Every year, at the beginning of winter, I put my "winter pack" in the truck. The winter pack consists of an old winter jacket, hat, gloves and scarf. Those items are stored in a plastic bag so they are easy to transfer from closet to car.
This year, I also threw in my old utility jacket. It is a warm, lined, hooded windbreaker that is also water proof. It is the jacket I used the most for winter chores such as shoveling and hauling wood. I got a new utility jacket, but couldn't bear the thought of getting rid of the old one, but it was in too rough a shape to donate to charity. hence, it got put in the Jeep for "just in case"
About 10 days ago i headed for work. about half way up the road, I realized i had forgotten my gloves at home. the evening before they had gotten wet while shoveling and I had arranged them for drying, so hadn't put them back in my pockets. I thought about turning around, but figured I had a couple of pairs of gloves in the truck, so decided not to.
The reason gloves were so important was because it was supposed to snow 6-8" that day, and I wanted them for while I was clearing off the truck.
When I got to work, I checked my winter pack, hmm, no gloves in the coat or anywhere in the bag. Then I checked my utility jacket, but no luck there. Damn! I had no gloves at all.
Fortunately the sleeves to my winter coat are long, so I just pulled my hands inside while brushing off the snow that afternoon. However, there was also ice on the windshield so I had to expose my hands to the wind and cold while scraping. My poor wet hands (from melting snow/ice) were mighty cold by the time I was done.
Needless to say, when I got home I immediately grabbed a couple of pairs of gloves and put them in the truck (one pair in the winter bag, one pair in the pockets of the utility jacket).
Lesson learned? Always, Always, Always check your winter pack to make sure you have the emergency supplies you think you have!
Bogie--Great reminder for us. I'll check my own trunk. I carry my best winter down-filled parka with detached hood (parka has been worn once in the 22 years of its life) with fur-lined leather gloves and cashmere neck scarf in its pockets. That's the theory, anyway. I'll check. My jump boots and heavy socks are in a separate tote bag - the more likely to be needed. Hold on....
Yes! It was all there. In addition, what's left of a small scoop shovel (the blade is about 4 inches shorter than when I first bought it, used, in 1977 - from use), a space blanket, and a full-bed-sized beach towel.
Thanks for running me through the exercise. One never knows.
Posted by: Cop Car | February 12, 2011 at 06:11 PM
Otherwise known as Rule 3: "Never take anything for granted; always double-check."
One other thing to remember is that in an emergency, you can find basic work gloves in any gas station/convenience store. They won't be waterproof or well insulated, but they're better than nothing.
Posted by: wolfwalker | February 12, 2011 at 10:26 PM
Good tip Wolfwalker - I probably should have gone and got some cheapy gloves when I discovered that I had none.
Posted by: bogie | February 13, 2011 at 06:09 AM
Wolfwalker - and Rules #1&2?
Posted by: Cop Car | February 13, 2011 at 09:24 AM
#1: Be prepared
Posted by: bogie | February 13, 2011 at 06:59 PM
Rule 1: Never forget your assumptions.
Rule 2: Always document your work. Someday somebody will need it.
Posted by: wolfwalker | February 13, 2011 at 09:40 PM
WW--Thanks. Those three rules are always good. I don't know what number to give it, but one of my rules was to always get data from source material - not from another document that supposedly reproduces the source material.
P.S. Some followers who think they are following Rule 2 forget to include Rule 1.
Posted by: Cop Car | February 14, 2011 at 08:36 AM
I'm surrrounded by Engineer Geeks :)
Posted by: bogie | February 15, 2011 at 05:01 AM
Bogie--You are really one of us. You just don't know it. (How's that for an insult?!)
Love you!
Posted by: Cop Car | February 15, 2011 at 10:09 AM