Things you need in your car or truck in winter

Winter is upon us with cold and snow and icy roads and all that goes with it. Being prepared for being outdoors is simply a smart move. If you travel in the winter, or spend time hunting or even fishing, it pays to prepare yourself. A couple of my favorite winter activities are fishing from my boat or hunting alone. Being prepared is just a smart move when the water or the weather are cold. Here are a few suggestions of items you can store in your car or pickup. How many of these items depends on where you live and how much time you spend outdoors during the winter months.

The two places on the human body they get cold the fastest are one's hands and feet. Throw fashion out the window and get something warm. Warm shoes or boots are important, and an inexpensive pair of pac boots will help keep your feet warm and dry.

Wool gloves will be warm even if they get wet. A couple blankets would feel good or a sleeping bag or a pair of oversized coveralls. A good cap or stocking hat will feel really good on a cold winter day.

If you spend time fishing in the winter, carry an extra set of clothes. Several years ago I watched a guy fall into Tywappity Lake when his pedestal boat seat broke. It was late in the fall and the water was cold. His friend helped him back into the boat. Dry clothes would have felt good, but he wasn't prepared. Hypothermia can happen before you realize it, and then you are in trouble. I have one of the space-age reflection blankets I carry when I'm hunting. It folds up into a 3x5x1-inch packet and is incredibly warm.

A must for every car or truck or boat is a couple good flashlights. I'd make sure I had extra batteries and maybe even an extra bulb for each of them. Many stores have small LCD flashlights for just a few dollars. They have some really neat electric lantern lights, which would be great. My favorite flashlight, which has stood the test of time, is the Maglite.

Something to snack on -- like nuts or candy bars or energy bars or jerky -- is a good addition. If you put a water bottle in a cooler, normally it won't freeze. I sure wouldn't put sodas. Sodas can sure make a mess if they freeze and burst. Fruit juices would be fine.

Skip the booze, including peppermint schnapps. I've heard it warms you up, but it doesn't. It may make you feel better for a short time, but, hands down, water is best.

I'd buy a few bags of cheap kitty litter and put them in your trunk or pickup bed. If you have an open bed, simply put it in a trash bag. One can buy this mostly clay litter for $3 or $4 a bag. You can sprinkle kitty litter on ice and it will give you traction in a pinch. It also adds traction if you have a rear wheel drive outfit like a pickup.

If you don't have a charger for your phone that plugs into the cigarette lighter, I'd probably buy one. Marge and I ordered ours on Ebay, and both of them were under $10. If your phone is like mine, the battery doesn't last that long, especially if I'm using it.

One last piece of advice, which I don't follow all the time, is to let someone know where you are going, when you expect to be back -- and then have them make sure you are back and safe.

Enjoy the winter.