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, Girl Painted Face
Vietnam, TienGiang Prov, BoatHouseScene
Ship on River Lena, 2009
Russia, Sakha Province (Oblast), Russian Far North East Trip to Tiksi, Yakutsk and the Road of Bones 2009
Slovenia, Novo Mesto Prov, Farmland
Solomon Islands, Umbuni and Family, 1982 - Here, Umbuni stands with his wife and child. Kwaio women who were married wore a blue cloth over their genitals, whereas unmarried young women went naked. We learned a lot about the traditions of the Kwaio from David and Katie, Peace Corp workers who lived in the Kwaio. David and Katie seemed to half-believe in the ancestors themselves. Maybe they too could feel the presence of the ancestors at night. I almost felt I could. When in areas of the world where beliefs run strong, it is hard not to feel these local energies, no matter how unexplained they might be. The Kwaio had unusual beliefs, and there were many taboos, or tambus. Woman went to the "flower house" during their menstruation. It was tambu for a man to go there. Women were not allowed to step over anything that a man might come in contact with. Interestingly, they believed in "retroactive contamination." As an example of this principle, if a man touched an implement before a woman who was menstruating touched it, then she touched it later, he would become retroactively contaminated.
"Uganda, Mountains of the Moon, Peak, 1984 - On September 26, 1984 at Nyabitaba Hut (2651m), I wrote, ""The trail is ?real bush,? the first such kind since New Guinea."" This photograph shows the ruggedness of the terrain in the Ruwenzoris. On September 30, 1984, I wrote, ""On my way past the Granite of immense proportion to Mt. Baker, I heard the terrifying whir of a rock the size of a soccer ball dropping 500 meters. I turned away as it smashed a giant groundsel down. I flailed for cover. Painful toes to Kitandara, Gabrielle proposes marriage to me. Evening drying clothes and eating. Made love. It?s all good!""
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Slovenia, Bled Prov, Clarinets
Slovenia, Logatec Prov, Village
Bangladesh, Brahmanbaria Prov, Straw Cones
Latvia, Valka Prov, Landscape -