2024 Year in Review

This week, I'm taking a pause from my series about the Camino de Santiago to reflect on my experiences throughout 2024. The following highlights are presented in no particular sequence.

A significant milestone for me was biking 500 miles along the Camino de Santiago, which I completed in two segments: from Le Puy en Velay, France, to Santiago, Spain. My newsletter followers are already familiar with ten newsletters I've penned about this journey, and I still have about five more to write. The image above captures a moment in Astorga, Spain.

My year was relatively low-key regarding gambling activities. I am happy to share that I received a warm welcome back to the Blackjack Ball after being barred for nearly a decade. Unfortunately, I didn’t advance beyond the initial round in the World's Greatest Blackjack Player event, which tests your knowledge of blackjack and gambling.

I’d love to share a picture from the event featuring Dr. Ed Thorp, but they enforce strict confidentiality rules.

Recently, I took a short trip back to the Trans Catalina Trail, gathering the same group of seven that hiked the entire trail together last year. This time, we opted for a loop on the eastern side of the island. The photo above was snapped at Starlight Beach, formerly the endpoint of the trail, although a rerouting means visiting this tranquil spot is no longer necessary.

Another brief adventure took me to Death Valley, where I witnessed a temporary lake that formed after an unexpected rainfall. This lake was only accessible for about a week; the high salinity allowed people to float effortlessly on its surface.

Most summers, including this one, the Wizard family makes a trip to the Family Vacation Center at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where I completed my studies. The structure behind me served as my dormitory during freshman year. I lived on the fifth floor in room 5417. A standout moment of that week occurred when I suffered a painful sting from a stingray.

I also took a trip to the Grand Canyon, a place I have visited numerous times. This visit allowed me to traverse from the South Rim to the river and back again, but I didn't feel fit enough to attempt the full crossing this time, which I have accomplished five times in the past.

On a different occasion, I managed to visit the Havasu waterfall, just after a norovirus incident at the campground. Thankfully, the area had been thoroughly cleaned, and no one fell ill during our visit.

Just upstream of the Grand Canyon lies Horseshoe Bend, where I enjoyed a two-day kayaking excursion down the river. We combined this trip with visits to the Coral Pink Sand Dunes, the Sand Caves, and yet another exploration of the Grand Canyon.

I also organized and led a three-day adventure down the Colorado River. I aim to undertake a multi-day kayaking trip each year, and I feel it's time for me to plan another one soon.

In 2024, I completed two half marathons—one in Las Vegas and another in Huntington Beach. My finishing time of around 2.5 hours reflects my slower pace compared to earlier years.

A highlight of my adventures was attempting to summit Pico de Orizaba, Mexico's tallest peak. While I didn’t quite make the summit, I reached within 200 feet of the 18,491-foot top. The photo taken at the glacier shows me at the highest altitude I’ve ever been. I also hiked Malinche, the sixth-highest mountain in Mexico, just two days prior. I'm considering returning to Mexico to explore more volcanoes and possibly tackle Orizaba again.

Sadly, we faced the loss of our cherished dog, Oliver, at the beginning of the year. Here’s a throwback to when he was a puppy in 2009.

2024 also led me to experiment with psychedelic medicine. The most unforgettable experience was traveling to Northern California for an Ayahuasca ceremony. It's challenging to express such an experience through a simple image, but here I am the day before in San Francisco. I may delve deeper into my psychedelic journey in an upcoming newsletter.

On April 8, 2024, I ventured to Waco, Texas, along with family and friends to witness the total solar eclipse. It was truly a remarkable sight. Don't forget, another eclipse will occur on August 12, 2045, crossing right over northern Nevada.

This summer also saw me revisit Washington State for a wedding in Olympia. While there, Mrs. Wizard and I took the time to explore Roslyn, Leavenworth, Seattle, and Orcas Island.

This newsletter purposely does not touch on family matters to respect the privacy of my wife and children.

In general, 2024 turned out to be a fulfilling year. I am grateful for all the adventures and vacations I had. This report does not account for numerous day trips and hikes I enjoyed around Las Vegas. I'm already brainstorming my plans for 2025, although nothing is finalized yet. Most of my travels occur during the summer, but it would be wonderful to find an escape this winter.

In closing, I hope you experienced a similarly exciting 2024 and wish you health and happiness in the year ahead, 2025.