Adjusting to cold weather questions (Cheyenne, Laramie: motel, house, buying)

[Crazymomof3]

We are moving to Laramie from Austin, TX. While we have visited, we haven't yet visited in the winter time. My husband is a native Texan, so he really hasn't been in cold weather. I grew up in Illinois, and moved to TX when I was about 13, so I've been here quite a while, and have traveled for my job in the past to the Northeast and Midwest. But, I've always come home to muggy old TX. So now we are moving and I need some help getting prepared for the winter months. Here are my questions, and let me preface this by saying thank you to everyone that has been so honest and insightful with their input. And I did really love my visit to Laramie...I think it will be a good fit for our family.

My husband has a 4x4 jeep (that by coincidence is from Wyoming-purchased in Cody) that has an engine block heater. What, if anything do we need to do to prepare for winter?

I have a 2004 Ford Freestar van (we have kids . What do I need to do to prepare my vehicle for the cold?

Also, how do we go about retrieving info about road closures? How good is Laramie or WY dept. of transportation about keeping the roads clear in winter?

We have a dog-a little Lhasa that we love dearly. Any ideas on how the cold will affect her?

Buying winter clothes...we have very few since our winters down here are like your springs. Any suggestions on gear, i.e coats for us and kids, boots, etc?

I think that's about it for right now. Thanks to everyone...

-Betsy

[ElkHunter]

Nothing needs to be done to your vehicles. Maybe some all weather tires is all.

Don't buy coats til you get here. Although the coats they sell in Texas, look warm. They're not. Completely different coats sold up here.

As far as road closures, your looking at the Interstate being closed. Seldom do the old roads or highways get closed. They do occasionally, but not as often as the interstate does.

If you look at the top of this forum, you'll see a sticky that says "Redneck road maps." It's all the camera's of the interstate. You can check how things look before you venture out. Also you can go to the Wyoming DOT website and it will list roads that are closed.

If your dog is a male, you won't need a thermometer. We just turn our dog out and wait three minutes. If you have to bust him loose from the tree, you know it's cold.

[mtnengr]

Hi Betsy,

WYDOT does as good of job as they can do to keep the roads open in the winter. I've heard that the section of I-80 east to Rawlins is one of the most shutdown sections of interstate in the nation though. WYDOT does a good job of keeping road information up to date. Go to wyoroad.info or call 888-WYOROAD for more info.

As for your vehicles, you probably won't have to do much to them - especially if you get a house with a garage.

Not to scare you away, but winters are quite different. We usually get snow and cold weather beginning in late October and it doesn't go away for good until late May/early June. I would definitely buy all your cold weather gear up here. If you're going to spend a lot of time outside in the winter, don't hesitate to buy higher quality stuff.

[Kristynwy]

I agree sounds like you are ready to go

I couldn't tell if you had a block heater in the van or not? that is one thing you may consider in your van. I always say better to be safe than sorry. But usually if the antifreeze is correct it does a good job of protecting.

[Crazymomof3]

Thank you guys! I remember while I was growing up in Illinois, we always had canned goods, flashlights, blankets, batteries and such in the car. We got snowed in once in Northern Illinois, and couldn't return home for about 6 days. We missed Christmas-I was about 10 so it was lousy for me.

Thanks again for the input-if anyone has any other suggestions for adjusting to cold weather and altitude, please-send them my way. This is a big move for us, and I'm nervous.

-Betsy

[Kristynwy]

You will do fine Betsy Best of luck to you on the move

Yes, 6 months out of the year we carry all kinds of goodies in our vehicles in case of getting stranded somewhere... can definitely be a lifesaver.

There are a couple posts about what to put in your vehicle during winter, try a search for those if you are interested in more on what to put in your vehicles. If you can't find them let me know and I will give you some links

[-CM-]

I've just moved back here myself after being in Southern California for many years. (Used to live here and in Cheyenne.) I haven't been here a full winter yet, but I was here a few times this year in January and February and one of the things I realized is that it pays to buy quality warm weather gear. Hats and gloves are a must; they really help to keep you warm. Waterproof shoes are great (Dockers makes some for guys, (and kids too, I think.)

You'll also need to get used to staying indoors a lot. It gets dark really early here in the winter, and many days, the wind makes it very unpleasant to go outside at all. Be sure to get a place with enough room for your kids to play for extended periods without driving you nuts. (I'm pretty sure that's why just about every house out here has a basement - lol.) When you get here, check out the library. I didn't look into the details, but it looked like they had a LOT of stuff for kids to do.

Here's a preview of what the wind is like a lot of the time:


That reminds me - you will need to get cold-weather windshield washer fluid. Be sure to do that, because you WILL need it, and if you don't change what you have, it will freeze. That reminds me of another thing - get used to your car being dirty for months. There's no point in washing it in the winter.

Good luck with your move. I hope you like it here as much as I do!

[WyoMama]

What do you use for window washer in your vehicle in warm weather??? I thought they were all anti-freeze solutions!!!! But I have always lived up north. Yep - I-80 gets closed a LOT (often only for a few hours) as does I-25. You can get stranded in Cheyenne & no way out except south thru Greeley Colo or Happy Jack SOMETIMES towards Laramie. So, you do need to be prepared for not getting back home all the time - extra money for motel rooms, food (take some & $$ for more if you get stranded in town), etc. Every winter is different & Wyo is DEFINITELY a place to be ready for anything in any part of the state. Sierra Trading Post (www.sierratradingpost.com) has great discounted winter gear - everything needed. It is based in Cheyenne - distribution ctr & the largest store - and there is one in Cody, Boise, & Reno. I where I work. Shop carefully & you can get some really great discounts on winter wear & there is a place on the site called "buying guides" teaching you how to dress in layers to stay warm yet not overheated that leads to sweating & hypothermia. Have fun - you'll be fine. All just common sense. That pic posted by CM is not a bad day on the road - you can see in front of the vehicles!