What do I need for a week in Feb.? (Wasilla: house, to buy)

[stock66]

OK, here is the silly tourist question of the day.
I am bringing my elderly mom (80's) up to visit her visit her brother in Palmer at the end of February. I know, great timing, but it with health issues it needed to be now.
Luggage is limited to carry on.
What do we need to have? For instance, we don't have space for shoes and boots. Which do we wear?
Can I get by with jeans, sweatshirts and a good jacket?
Thanks for the help.

[Marty Van Diest]

Don't know where you are coming from, but you will be OK with your clothes as long as you don't go outside much. Just for going to and from the car it will be OK.

Palmer, depending on where you are, can have strong winds in excess of 70MPH at the same time the temps are running about 0 degrees F. That is cold no matter how you slice it.

But if you are going to be inside most of the time you should be OK.

[bluefox907]

Cold time to come, but like you said, with health and all, you have to do what you can. Dress warm, no matter what. We can drop -20 below in Feb. Wal-Mart has good boots for men and women, not to expensive. That's in Wasilla, near Palmer. Wear hat, gloves and stay warm.
Welcome

[Arcticthaw]

Some streach knit gloves will help keep your mom's hads from getting cold as she grabs things to help here move.

If you have time and can get one, try for a handicap sticker for the car and her. Event a temporary one. If there is lots of snow this will help her out.

[rotorhead]

It can get pretty icy in spots, might want to include a set of ice cleats for the both of you to prevent falls. If space is an issue, try to get a couple sets of "yak trax". They're kinda like a net of really thick rubber bands with a spiral covering of wire that you just stretch over the sole of your shoes. They'll fit any kind of shoe or boot, you just have to buy the right size. They hardly take up any space at all, you can tuck them in a jacket pocket easily and they only run maybe twenty bucks a pair at Walmart. Do keep in mind that though they're great for ice and snow, they can be quite slippery on hard floors (especially wet tile), so you'll have to remove them indoors if you go shopping or such.

Bring clothes that can be worn in layers, thermal underwear, a fleece jacket, some kind of windbreaker or rain jacket if it's windy. That way you can adjust for how cold it is. There's no need to bring along a huge parka unless you already have one of those puffy goose down jackets, they pack down into no space at all.

Before you go crazy on the big boot thing, keep in mind that for many (if not most) Alaskans, it's the polite thing to remove your shoes in the entry hall or arctic entrance when you go to someones house. That way you avoid tracking big snow clumps, salt, and cinders into the house proper. Not everyone does it, but it sure keeps the wood floor and carpet in much better shape so most do. If you're mother has a problem getting her shoes on and off, you can ask them for a bench or a chair to help her out or they may just have you ignore the custom in accomodation of her age. In public places like stores and such you don't worry about it, they'll have durable waterproof floors and big absorbant floor mats at the doors.

Do NOT let her get stubborn about accepting your help, by Feb. it's usually melted and refrozen several times so it can be quite treacherous in the more heavily trafficed areas. A half inch of new snow over old ice is slick as greased glass.

[Metlakatla]

I was gonna say...whether you get shoes or boots, make sure they have traction.

[stock66]

Thanks for the advice. I live in LA so I can't buy any sort of winter gear here anything I get would have to be online. I am from Michigan, my mom lives there. I own Pac boots and a good jacket. I know she has boots and a good coat.
I've told my mom she must wear boots and bring her cane. She wasn't thrilled. I am pretty sure she will listen on boots, the cane is iffy. You know how stubborn seniors can be. She lived in Nome but that was when she was young and falling wasn't such a big deal
We are used to the taking off the boots thing. Is walking about in socks while visiting considered acceptable?
I think the Yak Trax are a good idea. She could also use them in MI since she had already fallen on ice this year. Of course we are back to that could use vs. would use issue.
70 MPH winds, ouch! I don't mind cold but that is a wicked wind!
Thanks for the help.

[DannyL]

Ditto on the yak-trax. Get them here...

Yaktrax™ Pro Traction Device from Campmor

- the mediums fit most everyone, just look at the sizes. I have 3 pair, but I'm outside a bunch.
At least get a knit watchcap to pull over your head. Cover your ears. Keeping your feet, head, and hands warm is half the battle.
One thing about Alaska, most of us dress for the weather, not for fashion.