Kicked-Up Split Peas Soup with Bacon and Crabmeat

KICKED UP SPLIT PEA SOUP WITH BACON AND CRABMEAT8 thick slices, hickory smoked bacon strips, chopped2 medium Vidalia onions, chopped3 medium carrots, chopped3 celery ribs, chopped2 (16-oz.) pkg. dried green split peas, rinsed1 lb. smoked ham hocks2 bay leaves4 (26-oz.)…