This website illuminates my life and adventures. My longing for freedom has led me to over 2600 of the world’s 3978 provinces, to every country on earth and to the summit of the highest peak on each continent (thank heaven for good weather!). In my travels, I learned to respect the intelligence and ingenuity of people of all races and callings both past and present. Come see the world as I see it: as a peaceful place, full of nature and beauty. With the right spirit and intent, we can make our world a virtual Garden of Eden.
DISTINCTIONS: BBC 2017 Travel Pioneer • Journal Articles • Explorer’s Club Flag Expeditions
World Parks Project • Walk Across South America • Jeff Shea Travel Map
Myanmar, Yangon Prov, Budda
Slovenia, Miren-Kostanjevica Prov, Peach Leaves
Estonia, Saaremaa Prov, Crater Hole -
Cambodia, Krong Preah Sihanouk Prov, Small Shrine
Sea Ice, 2007 Arctic Ocean
Trinidad, Girls In Rain, 1997 - On one of my many visits to Trinidad, I traveled south one day with my then-girlfriend, Nicole. These girls walked in the rain. For me, it was an evocative scene. I was never one to let weather influence me as to when I went to a place. I figure that all weather is a valid view of a country, so why only go when the weather is good?! 
Solomon Is, Kwaio Woman Weaving Straw, 1982 - This woman seemed curious about one of our possessions, so we handed it to her. She took this to mean that we gave it to her. The Melanesian people were generally very generous with possessions, possibly an outgrowth of the wantok system. Wantok came from the words "One Talk", meaning one's villagers or greater family. I was told that a person's wealth was based not on how much they had, but how much they had given away. This was a revelation to me. I realized that we strive so much not only to have, but to impress others and to gain their approbation. I developed the concept of Status Structure. Beyond the essentials of survival, people are motivated by what increases their status. So, depending on the Status Structure of their society, one would be motivated in very different ways. Whether the idea that one's wealth was determined by what they had given away was true or not is secondary. What is important is to realize how much nicer our human world would be if we held and lived out the belief that giving was greater than having.
Myanmar, Kachin Prov, Detail River Scene
Day 12: Looking East from Estación Imilac, 2012 Chile, Antofagasta Province (Región)
Singapore, King Of Saxony Bird Of Paradise, Jurong Bird Park, 2008, IMG_9488 - Twenty five years earlier, the highlanders of New Guinea wore the feathers of the King of Saxony bird of paradise in their headdress. This elusive bird is most easily seen at the Jurong Bird park. But even then, such a view requires patience. Their feathers, when viewed up close, are remarkable, each "branch" in itself comprised of smaller versions of itself.