Greetings from beautiful Glendale, Arizona!

Flying WVs are beginning to dot the landscape at airports across the country as Mountaineers make their way to the 2008 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl.

The WVU Alumni Association travel trip left North Central West Virginia at 7 a.m. aboard a full Boeing 737. The airport terminal in Bridgeport has become a favorite for many Mountaineer travelers due to its easy access and central location.

As expected, most everyone had their new West Virginia gear on thanks to the holiday season. A few cowboy hats and boots also were seen boarding the plane which added to the upcoming experience of the southwest.

Familiar faces from across the state were a part of the travel party. Mike and Heather Garrison, WVU’s first couple, and their two daughters accompanied Mountaineer fans on the trip. WVU Board of Governors Vice Chair Robert Wells of Baltimore, board member Ted Mattern and his wife Becky also were part of the travel group, as well as Academy of Distinguished Alumni inductee Dr. James Caveney, his wife Karen of Wheeling, and long-time alumni leaders Ed and Elrose Smith of Keyser.

As promised, a full shipment of pepperoni rolls was delivered to the plane thanks to David Alvarez, Manny Alvarez, and Billy Pulice of Bridgeport.

Other seasoned travelers headed to the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl with the group were John and Sherra Shumate of Oak Hill, Samme Gee of Charleston, Dennis and Nancy Moulder of Cross Lanes, Dean and Patsy Rogers of Fairmont, as well as Morgantown Mountaineers Dana and Phil Weser, John and Anita Fleming, and Christie Cavallaro.

Ted Lawson of National Travel will be attending his 16th bowl game, while WVU Foundation President Wayne King and his wife, Mary, will be cheering for the team for the first time.

When we left today it was a cool 28 degrees, so our travelers are looking forward to enjoying a few days in the arid and sunny desert climate. Well, it has been an early day for all of us (including some who have been up since 4 a.m.), so it looks like a siesta is in order for all! Let’s Go Mountaineers!