check on their plumbing and electrical supply business there. Every now and then we’ll tag along for the trip and each time we go, it’s a welcome break from the everyday.

Crops on hillsides and trees hanging over the narrow, winding road offer more to excite the imagination when they aren’t zipping past at 70 mph. Little homesteads and historic churches pop out of the lush scenery as you drive through little villages like Minor Hill and Leggtown, making for endless photo opportunities.

In downtown Pulaski there are lots of things to see and do. Popular clothing brands and shoes are sold at The Outlook department store where service is welcoming and friendly. Go two doors down and visit Reeves Drug Store to get hand-dipped ice cream at an original soda fountain.

Pulaski is home to Martin Methodist College. The sprawling hilltop campus offers the community a one-screen movie theater often playing the latest family friendly releases.

Going for a simple walk is a great way to take in the charm. There are several antebellum buildings, a pre-Civil War cemetery, a historic walking trail and a Victorian home turned coffee shop that make perfect spots for a well-needed respite. Even for a simple getaway a local bed and breakfast can easily suffice.

One thing you’ll notice downtown are several giant, elaborately painted turkey statues. These commemorative birds pay homage to the annual governor’s turkey shoot, started early in the town’s history. According to a local, turkey shoots are the most popular attraction in the autumn.

You can reach Pulaski by one of two ways: you can either drive north on Interstate 65, which is quick and boring, or you can slow down and ride the scenic route, take Alabama 99 until it becomes Tenn. 166/Bethel Road, which is more fun. On a trip like this, it is more important to throw away the schedule and just explore.