New Mexico Bowl - Albuquerque, NM, Dec 19, 2009

When Wyoming beat Colorado State for the Bronze Boot, they clinched a Bowl game since the MWC had 5 bowl slots committed to. It was almost a given they would end up in Albuquerque, but there was some question as to whether there might be some deal reached to send them elsewhere. So, we had to wait until Dec 6th to find out. It was made official and I bought plane tickets and hotel accommodations that night to go, with the game tickets being purchased the next day. I was going to the New Mexico Bowl!

I left Saturday morning on a 6:45 AM flight through Phoenix on US Airways. Southwest, my preferred airline, was $50 more expensive on a less that 2 week notice trip. I arrived at 11:15 AM or so, had just a carry-on, so I quickly went to the cab stand and took a cab to check into my hotel at the Homewood Suites, then catch a ride to the Stadium for the Wyoming pre-game. I met up with Todd G., an old friend from Riverton, and his friends. It was a good lunch from El Pinto, with lots of Coors Light. The game started at 2:30 local time. Wyoming had traveled well, with at least 8-10K fans in attendance. Fresno State, not so well. I tried to find an old Riverton HS friend who works for the FSU athletic department, Steve W., but he was in the press booth. I dropped my name for people who claimed to know him, so I hope he got the message.

Wyoming won their second bowl game since I have been following them! It was a double OT thriller.

Afterwards, I joined my wife's Aunt Nancy for the New Mexico Lobos basketball game against Creighton. They came from behind to win as well!

To top off the night, we went to dinner at Yanni's, where we sat close to Bill Richardson while having a spectacular stuffed flounder dinner. I went back to the hotel, surfed the web for stories on the game, then went to sleep. I had a 8:40 AM flight back to Orange County, so no late night partying for me. I got up, printed my boarding pass, and flew home. A great trip!