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
Estonia, Hiumaa Prov, Ferry Leaving Shore -
Turkey, Eskisehir Prov, Landscape
Congo Zaire, Children Being Goofy, 1984 - When I arrived in Zaire (now called the Democratic Republic of Congo), I had expected the people to be unhappy based on the conditions they lived under. On the contrary, despite the hardships of day to day life, the people were friendly and seemed to have a joie de vivre. The first day, these children made me laugh and touched my heart.
Azerbaijan, Qax Prov, Sheep
Myanmar, Shan Prov, Farmers
N Ireland, Banbridge Prov, Town
Greenland, Warming Island, off coast of Liverpool Land, The Team of (L to R) John Rudolph, John Collins Rudolph, Dennis Schmitt, Eric Ristau, and Jeff Shea, 2006 - Left to right are John Rudolph, his son, John Collins Rudolph, Dennis Schmitt (the discoverer of Warming Island), Eric Ristau (the expedition's film maker) and myself, Jeff Shea. Behind and below us in the distance is the strait forming the new island. The continuity of the waterway is visually interrupted by the mountain forming the three pinnalced peaks above John Rudolph's head, but the waterway itself is continuous.
Slovenia, Race Fram Prov, Laundry Drying
Peru, Lilly, Gary Cappa, Monyo And Jeff Shea, 1979 - In 1979, I went on my second great adventure: travelling mostly by land from the USA to Argentina. Gary and I met Lilly and Monyo from Lima. Lilly was his girlfriend and Monyo was mine. They treated us like kings. The only problem was that, being a good Catholic girl, I never "knew" Monyo in the 'biblical sense.' Gary complained of the same problem with Lilly. They were affectionate but it only went so far. After I returned to the USA, Monyo's letters seemed to indicate a greater willingness, but I never saw her again. Monyo's name was really Mono with a tilde over the n. (Photo 110 format from Jeff Shea Travel Archives)
USA, Wake Island, Birds Terns