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
Route Map Across the Atacama, 2012
Chile, Antofagasta Province (Región)
In 2012, I walked across the Atacama desert. For the first nine days, I was accompanied by writer/journalist John H. Richardson. This trip was designed to link the coast of South America at Antofagasta, Chile to Socaire, my starting point two years earler on my walk across the South American Altiplano. (See song Over for further explanation.) John and I pulled carts with water in them. Lots of water. We each started with 140 liters, which weighs 140 kilograms or 308 pounds of water in each cart. As soon as we hit sandy road, much of this was jettisoned. John and I had philosophical discussions on the way.
Papua New Guinea, Flying Foxes At Market, 1983 - Flying foxes, or fruit bats, are sold in the market as food for consumption.
Vietnam, BinhPhuoc Prov, Statue
Turkey, Istanbul Prov, Black Sea Coast
Easter Island, Moai In A Row, 1997 - These fantastic Moai are the hallmark of Easter Island. As stunning as these Moai are, there is evidence of even taller Moai buried in the ground, yet to be excavated.
Turkey, Mus Prov, Mount Suphan Dagi
Slovenia, Jesenice Prov, Windows
Congo Zaire, Barge Hits Land, 1984 - The river boat plying down to Kinshasa, with all its attendant barges tied on, hit an island in the middle of the river, causing curiosity among the passengers. The captain backed her off and continued down river.
Uruguay, Train Station, 1993 - There was something sort of other-worldly about Uruguay, as if lost in some soft of a time vacuum. It seems there was some history within the recesses of my mind that connected me with the place. On the way back to Montevideo from Mirador Nacional and the beaches to the east, I was inspired to write the lyrics to Sky Tender.
Latvia, Jekabpils Prov, Sunset Against River -