The Maiden of the Rock: A Deep Dive into Xunantunich Mayan Ruins in Belize

By -
Image
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 the dri...
Post a Comment

Gear Review: GPS App Recommendations

By -

3 Outstanding GPS Apps for Smartphones

Editor's Note: A 2025 Update

This post was originally published in 2017 as a look back at the state of GPS apps at the time. Please be aware that Google My Tracks and Endomondo have both been discontinued. Although this review is no longer relevant to modern-day app choices, it highlights the evolution of technology within the outdoor community. Today, I use AllTrails, Gaia GPS, and Strava for my tracking solutions.

For most people, smartphones have become a vital tool for embarking on adventures.  Most smartphones now include a camera, GPS functionality, a music player, and a phone.  The big benefit is significantly decreasing the amount of gadgets and electronics you need to take with you when adventuring. 

As smartphones continue to get smarter, the number of amazing GPS/tracker apps just keeps increasing.  While I haven’t used all of the GPS apps out there (probably not possible), I have used 3 apps frequently for shorter duration adventures:  Google My Tracks, Endomondo, and Strava.  These apps work great for road cycling, mountain biking, or day hikes that are under 6 hours.  Anything much longer and my phone will run out of juice. 

Google My Tracks

When I began mountain biking in North Carolina, I quickly realized I needed a GPS tracking app to track basic data. Plus, it’s nice to know where you’ve been and how to get back.  I started with My Tracks because of its ease of use and simple design.  Moreover, it records only path, speed, distance, and elevation.  My Tracks has almost no bells and whistles.  There are no social media sharing options, nor is there a sense of community.  However, you can export your track as a .gpx, .kml, or .tcx file, as well as watch your ride in Google Earth.  If all you care about is tracking your own data, then this is probably the app for you. My Tracks is available on Android (there is a version available for iOS, but it's not a Google Product).  

The simple interface of Google My Tracks app
The simple interface of Google My Tracks

Endomondo

The next GPS app I stumbled onto was Endomondo, mainly because it was more social-oriented and tracks various sports (like running, cycling, and squash).  You can share your activities on Facebook, and your friends can watch your progress live.  Additionally, Endomondo records more data points, including distance, duration, average and maximum speeds, calories, altitude, ascent, and descent.  Another nice feature is the ability to integrate this app with third-party apps.  If you use other apps, such as FitBit or MyFitnessPal, Endomondo will automatically export your data.  Furthermore, if you use a Bluetooth-enabled heart rate monitor like FitBit’s, you can connect that with Endomondo as well.  Finally, Endomondo hosts frequent challenges to push you to exercise more. 

Tracking a run using the Endomondo app
Tracking a run using the Endomondo app

I ended up upgrading to Endomondo Pro specifically for the battery-saving mode.  Unfortunately, this really didn’t work on my phone.  It used pretty much the same amount of battery, while decreasing GPS accuracy.  If you need an app that is social and integrates with many other apps, Endomondo is probably the GPS app for you.  Endomondo is available on Android and iOS. 

Strava

I ended up using Strava because I liked the challenges and the king of the mountain (KOM) feature.  Strava also tracks multiple activities, but not as many as Endomondo.  Additionally, it enables you to record the equipment you used, such as the shoes you ran in or the bike you rode.  Strava records a large amount of data, including distance, total duration, moving duration, average and maximum speeds, calories, altitude, ascent, descent, and estimated power.  Furthermore, Strava is very social.  You can share your rides on social media, give kudos and interact with other users, and compete on segments against other Strava users.  Specifically, the KOM feature displays your ranking against others who are riding/running the same trails as you.  Finally, it's great to combine data to show you weekly and yearly totals.

The multiple screens available using the Strava app
The multiple screens available using the Strava app

Using Strava, I was able to significantly decrease my ride times for multiple trails in my area because I could see how others were riding the trails.  This forced me to push myself harder. Additionally, I was able to compare my weekly and yearly statistics to those of my competitors, which enabled me to spend more time on the bike.  Strava is available on Android and iOS.

Final Thoughts

If all you need is a simple GPS tracking app, then My Tracks is likely your best option.  If you enjoy being social and integrating with third-party apps, then Endomondo is the ideal choice.  If you are like me — data-minded and a bit competitive — then Strava might be the best fit for you. 

What other GPS apps have you used, and which is your all-time favorite? If you like the blog, go ahead and follow us on Facebook.

Jarrett Morgan

Comments

  1. JenDecember 11, 2014 at 10:20 PM

    I have a Garmin watch somewhere. I should use it more often. On my phone I use the navigation app that came preinstalled.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Trip Report: Sherwood Forest Faire

By -
Image
First Time at Sherwood Forest I have recently been introduced to the fun world of renaissance festivals, so Jack and I took a trip to the Ren Faire in McDade, Texas. Upon arrival, a group of characters were handing out flyers to gain attention for their show, which happened to be called Blunt Force Drama. Once we Jack and I finally made it through the festival gates, Blunt Force was of the first shows running. So of course, we stopped there. The show is a melee fighting tournament mixed with adult humor. The show starts by picking judges from the crowd and then the fighting begins. They even have adult humor commercials while you wait for the next round. I thoroughly enjoyed the fighting and the humor, but some might find it offensive (it was pretty racy). Also, I wouldn't take kids. Once the show finished, we followed Jack's policy of taking a lap around the grounds to see what shops and shows are available. This led me to find some awesome leather armor...
Read more

Tubing Down the San Marcos River

By -
Image
Tubing Down the San Marcos River Linda here for Adventures with BeeGee. We’ve been adventuring more aggressively since the Salkantay trek. My goal this August is to continue the adventuring while catching up on blog entries to ensure we preserve these great memories. On Saturday, July 20th, Jarrett, a friend of ours, and I went tubing down the San Marcos River. I realized I had been living in Austin for almost four years now and had not done this iconic Hill Country tourist activity. To be honest, we probably hadn't done it before because I only learned how to swim last year and am not the most comfortable in the water. The San Marcos River is relatively shallow, and the heat in Texas is unbearable, so if you want to enjoy the outdoors but are uncomfortable with water, this is a great option. The water is initially cold, but once the sun comes out, it starts feeling like a great relief from just lying on your tube. If you’re comfortable with water and swimming, I su...
Read more

Trip Report: Big Bend Round 2

By -
Image
Preparing for the 100-mile Extended Mountain Loop It’s been a while, but I finally found the time to make it back out to Big Bend National Park. If you are interested in our first trip to Big Bend, you can follow along here: Big Bend 2015 . I headed out for the trip around 2 pm on December 2, 2018, for what I’ve termed the Extended Outer Mountain Loop, a 100-mile backpacking trip spanning 7 days. The plan was to meet up with my dad, Bmo, in the Chisos Mountains, cache water, and then start the adventure. Planned 7-day route for Big Bend National Park Big Bend National Park Background Location: 310, Alsate Dr, Big Bend National Park, TX 79834 Admission: $25 per vehicle, $14 campsites, $12 backcountry pass Elevation: 1,800 to 7,832 ft. Weather: Varied from rainy, cloudy, and sunny, 30 to 65°F Difficulty: Strenuous Website: https://www.nps.gov/bibe/index.htm   7 days' worth of food The Drive Out I didn't get to leave as early as I would have liked ...
Read more