I got back yesterday from a whirlwind trip around the South, plus a little of the midwest.  I left Knoxville, TN on Wednesday around 10am EST headed toward Nashville, TN.  After a quick detour to get my favorite sandwich, I headed toward Clarksville, TN, then up to Paducah, KY.  Thanks to my love for sweet tea, I had to stop more than the average trip, but it was a really nice drive, minus the snow between Knoxville and Nashville.  For those of you that have never driven through western Kentucky, it gets pretty rural once you’re off the interstate.  The highway I take actually goes through a seemingly abandoned town.  

Typically, as you leave Kentucky and cross the Ohio River, you enter Illinois for literally less than 1/10 a mile before turning and crossing the Mississippi River to enter Missouri.  But, thanks to the excessive flooding earlier this year, the levee road I usually take was destroyed in an effort to save a town and I was diverted further up into Illinois, through Cairo.  I finally making it to Sikeston, MO to surprise visit my maternal grandparents and spend a day with them.  The next evening, I drive home to Memphis for some sleep before going down to Potts Camp, MS to visit Tess and the rest of my dad’s side of the family. The last couple days at home I split between Memphis and West Memphis, AR to visit one of my best friends that moved across the river to pursue a career as a cop.  

That’s right, 6 states in 4 days.  But it was worth it.  I got to see my family that I never get to see, saw some beautiful scenery, and even saw a good friend form high school tie the knot while I was home. All in all, it was a great trip and one I wish I could make more often.