Dear Life Section,
I am a freshman and it is my first winter in Pullman. I may have packed accordingly for the heat, but the only snow clothes I have are uggs and holeless jeans. Where do I buy snow gear when I do not have a car that can get me around town? I can’t keep eating from the dining hall every day. I need fresh groceries and new shoes.
Sincerely,
Cold Coug
Dear Cold Coug,
In the warmer months, it can be easy to bounce around town for your needs. You are able to rent a scooter, bike, take the bus and even walk to Rosauers with your grocery list.
When it gets below freezing, the buses get busier, the roads get slicker and hiking around town sometimes can sound like a death note. It can be hard to get around town to get to the products that you need, especially when the wind is pushing you in opposite directions.
The Pullman Transit system is your best friend; get to know it accordingly. The silver route makes a loop about every 37 minutes. It travels from popular destinations like the Chinook, the Spark, Walmart, the post office, through downtown and back to campus.
The blue route can pick you up from multiple spots on campus. Take the bus to Rosauers, shop at Palouse Treasures and have the bus pick you back up after lunch at Taco Bell. There is a convenient bus stop right next to it.
Although at times it can be 15 minutes late with no place to sit, try to be patient. Refresh and pay attention to your Pullman Bus Beacon app. Catching the bus can sometimes feel like catching a shooting star; one minute the bus is five miles down the street, and the next thing you know, you have already missed the bus.
Utilize the transportation that is covered in your tuition to finally mail your graduation cards, stock up on groceries and shop for new winter clothes. Living in Pullman, you will quickly learn that the local Walmart is always going to be there for you. It’s reliable, massive and sadly the only option in town for a full winter outfit.
On the bright side of living in a town with sparse clothing store options, almost everything can be found in one place. Purchase wool-lined snow boots, an insulated jacket and waterproof gloves for when it finally snows. Trust me, when it snows, you are not going to want to use fabric gloves. Splurge on clothing products that are going to keep you warm and dry during the colder months.
Not only is it important to stock up on warm clothes, but it is also important to purchase items that are the joys of the colder months. Hot chocolate with whipped cream is a trustworthy heat source, plus they taste amazing too. Hand warmers are perfect for long walks across campus: open them, shake them and your hand warmers will immediately start warming up your pockets.
The crown jewel of staying warm for the winter is heated blankets. Available online and at most retailers, heated blankets are the key to living in Pullman. Turn on your heated blanket, hop in the shower, and then once you are freezing yet clean, your bed will be perfectly preheated for a warm night’s rest.
If you want more of a relaxing afternoon that supports local businesses and the environment, Palouse Treasures is close to campus and has all of the gear your heart desires. From snow boots to waterproof pants and skis, there are winter options all over the two-story building. If you are lucky, you may be able to grab a $5 sled before it is the most desired thing in Pullman when it finally snows.
If you need an alternative, the most accessible yet expensive option is the Bookie. Located in the CUB, you can purchase Lululemon long johns, a warm hat and an overpriced raincoat, all decked out in Cougar swag. You do not have to travel far for this option, but you should expect to walk out of there paying over $200 for a full outfit.
While you may not be well prepared for the winter, you should be prepared to haul all of your new winter clothes home. Grocery stores in town will offer you paper bags, and most do not have handles. Save yourself the ripped bags and invest in a reusable plastic bag.
If hiking across town to get what you need sounds like your worst nightmare, that is understandable. It’s hard to get around town without a car. If you have a friend with a car, offer them a sweet drink or lunch in exchange for a ride to the store.
While it may feel like you are stuck on campus at times, do not fear. Those who live on campus are actually at an advantage when it snows, walking over to your favorite dining hall or Einstein’s Bagels for a warm meal.
Amazon Prime can deliver what you need within a day, but it does not create as great a story as taking a Pullman bus for 40 minutes. Sit back, relax and enjoy the beauty of an accessible community.
Support the Pullman economy, local businesses and utilize what your tuition pays for. Pullman may be small, but there are options and ways for everyone to be happy in the cold.
