After a trip south to see my kids, I'm home again safe and sound. My travels took me through Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, and Kentucky, covered 2600 miles, and took me near crappie hot spots like Shelbyville, Rend, Reelsfoot, Arkansas River, D'arbonne Lake. Poverty Point, Ross Barnett, Allatoona, Chickamauga, and Taylorsville. I'm sure there are more but you get the idea. I didn't get to fish as much as I wanted, going out only once, but this trip was more about family than fishing.

I got to spend some quality time with my son in Louisiana and was able to help him out with a few home improvement projects. My time in Atlanta was only a few days, but we made the most of that time, again doing some fixer upper projects, and sharing several outstanding meals. My daughter is expecting their first child, and my first grandchild, in March so seeing her in all her pregnant glory was an incredible experience. The weekend was chock full of laughs, too.

My youngest daughter opted to not take her return flight back to Michigan and instead jumped in with me for the 11 1/2 hour drive. We got home Sunday just before midnight, tired and happy to be out of the truck.

Up by 6 am this morning, unpacked and back on the job by 10. Vacation over. Already looking forward to the next trip south in February. That trip will be all fishing.