Winter & It's Challenges

So this winter came quick as sometimes winter does sneak up on us.  We recently got into a new home in a higher elevation and knew that winter at our home would also include snow.  I was sure top make sure we had prepared for winter by making sure we had some extra food on hand, extra firewood for the wood stove, extra gas for the generator, and made sure our vehicles were up to date on their maintence.


When the first snow came we were a bit excited.  It came late, after late February. It wasn't until the second snow storm that we were for sure going to need a 4 wheel drive vehicle.  We solved this with buying a older Toyota 4Runner that was 4 wheel drive.  I however found that I was still going to need chains for the 4Runner as we had gotten about four feet of snow, plus there are no snow plows that run in our area.


So aside from the vehicle challenges I unfortunately got sick with a horrible cold that kept me home from work for four days.  I however thing I got this cold from my work environment, as I work in a hospital and am around sick people in the emergency department almost daily. 


It seams that no matter what you do eventually during cold and flu season your going to get sick.  After many evenings and days of rest, and lots of medicine and fluids I got feeling better and back to normal.


Then it's back to making sure things are staying stocked up for the rest of the winter.  Preparations for the winter are good, however you have to stay there is a level of up keep that goes along with those preparations.


So before you jump into living in the snow for the first time, know a few things such as the following.


- Know how much snow you get in a average winter
- Make sure that if you need to have a 4 wheel drive vehicle you either have one, or plan to get one
- Keep extra food on hand, caned food, and drinking water
- Have a plan for power outages (including using generator if needed)
- Have a good first aid kit
- Have extra medicine on hand (Especially if you or someone in your house hold is prone to or has a illness)
- Have a evacuation route planned incase you need to evacuate
- Know your local emergency resources, (i.e. nearest hospital, fire station, police department, and   how to contact them.)


Some of these things may sound a bit much, however I think it would be better to have them and not need them, then to need them and not have them.


I hope you have a good winter and stay warm and safe :)