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
Brunei Darussalam, Belait Prov, Crab
UK, Sefton Prov, Landscape
Seram, Frog And Spider, 2006 - Upriver from Kaifin, in the area of Seti in northern Seram, we waited for the Suku Terasing, or lost tribe. It was frustrating. We needed water and I wanted to go with the guides from Seti Mulemet. We walked up a bed of a small dry streamlet. There we found small pools of water. There was a frog that was so small it was unbelievable. We put her on a rock. Along came a spider. The spider looks as if it had three eyes! The spider dwarfed the frog in this rather rare scene.
Turkey, Nevsehir Prov, Cappadocia Uchisar
Flamingos in Flight, 2010
Chile, Antofagasta Province (Región)
To get a photo of the flamingos was not easy. They were far away and easily startled when I tried to get closer to them. My method of photographing animals is to approach them very slowly, not moving left nor right nor up nor down. True especially of birds, animals tend to look from only one eye. If moving slowly directly toward their line of vision, they are unsure if you are an an animal of prey or a fixed object.
Slovenia, Kranjska Gora Prov, Mountain Scene
Cambodia, Baat Dambang Prov, Landmine Victim
Nepal, Ama Dablam, 1983 - Ama Dablam is said to be one of the most beautiful mountains in the world. It was on the back of the Nepali one rupee note. I met a man who had just climbed this peak, a difficult climb at that. He had slipped and saved his life by reaching out and grabbing a rock on his way down. I asked him why he risked his life. His reply stuck with me to this day. He said that after an experience like that, his life was worth ten times more. Many years later I was able to have a similar sensation. Risking my life on Everest was like going through a portal into a new reality. Life is not always about being safe. Doing things without a "safety net" could be a growth experience. This is not only true about climbing. This principle can be applied to daily life and to emotional experience, like allowing oneself to fall in love.
Latvia, Cesu Prov, Square -
World Map with the Altiplano shown in red Chile-Peru-Bolivia