Susan and I will frequently drive in a light rain with the sunroof open.

I usually don't have time for fun stuff. Normally I get in later on Sunday evening and leave early (before dinner) on Tuesday. I stay in Ankeny as it is closer to the plant I am visiting and have found a favorite BBQ restaurant there (Bandanas).

And in case I miss saying it later, thank you to everyone who contributed - it has been a big help!

I recommend the red ones.

:decap:

As a fellow polar bear my biggest concern is how much they heat up interior spaces when it's cold out. Drives me nuts to get so hot inside. So while longjohns could very well come in handy, being an undergarment it's less easy to peel them off. I'd say at least get the bottom half, since there are only so many layers that can be added to our legs. The top is up to you. Might be good to have just in case, but in general you will probably prefer to have short sleeves under a big jacket or sweatshirt then jacket. So when you get inside, you can regulate your body temp by going down to shirtsleeves (should balance out the longjohns on your legs)

I'm rambling, but you get the picture.

I like bleu cheese for any kind of weather.

Even I don't wear long johns and I'm quite thermally challenged.

Warmer socks, shoes with treads, a hat, gloves and a scarf. (If it were me, I'd add "layers" and a warm, ass-covering coat.)

Thinsulate.

I very quickly learned about that when I moved up there for those couple crazy years.

I have still have my thinsulate parka you can borrow, if you like. It's green and not girly. And, if you get too warm, the thinsulate layer comes out.

I like ice cream in cold weather.

Layers.

Honestly, I should get Jason in on this thread. This is the first year in about a decade that he hasn't been in Iowa during February (yes, this will be our first Valentine's Day together). It's almost too bad... the two of you could have met up!