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
Vietnam, Thua Thien-Hue Prov, Night Shrine Detail
South Georgia, Gold Harbor, Penguin Buddha, 2006 - Because of the position of its mate, this King Penguin appears to have a belly like a Buddha.
Turkey, Afyon Prov, Lake Acigol
Slovenia, Kocevje Prov, Hay Balls
Cambodia, Banteay Mean Chey Prov, Captive Ducks
USA, AZ, Grand Canyon, Cactus Hair, 1988 - This is a close-up of the purple cactus shown in another photograph on this site. Nature small and large is amazing.
Dalai Lama Speaking in front of Seven Summits Banner, 1996
USA, California Province (State) - This flag was designed for me by John Dugger of Banner Arts. (Photo by others. Name un- known.) For my project, Seven Summits for a Free Tibet, banner maker John Dugger designed a flag. (Glen Gilbert suggested I do the project.) The symbol in the middle is the Sanskrit letter A, which symbolizes Ahimsa, representing the Dalai Lama’s dream of Tibet as a World Zone of Peace. The flag also depicts seven mountains, symbolizing the Seven Summits - the highest mountain on each continent. In the likeness of the flag, John made a banner that was used a backdrop for the Dalai Lama’s speech at the August 1, 1996 American Himalayan Foundation dinner in Beverly Hills. My dream of World Parks, vast natural reserves on each continent, embraces Tibet as a candidate area. See www.worldparksinc.com.
Thailand, Uttaradit Prov, Landscape
Congo Zaire, Sweeping Maggots off a Monkey (to Eat), 1984 - This photo is quite hard to believe, but true. The passengers on the Congo riverboat bought monkeys from village vendors who came to us on their canoes. These monkeys were thrown into the (questionably) refrigerated hull without packaging. Maggots infested the monkey carcasses. Rather than throw them away, the thrifty passengers, such as this man here, simply brushed the maggots off the monkeys, took them home, cooked them, then ate them! I was incredulous. I still am!
Slovenia, Kozje Prov, Chateau Above