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, Shan Prov, Street Scene
Latvia, Preilu Prov, Church -
Telly (José Luis Rodríguez Castillo) first pointed the Bactrophora Dominans out to me as we moved upriver in our raft. I photographed then collected this remarkable insect deep within the Meseta de Ichúm. (I was carrying vials and preservative alcohol for the collection of insects.) I later showed the photo to famed Venezuelan explorer, Charles Brewer-Carias. He took an interest in it, then assembled a team of entomologists, who identified it as the only specimen of B. Dominans ever found in Venezuela. A paper was published in Check List, the journal of biodiversity data in 2015.
Uruguay, Lucia's Body, 1993 - After walking twenty five miles down the Horcones Valley after my Aconcagua climb, I caught a van to Mendoza. I was dropped off at the bus station. The seats were sold out on the night ride to Montevideo, but the stewardesses offered to let me sit in one of their seats. I got a ride in the front of the bus. As I took off my shoes I noticed that my feet reeked from the walk. I washed them at the first stop that night. When Lucia sat next to me, the first words out of my mouth were, "Te quiero (I love you)." She walked away. The next day as we were approaching Montevideo, I made some excuse to get her phone number. When I called, she was not eager to meet me. I just about gave up, when, in a subsequent phone call, she and I made an arrangement to spend my last night in Uruguay together.
Nepal, Yeti Tea Shop, 1983 - Here is a simple photograph, a small sign indicating a tea shop near Kala Patar in the Solo Khumbu. Notably, the name of the tea shop is the "Yeti." Yeti is the local name for what we know as the Abominable Snowman. Ancient lore in this part of the world refers to the Yeti. (Supposedly, in Pangboche, not far from this tea shop, there was a Yeti scalp on display!) Many people, including Judith, the Dutch woman who I wooed there, believe in the Yeti to this day. Note the sign. This is the way to Everest Base Camp.
Taiwan, Penghu Prov, Stone House - Can you rely on the stories of others, or do you think it is better to go out and see and decide for yourself?
Bangladesh, Kishorenganj Prov, Basket Pots
Vietnam, Yen Bai Prov, Boat
UK, Scotland, Irvine, Robert Louis Stevenson's House, 2003 - The brick house second from the right was a place where Robert Louis Stevenson, the poet, lived for some time. This is in an allley in the town of Irvine, in Scotland.
N Ireland, Coleraine Prov, Coastal Village