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
Slovenia, Kranj Prov, Slovenian Girls
Singapore, Singapore, Lizard
Zambia, Victoria Falls B&W, 2000 - Of all the great falls, Angel, Igua?u, Niagara, etc., I found Victoria Falls to be the most visually spectacular.
Cambodia, Kampong Chaam Prov, Lotus Flower
Composite of Soaps that Landed Stuck on their Sides, 2010/2014 USA, Singapore, Laos - Happenstance
Laos, Sekong Prov, Waterfall
Solomon Is, Kwaio Woman Weaving Straw, 1982 - This woman seemed curious about one of our possessions, so we handed it to her. She took this to mean that we gave it to her. The Melanesian people were generally very generous with possessions, possibly an outgrowth of the wantok system. Wantok came from the words "One Talk", meaning one's villagers or greater family. I was told that a person's wealth was based not on how much they had, but how much they had given away. This was a revelation to me. I realized that we strive so much not only to have, but to impress others and to gain their approbation. I developed the concept of Status Structure. Beyond the essentials of survival, people are motivated by what increases their status. So, depending on the Status Structure of their society, one would be motivated in very different ways. Whether the idea that one's wealth was determined by what they had given away was true or not is secondary. What is important is to realize how much nicer our human world would be if we held and lived out the belief that giving was greater than having.
Latvia, Riga City Prov, Old Woman Dancing -
Seram, Spider, 2006 - This species of spider was prevalent in the Kanikeh-Roho area of Seram. The specimen shown here is large, but not an adult. The adult grows to about four inches across. 
Falkland Is, Pheasant Pair, 2002 - These gorgeous birds were in a grassy area on the water in Stanley, Falkland Islands. Diary entry: I walked back on a perfect afternoon, sun, wind, the sound of the church bells ringing for minutes, many Upland Goose near cemetery, distant mountains across the bay. It was so lovely, I thought, "All the things in life which are really valuable are not countable."