This is the time of year when many outdoor sports enthusiasts are looking for something new and exciting.  Why not consider a snowmobile adventure in the Yellowstone National Park?  There are several companies that specialize in such tours.  They have professionally trained guides who will provide snowmobile operation and safety instructions prior to each tour and are eager to share their knowledge of the area.

Most snowmobile adventure tours run from mid-December through March, depending on the weather conditions.  It seems that we have had an abundance of snow this winter, so the snowmobiling should be great!  There are different rates depending on the number of days you are interested in and some, but not all, offer overnight accommodations.  The snowmobiles are furnished for you with up-to-date models.

After much research, I have narrowed the list of Yellowstone snowmobile tour companies to my three favorites.  Following is a brief summary of what each one offers – I have taken the liberty of copying some of the information from their respective websites.

(1) GOOSEWING RANCH:   Old Faithful Snowmobile Tour – See big game animals as they come down into the warm valleys in search of food and shelter, and enjoy breathtaking scenery.  Following are features which are included:  Environment friendly snowmobiles  (2009 models) ;  Breakfast, restaurant lunch and refreshments;  Door-to-door transportation/Hotel pick-up;  Boots, suit, helmet, mittens and hand warmers.  You bring winter clothing, thermals, a camera and a drivers license.        (www.goosewingranch.com)

(2) TOGWOTEE SNOWMOBILE ADVENTURES:  Offers a variety of Yellowstone day tours, as well as overnight tours.  National Forest tours include Granite Hot Springs, the Gros Ventre Wildlife Viewing tour and the Continental Divide tour,  also a variety of off-trail powder tours for the more adventurous riders.   The Old Faithful Tour is a 90 mile round trip tour where you will see Old Faithful erupt in a plume of steam into the winter air – approximately every 90 minutes.  You will see Lewis Canyon, Moose Falls and the Continental Divide.  The Canyon Yellowstone Tour is 125 miles round trip, and you will see the partially frozen falls and ice misted canyon walls of the “Grand Canyon” of Yellowstone National Park.  This canyon is considered one of Yellowstone’s most spectacular features.          (www.togwoteesnowmobile.com)

(3) JACKSON HOLE SNOWMOBILE TOURS:   Old Faithful Geyser tour where you will see bison throughout the park on your way to Old Faithful.  Make scenic stops at Lewis Falls, West Thumb and the Continental Divide.  A hot beef stew lunch awaits you as you wait for the eruption of Old Faithful.  On the return trip you will see Shoshone Overlook, Kepler Cascades and Moose Falls.   On the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone tour you will travel along the northern banks of Yellowstone Lake, along the Yellowstone River and through the scenic Hayden Valley.  Learn about thermal features at West Thumb, Dragons Mouth and Mud Volcano.          (www.jacksonholesnowmobile.com)

This is only a snapshot of my three top picks for a great snowmobile adventure to see Yellowstone National Park, and as you can imagine, there are many to choose from.  So take your pick and pack your bags for a fun-filled winter experience, and don’t forget your camera!

Check out covers for your snowmobile and other vehicles at our online store snjcarcovers.com.

The most frequently asked question concerns the best cover to use for outdoor protection in high moisture climates like the Pacific Northwest, Canada or any other area with a large amount of precipitation.  The Elite Premium Waterproof car cover or truck cover is 100% waterproof due to the ultrasonically welded seams which prevent water penetration.  This cover provides three layers of protection for your vehicle including UV treatment for sun and heat protection.

Another concern is condensation buildup beneath the car cover or truck cover.  Condensation will naturally form under the cover due to the thermal barrier created by the cover.  All Elite vehicle covers, including the Elite Premium Waterproof car covers and truck covers are made from fabrics which have a feature called “breathability”.  This means that they will allow the condensation to evaporate and pass through the cover.  This will help prevent surface rust from forming if the vehicle is covered for long periods of time.

The Elite Premium Waterproof car cover or truck cover is our recommendation for those who want protection from the outdoor elements as well as the added protection from rust buildup due to condensation.  Visit our website at www.snjcarcovers.com to see additional features of the Elite Premium Waterproof line of covers for cars, trucks, SUVs, vans and station wagons as well as limousines, boats and campers.

These tarps aren’t breathable and can cause condensation to build up on your vehicle.  If this is your method of storing your vehicle for the winter, this condensation could be there until you remove the tarp in the spring or summer.  Also, it is hard to get a large tarp fastened down securely enough to withstand the winter winds in many areas.  The wind can get underneath and lift the tarp partially or completely off before winter is half over.  And finally, depending on the quality of the tarp you purchase, it may not hold up through the winter.  Lightweight tarps disintegrate very quickly if exposed to the elements for an extended period of time.

You spend alot of money on your boats, campers and other vehicles, so why not invest in a quality waterproof cover which was intended to protect your vehicle and in the long run will save you money and aggravation.  These covers are breathable and have tie down grommets to anchor the cover.  These covers have a great warranty and with proper care will last many years.  Why not check them out at www.snjcarcovers.com.  All boat and camper covers are reduced 10% for October only.

When it came time to remove the cover a couple of days ago, I followed my own directions, and what a difference it made!  The first step was to fold the cover in from both sides twice and then start rolling from the back to the front.  It was so much more compact once it was rolled!  And  it was so much easier to put the cover back on again!

So remember….fold it, roll it, store it is definitely the way to go to make your car cover or any cover easier to handle!

Check out all of the covers available at www.snjcarcovers.com.  Our October special is a 10% discount on all camper covers and boat covers.

I am speaking from experience.  This past weekend we washed our truck and cleaned the interior before driving it into the garage. After we pulled it in, I decided to put the cover on to keep it clean until we want to drive it again.  Well, when we removed the cover the last time, we must have been in a hurry, because it was rolled but not so that I could easily tell the front from the back.  It hadn’t been folded before it was rolled, so it was hard to handle.

At this point, you are probably wondering why it was such a big deal.  Well, the cover I was trying to put on is the largest size SUV cover – we purchased this for our truck with a cab high cap.  It works beautifully, but if not properly removed, it is very bulky and cumbersome.  It seems that the cover had to be unrolled from back to front, when it would have been easier to go from the front to the back.  Needless to say, it took me longer to put this cover on due to the fact that it had not been properly folded, rolled and stored.

So now for instructions on the proper way to remove this type of cover.  First, fold the cover from each side towards the center.  Not only will this make the cover more manageable to handle when rolled, it also keeps the dusty side folded to the inside.  Next, start rolling the folded cover from the back towards the front.  This way, when you are ready to put the cover back on, you will unroll from the front to the back, and you can hook the elastic hem under the front bumper as you work the cover back.  Be sure you roll your cover the same way every time, so you know the front from the back.  Finally, store your cover in the provided storage bag.

Remember these three steps – fold it, roll it and store it – these steps are the ones I will personally follow from now on whenever the cover is removed from our truck.

Check out all of the car covers, truck covers and other vehicle covers available at snjcarcovers.com.

Those who have campers and RV’s have to be sure that the water is all drained and antifreeze is added.  The septic holding tank must be emptied.  Some people are fortunate enough to have inside storage for their campers and RV’s, but for those of you who don’t have that convenience can invest in an Elite Premium 100% waterproof camper or RV cover.  These covers are ideal for the high moisture climates found all across the United States and Canada.

Check out these top of the line camper and RV covers at snjcarcovers.com.

It is the end of the gardening season, so we must clear the beds of spent plants and maybe sow a cover crop for green fertilizer for next year.  We clean up our summer equipment like lawnmowers and rototillers and get them ready for winter storage.  We prepare other pieces of equipment for the winter season ahead – snowblowers, plow blades or whatever equipment we need for snow removal.  Some of us plant flower bulbs which need to freeze over the winter in order to bloom in the spring and summer.

There are many more chores too numerous to mention.  But a very important thing to consider if you don’t have inside storage for some of your equipment, is the purchase of the appropriate covers to protect them from the elements.  At snjcarcovers.com we have protective covers for all types of vehicles including cars, trucks, boats, motorcycles, limousines, campers and many others.   Check out all of our covers.

We have given a lot of thought in recent days to Labor Day 2009 compared to other years.  So many people have lost their jobs since Labor Day 2008.  For these people, we’re sure that this holiday has little meaning.  Jobs are scarce, and loss of jobs triggers a chain of unfortunate events for many, the most obvious of which is loss of a steady income.  Some have lost homes because they couldn’t make their mortgage payments.  Some have become so despondent that they have chosen to take their own lives.

Amidst all of the parades, picnics and other forms of celebration this labor day, we hope that people who still have jobs and a reason to celebrate take a moment to say a prayer of thanksgiving for the blessing of the job that you have.  Also, include in this prayer all of those who aren’t as fortunate, and that by this time next year as we prepare to once again celebrate Labor Day, many of these people will be back to work!

Steve & Joyce at snjcarcovers.com

- Tighten up your gas cap.  Gas will evaporate from your car’s gas tank if it has an escape.  Loose, missing or damaged gas caps will cause your gas to evaporate.  Be sure you tighten your gas cap each time you fuel up your car.

- Go for the shade.  The hot summer sun that makes the inside of your car feel like a sauna also zaps fuel from your gas tank.  If you park in the shade, there will be a lesser amount of evaporative emissions from your gas tank.  You may also purchase a UV protective car cover to keep your car and fuel tank cooler.

- Pump up your tires.  Underinflated tires wear down more quickly, and they also lower your car’s gas mileage.  Tires that have low pressure offer more resistance so the engine is going to work harder to keep your car up to speed.  Your car’s gas mileage may drop as much as 15 percent.   Check your tire pressure once a month.

- Keep your engine in tune.  Fixing a car that is out of tune or has failed an emissions test can boost gas mileage by about 4 percent.  So be sure to give your car regular tune-ups.  You should also watch out for worn spark plugs.  A misfiring spark plug can reduce a car’s fuel efficiency by as much as 30%.

- Replace air filters.  When your engine air filter clogs with dirt, dust and bugs, it causes your engine to work harder and your car becomes less fuel-efficient.  Replacing your car’s air filter can improve your gas mileage by as much as 10 percent.

- Use the right oil.  You can improve your car’s gas mileage by 1 to 2 percent by using the manufacturer’s recommended grade of motor oil.  Opt for motor oil with the words “energy conserving” on the API performance label.  This oil contains friction-reducing additives.

- Don’t skimp on maintenance.  Be serious about auto care.  Your car’s performance depends on it.

These helpful tips have been recommended by the Car Care Council.  You can find other helpful information at carcare.org.

At snjcarcovers.com, we sell covers to protect the outside of your vehicle, but it is equally important to care for your car’s “insides.”