Adventures with BeeGee

Long-Term Review of the REI Elements Rain Jacket I purchased this jacket in 2012 for a trip to Peru and have used it many times on the trail or on rainy days when I need to take the dogs out for a potty break. The REI Elements Rain Jacket, now known as the REI Ultra-Light Jacket , is a lightweight, 2.5-layer, waterproof, breathable, coated shell that weighs 16 ounces. The jacket works great as a rain jacket, wind jacket, or for warmth as an outer layer. Wearing my REI Elements Rain Jacket on a rainy day in Peru Construction The Elements Rain Jacket is made of diamond-ripstop nylon and is waterproof, breathable, and windproof up to 60 mph. The seams are sealed, the zipper features a bonded placket with securing snaps, and the shell is DWR coated. Additionally, the jacket features 2-way stretch for enhanced comfort and multiple pockets for easy access to your equipment. Another set of nice features is the design to help keep heat in: the hood is fully adjustable (i...

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...

Hiking the 10 miles into Havasupai isn’t just a walk in the park—it’s a descent into a remote desert oasis where your gear is your lifeline. Once you hike down those switchbacks, there is no turning back to grab something you forgot. The heat is intense, the dust is everywhere, and the water crossings can wreck your feet if you aren’t prepared. After months of planning and testing, I dialed in my loadout for our 2026 trip. Some items were absolute heroes (saving me weight and stress), while others... well, let's just say I have some regrets. Below is the complete breakdown of everything I carried, from my sleep system to the camera gear I used to document the adventure. What I Wore (The Desert Uniform) The hike in is hot, dry, and exposed. My goal here was sun protection without overheating. The Altra Lone Peak 9s were the MVP of this trip—the wide toe box let my feet expand in the heat, preventing blisters even after miles of pounding downhill. Pants: REI Co-op Sahara Convertibl...