shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com September 18, 2018 • Page 11 Fall Home Improvement & Car Care Leaf Peeping Planning Guide Items Necessary To Fix A Flat Tire Millions of people each year look forward to the magnificent colors on display in autumn. Fall offers irreplaceable views, whether you’re atop a mountain ridge or thick in the folds of a forest. In addition, the crackle of leaves underfoot and the earthy smell of the soil tempts the senses even more. Some advance planning can help make fall foliage trips that much more enjoyable and aweinspiring. Peak viewing times Areas of the northern-most latitude will start to show color earlier than more southern areas. Generally speaking, the leaf-viewing season begins in late September and runs through early November for much of North America. Peak times for viewing depend on areas of travel and time of year. For large swaths of Canada and the United States, plan trips for lateSeptember to mid-October. Pick your destination Anywhere with deciduous trees provides the opportunity to witness blazing autumn color. During leaf-peeping season, travelers can go coast to coast and see awesome vistas. Some regions are particularly known for their leaf displays. New York’s Catskill and Adirondack regions are prime spots for visitors in the autumn. Those who live further north will find that leaves in Vermont are such an attraction that routes are published indicating where to enjoy the best views. Further south, Central and Eastern Virginia peak in late October. And don’t forget the shores of the Great Lakes, which are awash in reds, oranges and yellows by mid-September. The travel resource Frommer’s offers more leaf-peeping locales to Flat tires are a nuisance, but even the most well-maintained vehicles can be vulnerable to the occasional flat. Ensuring tires are properly inflated and in good condition can help drivers avoid accidents, but won’t necessarily make tires immune to flats. The following are some essential items that all drivers should keep in their vehicles so they visit. can quickly and correctly Pack the right gear replace flat tires. While most people are not without • Spare tire: Spare tires a smartphone that can capture amazare typically located in the ing high-resolution imagery, serious leaf trunk beneath the carpetphotographers may want to take out their like mat covering the area. prized camera equipment for leaf-peeping SUV drivers may have excursions. Also bring along a map or a their spare tires mounted GPS-enabled device so you can explore on the back of their vehiback roads and areas off the beaten path cles, but some are located more readily. beneath the automobile. There are plenty of apps that can Periodically inspect spare help with foliage-finding adventures, so tires to make sure they are a phone is a handy tool. When packing, inflated. When buying or also bring along hiking boots, comfortable leasing new cars, drivers layered clothing and any equipment you’d should always confirm if normally take for an afternoon in the the vehicle comes with a great outdoors. spare. Another idea is to hit the ATM machine • Jack: A jack is necesprior to the visit. Many smaller towns sary to change a flat tire. and their local shops may not take credit Scissor jacks are widely cards, so it’s best to have cash on hand used and tend to be the for food and souvenirs. jacks most people keep in Extend the day their trunks. These jacks Make leaf-peeping part of a larger are lightweight and won’t series of events for the day. Scope out take up much space, and vineyards where you can sample local the handle is typically the wines or plan trips around orchards, tire iron that comes with where you can come home with beautiful photos as well as fresh-picked apples and pumpkins. You may find a county fair or street festival while exploring. the vehicle. Some jacks are specially designed to fit the vehicles they came with, so when shopping for replacement jacks, make sure any you are considering are compatible with your car or truck. • Lug wrench: A lug wrench is necessary to remove hubcaps or wheel covers. Drivers should determine if their vehicles require a special tool to remove wheel covers. Such information will be indicated in the owner’s manual, which should be kept in the vehicle at all times. • Wheel wedges: Wheel wedges can be placed in front of or behind tires to prevent the car from rolling while drivers change their flats. When changing a rear tire, place the wedges in front of the front tires. When changing a front tire, place them behind the rear tires. • Miscellaneous items: While the aforementioned items are all that’s necessary to change a tire, some miscellaneous items can facilitate the process of replacing a flat. In their cars, drivers can keep a small cloth bag containing a pair of gloves, a flashlight, batteries to go with the flashlight, a poncho to keep them dry should they need to change a tire in the rain, and a ballcap that can keep rain or sunlight out of their eyes so they can focus on the job at hand. It’s also a good idea to keep a blanket in the trunk of your car so passengers can stay warm inside while the flat tire is replaced. ? MetroCreativeConnection ? MetroCreativeConnection Make Fall Clean-up Eco-friendly Certain tasks become necessary once autumn arrives. Whereas spring and summer were spent tending gardens and maintaining a yard prime for entertaining, autumn is about preparing properties to survive the winter. Just as with other jobs around the house and yard, fall clean-up can be done in a manner that is respectful to the environment. Leave plant stalks and leaves It is tempting to want to cut back perennials and other greenery so a property looks neat. But as flowers and plants dry and drop to the ground, they help insulate the roots from the cold. They also provide a natural habitat and serve as a winter food source for birds and small animals. Rake leaves sensibly Power blowers and mulchers make fast work of leaves, but at the expense of the environment. Gas-powered devices discharge fuel exhaust into the air, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. Instead, reap the benefits of peace and quiet as well as exercise from manual raking. While raking, do not feel the need to remove every leaf. A certain amount of organic matter can be beneficial to the soil and even insulate the lawn somewhat. A leftover leaf here or there also may provide protection for insects and small animals. For example, many native bees spend the winter in tunnels in the ground, cracks in mortar, holes in dead wood, or within hollow stems, and they need lawn and garden litter to survive. Compost is a friend Spread a thin layer of compost on the lawn and in garden beds. Compost prevents weed growth, insulates and protects the soil and provides nutrients that will be needed once the spring busy season begins. By using compost, homeowners can reduce dependence on chemical fertilizers and weed killers. Check for drafts and leaks Fall is an ideal time to check windows and doors for cracks where water, air or insects can enter. Seal up holes and cracks, and ensure there are no drafty areas. Drafts can cause home heating and cooling systems to work harder, expending more energy than necessary. Collect and harvest Be sure to gather any useable garden vegetables and fruits and prepare them for storage if they cannot be consumed in the next few days. Canning is a time-honored preservation method. Herbs and seeds can be dried and saved for use later on. Vacuum seal fresh basil and parsley. Take inventory Look at which items in the yard have seen better days and prepare to recycle or reuse them in different ways. Faded plastic planters can be used as impromptu bird baths in a garden. An old tire can be mulched and turned into soft material to put around a playset. Inquire as to the proper way to recycle plastic lawn chairs that may be broken. Autumn yard work should be performed in as eco-friendly a fashion as possible. ? MetroCreativeConnection BOYD ROOFING General Construction • Siding • Roofing 605.661.0297 @ Jeremieboyd35@gmail.com For Fast And Reliable Quality Electrical Work Call The Professionals... •New Construction •Remodel •Commercial L&S ELECTRIC 665-6612 • 661-1040 1600 E. 39th St., Yankton Harry Lane, Electrical Contractor Mon-Fri 7:30am-6pm • Sat 8am-2pm We’re more than just Auto Parts! 1509 E. Hwy 50 • Yankton, SD 605-665-3693 • 800-658-3388 www.sturdevants.com Lea ves a re License, Bonded & Insured falling and the raking begins. 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