CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
Horace Greeley is usually credited with saying "Go west young man," but the actual quote was, "Go west young man and grow up with the country." This was also the title of an article written by John B. L. Soule in the Terre Haute Express originally published in 1851. This has often been misquoted and I am going to do that now: Go west young man or go north if you want to, just make sure you are ready for winter weather if you do.
Just 200 miles west of Charleston lays the Appalachian Mountains. While it can be sunny and nice here in Charleston, it can be snowing in Spartanburg, S.C., and downright nasty in Asheville, N.C. A lot of people are from the North as well, so if you are heading that way, you have to be ready for the nasty stuff.
Check the weather. If it is cold and snowy where you are traveling, perhaps you can wait a couple of days and miss the bad weather. Also keep in mind that you could also get to your destination and then be snowed in.
So what is a person supposed to do? First, check and make sure your vehicle is prepped for winter weather. Check the anti-freeze for cooling, heating and defrosting systems. Treat your car to a set of new windshield wiper blades and top off the windshield washing solution. Check and charge the battery. If it won't hold a full charge, get a new battery. Make sure you check your tires and ensure they are in great shape; don't forget to check the spare also. Clean off your headlights, taillights and blinkers and make sure they are operational.
Consider taking lifesaving articles if you should get trapped in a blizzard. In Colorado, some people always keep a complete change of clothing, gloves and warm head gear to wear just in case they get stuck in a blizzard. Additional lifesaving items include water, candles, flashlight, matches, a can opener, a cell phone and blankets.
The weather in the South is generally great -- especially in the winter, but you can get (and I have been) stuck on the road due to a snowstorm in the Appalachians. If it starts to snow and gets slick, get off the road. Being stuck with your family in a hotel because of snow for a day or two beats being stuck on an interstate.
Go west or north and have fun -- just be weather smart!