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Extreme weather conditions can lead to unsafe road hazards. While it is best to stay off the road during times of extreme weather, sometimes it cannot be avoided. These tips will help you stay safe when driving during extreme weather conditions. Prepare Your Vehicle Ahead of Time There are some vehicle preparations that can actually improve the safety of your drive. Make sure your windshield wipers are working properly, keep your tires filled to the proper level, and have your vehicle winter-serviced each year. Taking these safety precautions ahead of time reduces your chances of having vehicle trouble on top of poor road conditions. You don't want to get stranded in the middle of extreme weather. more Prepare an Emergency Road Kit Keeping an emergency road kit in your trunk is useful for driving emergencies. Your emergency kit should include items like blankets, an ice scraper, road flares, dry food, water, and a backup cell phone or phone charger. If you have a roadside service membership, make sure you have this information also stored in your vehicle somewhere. Keeping a bag of cat litter in the trunk can also help improve traction if you get stranded. Take Your Time Rushing in extreme weather conditions often leads to an even more dangerous situation. Driving too fast on poor roads can make it difficult to stop without causing an accident. Icy and slippery roads are not always easily visible. You could drive for many miles with good traction and then hit a patch of black ice and spin out of control. If the weather is poor, slow your speed to a 10 mph and then adjust accordingly, based on your comfort level. Avoid slamming on your breaks and give yourself plenty of space to come to a full stop. Keep a Large Distance between Other Cars Poor road conditions also affect other drivers on the road. Tailgating can result in an auto accident if the person in front of you has to stop quickly. It is best to leave a minimum of 100 yards between you and other drivers. Avoid a collision in the event either of you needs to stop quickly or are unable to come to a stop by keeping your distance.  If traffic is moving faster than you are comfortable with, switch lanes to a slower one and keep a large distance between the other drivers in the lane. Know When to Pull Off Just because you decided to drive despite poor road conditions, this does not mean that you have to stay on the road. If you find that the road conditions are much worse than expected, turn around and go home. If it is too dangerous to even drive home, pull off the road to a safe place. Even stopping in for a bite to eat can give the roads time to improve. Extreme weather conditions can make driving unsafe. These driving tips will help you gauge the weather and practice safe driving, regardless of the weather.   Photo " Rainy Drive " by Roman Lakoubtchik licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 | Cropped from original

Dahlonega, Georgia, may not initially be known for its barbecue cuisine. However, it is home to some delicious local BBQ places that are worth giving a try. Smokin' Gold BBQ Smokin' Gold BBQ is a newer BBQ joint in Dahlonega, GA, but it has already become a favorite of the locals. Located in Dahlonega's main square, Smokin' Gold BBQ sits in a converted auto garage building. The menu is what you would expect from a traditional BBQ restaurant including pulled pork BBQ plates and brisket sandwiches. You will also find a Brunswick stew and peach cobbler on the menu that is worth giving a try. Request a table on the patio to enjoy your BBQ dinner, while overlooking the downtown city of Dahlonega, Georgia. more Farmhouse Produce and The BBQ Kitchen This unique destination combines a BBQ restaurant and a small produce market. The Farmhouse is a family owned small business, but it does not disappoint in food quality. Each of their menu and product market items are made with the freshest of ingredients, all from within Dahlonega. While the interior is quaint, the food is exceptional and will leave you wanting more. Some of the favorite items on the menu include the fried BBQ pickles, the fried green tomatoes, and the BBQ rib tips. Hickory Prime BBQ Hickory Prime BBQ came from owners who entered many BBQ contests. After winning several first place awards, they decided to serve their quality BBQ to the public. The menu is quite expansive, but consider items like the chopped beef brisket sandwich, the smoked pulled chicken plate, or the sweet and spicy BBQ grilled cheese. The restaurant also has a large to-go and catering menu, perfect for serving this delicious BBQ at your next event. The Jukebox Cafe The Jukebox Cafe is a favorite food and entertainment place in Dahlonega. The menu is simple boasting comfort BBQ foods like grilled cheese, grilled mac and cheese, and the pretzel Ruben. The entire menu is fresh daily and cooked using locally sourced ingredients. The Jukebox hosts many live events throughout the week with comedians, bagpipe performances, and southern musical artists. You will often find guests sticking around after dinner for a night of dancing. Jr's Roadkill BBQ & Ribs Jr's is a local favorite in Dahlonega. The menu is authentically BBQ inspired and includes pulled pork dishes, sweet potatoes fries, and BBQ ribs. The joint country store is a perfect stop after dinner to load up on local crafts and souvenirs. Stop by on a weekend night for dinner and live entertainment. Fridays are karaoke night from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m., and Saturdays host a live band. Before you leave, make sure you write your name on the outdoor deck table. It keeps track of the many satisfied customers of Jr's Roadkill BBQ history. Dahlonega, Georgia, has established a loyal BBQ following. With a couple of local restaurants dedicated to delicious BBQ and entertainment, it is worth visiting Dahlonega to meet your BBQ cravings. Photo by Southern Food Alliance licensed under CC BY 2.0 | Cropped from original

The 2018 Ford Focus RS is a limited-edition vehicle. Entering its last year of production, this limited time Ford Focus will no longer be produced after 2018. Here are the most exciting features of the last version of the Ford Focus RS. Powerful Engine The 2018 Ford Focus RS definitely does not lack in power. With a 350 horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine, it offers a satisfying sporty and powerful performance. The unique 6-speed manual transmission will also improve the overall drive. Drivability In addition to a consistently powerful engine, the performance is also enhanced with a 2.3L EcoBoost® system. This system uniquely controls how much torque goes to each wheel, improving control, traction, and overall drivability. Drivers can also manually switch between four different driving modes, with a new track and drift option. The Focus RS also gives drivers the ability to adjust suspension and stability control for ideal operating conditions. more Exterior Trim Almost as a dedication to the end of this sporty line, Ford has completely renovated the exterior of the 2018 Ford Focus RS. The exterior mirrors have black trim, the spoiler has an upgraded black accent, and the RS decal is completely changed from earlier models. Drivers can also choose a Race Red color in the 2018 model, which is an addition to the single color Nitrous Blue that was previously offered. The 19-inch forged painted wheels will also now come standard in both models. Although minimally changed, the aerodynamic design of the exterior will also improve drivability with efficient speed. The unique exterior trim of the 2018 model is sure to give you a unique vehicle that is easily recognized by Ford Focus enthusiasts. Interior The interior also saw a significant change in this year's final model. The seats come standard with RECARO® leather heated materials. The mirrors and steering wheel are also heated. The navigation system has upgraded voice activation and easier than ever to use. The Sync 3 touchscreen infotainment system has a larger 8.0-inch monitor. Safety Features Not much has changed in terms of safety, but the 2018 Ford RS will still offer a solid safety package. Drivers can feel safe despite road conditions with the dual-sided airbags, safety canopy system, and belt minder feature. Passengers can also adjust their seatbelt based on height, for a more secure fit. The LATCH system and child-safety rear locks improve safety for families with young children. Finally, the rearview camera and tire pressure monitoring system are both standard on both models. Drivers can also rest easy knowing that their exclusive vehicle has protection built-in. Security features include a remote keyless entry, a passive anti-lock system, and a perimeter alarm system. The 2017 Ford Focus RS did not see any significant changes. The 2018 Ford Focus RS, however, is completely revamped for its last year in production. There will only be 1,000 of these exclusive RS vehicles made, so make sure you stop by your local dealer before this car is no longer available.   Photo via Ford.com

The Georgia mountain region is home to Dahlonega, GA. It's known for its beautiful outdoor scenery and vast wine trails. The locally grown wine makes it the perfect destination for a wine tasting tour. There are many wine tour options available in Dahlonega, GA. Here are just a few of them. Visit a Local Wine Tasting Room You will find many wine tasting rooms scattered throughout Dahlonega, GA. In fact, it was recently named the Wine Tasting Room Capital of Georgia. Just a few of the local wine tasting rooms include Crane Creek Dahlonega Tasting Room, Canvas & Cork, and the Georgia Winery of Dahlonega Tasting Room. Many of the rooms offer small tasting plate of fruits, crackers, and cheese to pair with your wine choices. If you plan to visit multiple rooms, make sure you stop by the Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Visitors Center first. You can buy a signature wine glass for only $5. Bring the glass with you to the wine tasting rooms for special discounts. At the end of the tour, you are left with a souvenir of Dahlonega's premier wine country. more Visit a Wine Cellar Wine cellars are like wine tasting rooms, but often take place in a storage basement or room dedicated to wine storage. Wine cellar visits are great for tasting wines that are best when temperature controlled. When you try the wines in a temperature consistent room, you get a true taste for the wine flavor without the intrusions of the outside air. One wine cellar that is worth visiting is Frogtown Cellars. This cellar sits below a 57-acre vineyard estate. The vineyard has over 22,000 grape vines and over 25 grape varieties of wine. The wines served in the cellar come exclusively from the Frogtown Cellars vineyard. Stroll Through the Local Vineyards There is something exciting and beautiful about viewing the process of winemaking. Get a closer look at how the grapes are grown and stroll through the real grape vineyards of the Northeast Georgia Mountain area. The mountains are ideal for grape growing and are what leads to such exquisite wine flavors. The Dahlonega Wine Trail is a unique wine tour experience that is perfect for all wine enthusiasts. The entire scenic tour takes about one hour and 15 minutes and spans across 39 miles of the best grape growing vineyards. Attend a Wine Tasting Event With so many superior wineries in the Dahlonega area, it is no surprise that there are many wine tasting events to attend. Just a few of the upcoming wine festivals include the Dahlonega Literary Festival on March 24 and 25, the Bear on the Square Festival on April 21 and 22, and the Dahlonega Arts & Wine Festival on May 19 and 20. These events are the perfect opportunity to taste local wine, enjoy live music, and mingle with other wine enthusiasts. Dahlonega, GA, and wine are synonymous with one another. There are many ways to enjoy a glass of wine in the city, whether you prefer to drive, walk, or attend a wine inspired event.     Photo: " Monteluce Vineyard " by Maxim B. licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 | Cropped from original