Until that “picturesque” dusting of snow isn’t a dusting. It’s a shroud, a silent, white curtain dropping on the whole play. Or that “lovely” coastal breeze, the one that smells of salt and freedom, turns into a humid, heavy, bar-knuckle fist. Suddenly, "storm surge" isn't an abstract term on the Weather Channel. It's a very real, very wet threat aimed directly at your axles.

This is the part of the adventure that doesn't make the Instagram feed.

This isn't your average home-prep guide. This is about what happens when the adventure bites back. We’ll cover the why, the how, and the seasonal etiquette for staying alive.