Thanksgiving in the California Central Valley conjures up images of autumn leaves by the roadside, persimmon cookies in the oven, and cinnamon-scented candles in a family home. The holiday season is a time to snuggle up and enjoy each others’ company. Winter weather sneaks up on us in California; it’s best to get a handle on it ahead of the Holiday season!
The colder months in California’s Central Valley remain relatively dry most of the time, but winter conditions can and do creep in! The abundance of farmland surrounding us means we are susceptible to washed-out roads and flash floods in farming areas. All that tilled earth makes for an excellent mud soup recipe, haha! So before you head out to spend time with family, check out our ideas on how to handle Thanksgiving travel!
Prepare a Road Kit – A road kit is a bag, container, or loose collection of items that keep you prepared in case of an emergency or unplanned event! It does rain in the central valley, and sometimes we aren’t prepared for the situation. Some ideas of things to have in a road kit include: flashlights, batteries, space blankets, flares, paper towels, Fix-a-Flat, ice scrapers, etc.
Check Your Spare Tire – This is a great time to take a look at your spare tire and make sure it is ready for you if you need it! Check your spare tire’s pressure and fill it to the proper PSI; if it needs it. If you don’t have a spare tire, consider purchasing one, so you can be prepared for the road ahead. Nobody wants to get stranded with a flat, sitting on the side of the road, missing the thanksgiving turkey, haha!
Check Your Lights – Our lights are easy to overlook in our daily routine, but it is never more important than on those long road trips to visit family and friends! Inspect your headlights, fog lights, brakes lights, turn signals, and interior car lights. If any of them are out, make sure to replace them before you and the family head out this Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving is full of fun, food, and fantastic time with family and friends. However, nothing puts a stop to all that faster than getting stuck on the side of the road waiting for a tow truck to change your tire! Keep you and your family safe this holiday season by double-checking some of the things we listed here, and consider having your vehicle inspected by a trusted auto center before the trip!
If you need help getting your car ready for the Thanksgiving get-together, visit Dick’s Automotive in Clovis, CA! We pride ourselves on providing the best quality service in the Clovis/Fresno area, and we would love to help you and your family safely hit the road. Contact us to schedule an appointment today, and we will make sure you and your family hit the road safely this Thanksgiving!
