Auckland to Gunnison

After three fabulous weeks in New Zealand, two on the South Island with our kids, and one on the North Island by ourselves, Mary and I bid adieu at Auckland Internation Airport. She caught her flight to LA and I caught mine to San Francisco.

Flying Auckland to Gunnison

I left Auckland at 3pm on Monday and, 13 hours later, arrived in San Francisco as the sun rose at 7am the same day. All my connections were tight with no time to waste. Luckily all my flights were on time! I quickly cleared customs at San Francisco International Airport and boarded my flight for Denver. That flight took me directly over Lake Tahoe, at the California/Nevada border, then Vernal, Utah before landing at Denver International Airport.

My flight from Denver to Gunnison was beautiful! I've probably flown over the Colorado Rockies hundreds of times on big airplanes at high altitudes. My flight out of Gunnison three weeks earlier was on a small plane at low altitude but it was dark. This flight, in early afternoon daylight, made me feel like I was on a scenic tour of the Colorado Rockies! I was on the left side of the airplane with views toward the south as we passed over Golden, Leadville, and Blue Mesa Reservoir before landing at Gunnison Regional Airport. A beautiful end to an amazing trip!

You can view the Wheels Up for New Zealand 2026 trip page to see all my blog posts, photos, and Wanderlog info.