Outdoors with Don Q: Ready or not, winter is sneaking up on us

This is mid-October and whether or not you are ready, be advised that winter is sneaking up on us.
As one who has lived in Carson City most of my life, I have learned through the years that one day the weather can be gorgeous and then the next day: Bam, the countryside is covered with a deep layer of snow.

And once the snow arrives, it is followed by ice and cold weather, which will normally be with us into the month of March.

If you're not prepared, you can experience all kinds of problems. So with that thought in mind, here are some suggestions on being prepared for the arrival of Old Man Winter:

Annual flowers and vegetables
With our first freeze, it will be time to pull up your annual flowers and vegetables. They will be done for the year.

Anti-freeze in vehicle radiators
Have your anti-freeze checked before it gets really cold, so as to avoid very costly radiator damages from freezing temperatures.

Emergency equipment in your vehicle
In the event you get snowbound, be sure to carry: Flares, flashlight with batteries, several blankets, small supply of water and snacks, etc.

Emergency lighting
Have a flashlight and/or 6-volt lantern light ready with batteries (plus spares) if the electricity should fail. You don't want to stumble around in the dark.

Fishing equipment
If you are done for the year, clean out your tackle box, replace flies, jars of bait, lost lures, hooks, sinkers, put new line on your reels, etc.

Flu shots
This is the time of the year to get your annual flu shot, and especially if you are one of the older generations. Don't delay, I already got mine.

Food supplies
Keep your pantry supplied with packaged, bottled and canned foods and drinks if you don't want to drive on icy or snow-covered streets.

Gas furnace
If you have a gas furnace, change the batteries in the thermostat and clean or replace the furnace filter.

Prepare your home for winter
Clean leaves out of your roof rain gutters, close air vents under your house, disconnect hoses from outside faucets, turn off lawn watering systems, etc.

Snow tires or chains
Even if you have snow tires, make sure you are carrying tire chains and a shovel. You don't want to get stuck on a snow covered road.

Store for the winter
Store in your garage or shed: Water hoses, hand sprinklers, lawn mower, lawn trimmer, patio table and chairs, yard decorations, etc.

Supplies for wood-burning or pellet burning stoves
Stock up now on fire wood or pellets for your stove. You don't want to run out of heat in the middle of a freezing night.

Winter clothing
Be ready to switch to long pants, long sleeve shirts, sweaters, hooded sweatshirts, heavy coats, boots, wool socks, gloves, wool caps, scarves, etc.

Winter sports
Prepare your downhill skis, cross country skis, snowshoes, snowmobiles, ice fishing equipment for winter activities once the deep snow arrives.

Finally
If you follow the above suggestions, you will find that you are ready for anything from a mild to a record breaking winter. It is better to be prepared than sorry. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

Bet Your Favorite Pigeon
Bet your favorite pigeon that he can't tell you what is the State Record for snow depth in Nevada.
If he grins, takes a deep breath and says, "271" inches of snow were measured, near what is now the junction of U.S. 50 and Nevada S.R. 28 west of Carson City at Spooner Station on Mar. 12-13, 1911," you lose this bet".
Yipes! That is more than 22 feet of snow!

— Don Quilici is the Outdoor editor for Carson Now. Don's wife, Elaine, is the Outdoor photographer. They live in Carson City and can be reached at donquilici@hotmail.com