As I sit in my little bungalow on the second day of heavy rain....I start to think about preparing for the winter with the proper vehicle!! Last night as I was driving home my car was sort of slip sliding in the rain!! Now granted my tires are worn.... I have made numerous trips back and forth to San Diego in addition to driving another 10,000 going back and forth to work from Dayton to Truckee this summer!! Needless to say - My Rogue is a good little car and I love it!! But I want to feel safe driving in wet & snowy conditions. So the question is this.... Do I need to trade out my Rogue S for a Rogue AWD or can I just put on a real good set of snow tires and still be Safe!? My driving in Truckee is limited to in town and over to Tahoe City for work. Typically about 15 miles on hwy. 89 (fairly flat). I don't see myself driving over any passes during a storm and from what I hear the area is plowed pretty quickly after snow!! Im looking forward to hearing from all you professional snowy road drivers!! 

It is hard to believe I am really here living a life in the Sierra's!!  The first few weeks I had to keep reminding myself that Im not on vacation - I live here!!  Now as my life falls into the rhythm of a daily routine - I just smile and every now and again let out a laugh of disbelief!!  I can safely say I have acclimated to the altitude, I can navigate my way around town,  I have found several amazing cycling routes and awesome climbs, and I am finding the great places to eat that only the locals know about!! What I may Not be prepared for is Winter!!!!

Sept. 22nd was the first snowfall of the season...And I missed it!! I went to Dayton to visit my mom and came back in a bit of a rain storm but was devastated when I heard that not only did it snow in Truckee but also in Tahoe City where I work!! I missed it completely! Although it did get me to thinking about snow tires, all wheel drive, 4x4 and is my car ready for this!?  Do I need a windshield cover? Or should I get an ice scraper? Can I just throw water on the snow to wash it off the car??  I thought I had a few more weeks to figure this all out....but tonight, while at home the temps dropped, the rain fell and sure enough snow has covered the ground!!  Im filled with excitement of a New Adventure and then begin to wonder about tomorrow..... will I need a snow shovel,  will my car be safe to drive, do I have enough warm clothes?? I don't know the answers ....but that is part of the Adventure!!