Adventures with BeeGee

 The Wild Heart of Belize: Our Cinematic Adventure at El Pilar Mayan Ruins Every adventure has a final, unforgettable scene, and for our group—my wife Linda, our friends Eamon and Athena, and myself—that scene played out at the largely unexcavated El Pilar Mayan Ruins . Our trip to El Pilar was decided on a whim , suggested by Eamon, and turned out to be the perfect, atmospheric conclusion to our third day of exploring Belize’s ancient history. It was a journey into the wild, a true exploration, and a moment that felt more like a movie than reality. The Journey to the Unexcavated: Road Tips & Logistics The adventure began on the road. For any traveler looking to drive to El Pilar, there are crucial logistical details to keep in mind. The long road leading to the site has been recently improved to a gravel surface, but it is far from a smooth ride. Due to the constant rain in the jungle, the road was a little muddy and full of potholes. We didn't need four-wheel drive, but trave...

Texas Renaissance Festival 2025: Epic Full Day on Opening Weekend A full-day adventure at the Texas Renaissance Festival 2025 is an absolute whirlwind of excitement, food, and theatrical spectacle. As one of the world's largest and most acclaimed Renaissance Faires, TRF is a must-see event for any traveler or history enthusiast. My visit on opening weekend was a solo traveler's quest to experience every moment, from the morning cannon fire to the final Royal Fireworks display. This year marks a new era for the festival under its recent ownership, but the core magic remains—a vibrant journey back to the past. Over the course of the day, I captured over a dozen shows, explored the quiet corners of the grounds, and indulged in some of the best festival food available. This post details my favorite moments and the must-see performances that made the full-day trip worthwhile. Planning Your Visit to the Texas Renaissance Festival 2025 The Village of New Market is expansive, and tryin...

The Secret World of Cahal Pech: Navigating Belize’s Oldest Mayan Maze For any traveler seeking a genuine sense of archaeological adventure, the Mayan sites of Belize are unparalleled. But not all ruins are created equal. My wife, Linda, and our friends, Eamon and Athena, and I dedicated our third day in Belize to exploring two very different ancient cities. This post details the second stop of that day: the ancient and mysterious Cahal Pech Mayan Ruins . Setting the Scene: Our Second Stop on Day Three After a busy morning at the majestic Xunantunich, we drove the short distance to Cahal Pech, Belize’s oldest known Mayan settlement . The adventure for the four of us—Linda, Eamon, Athena, and myself—began at the entrance, where we purchased our tickets and went through the museum together. This site, however, did not have any official tour guides available like Xunantunich, so we were left to explore the grounds on our own. Once we entered the ruin grounds, we naturally split up to follo...

The Maiden of the Rock: A Deep Dive into Xunantunich Mayan Ruins in Belize Belize is a land rich with history and adventure, and for those who love to explore, its ancient Mayan ruins offer a glimpse into a world both magnificent and mysterious. My wife, Linda, and our friends, Eamon and Athena, and I dedicated our third day in Belize to exploring one of the most magnificent of these sites: Xunantunich , or " The Maiden of the Rock ." This post will serve as your comprehensive guide to this breathtaking archaeological site, sharing our firsthand experience and helping you prepare for your own unforgettable journey. The grounds are well-kept, which we noticed the moment we walked into the central plaza, and the site is much bigger than we anticipated. The Journey Begins with a Hand-Cranked Ferry Getting to Xunantunich is a part of the adventure in itself, and it’s a detail that adds to the site's remote and timeless feel. The day of our visit was incredibly sunny, and th...

 Belize’s Subterranean Secrets: An Unforgettable Cave Tubing Adventure Our trip to Belize was full of surprises, but none quite as exhilarating and unique as our cave tubing adventure. This incredible journey took us deep into the heart of the earth, floating through a mysterious underworld that has been carved out by water over thousands of years. The adventure began with a ride on a jungle bus to the Caves Branch River. From the very beginning, the experience was a blend of awesome and a little bit freaky. Floating in water so dark that you couldn't see the bottom was a bit unnerving, but thankfully, we were equipped with life vests. The sense of adventure quickly took over, and once we were settled in, it was a lot of fun. There weren't any crazy rapids or dangerous sections; it was a peaceful, steady float through a truly spectacular setting. Our hotel was also the tour group that gave us the tour, so we didn't have to worry about driving. Instead, we were picked up in ...

  Belize’s Hidden Oasis: A Journey to St. Herman’s Blue Hole National Park For the second part of our first day in Belize, we found ourselves deep in the Cayo District, just off the Hummingbird Highway, at an incredible natural wonder: St. Herman’s Blue Hole National Park. This 500-acre protected area, managed by the Belize Audubon Society, is a true jungle oasis waiting to be explored. For my companions and me, my wife Linda and our friend Eamon, our adventure here was a perfect blend of peaceful hiking, a refreshing swim, and a thrilling cave expedition. It was refreshing to go for a swim after the long caving adventure at Crystal Cave. To learn more about this tour company, you can visit their  website . For more of our Belize adventures, be sure to check out our journey to Crystal Cave ! The Walk to the Blue Hole The journey began with a tranquil walk from the parking lot along one of the park’s many natural trails. As the three of us walked through the tropical fores...

Hidden deep within the heart of the Belizean jungle, a world of ancient mystery and breathtaking natural beauty awaits. My journey to Crystal Cave, known to the Maya as Actun Tunichil Muknal, was an adventure that I shared with my wife, Linda, and our friend, Eamon. It was a trip that combined a challenging hike with a surreal descent into the Mayan underworld. The expedition began with a trek through a vibrant tropical forest under a relentless sun. The air was thick with humidity, making every step feel heavy. The trail was narrow and winding, leading us through a tapestry of lush greenery and ancient trees. Rather than talking amongst ourselves, we listened intently as our guide shared fascinating stories of the native plants and the history of the local people and the ancient Maya. We were so engrossed in the journey that we almost missed a truly unique sight: a whip scorpion, a non-venomous creature of the jungle floor. After the challenging and humid hike, we arrived at the mouth...