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, Ribnica Prov, Ant On Blossom
Morocco, Inside Berber Home In Atlas, 1988 - I was welcomed to stay in the houses of the Berber inhabitants of the Toubkal area. This room is built with thick walls to protect against the cold in the winter and the heat of summer. Designs were painted on the walls.
Slovenia, Celje Prov, Oaza Prekorje
Grisel, 1998
Cuba, Havana Province - 35mm film
Turkey, Ankara Prov, Housing Development
Slovenia, Kidricevo Prov, Bottle Propeller
USA, Guam, Mountains
Nepal, Chitwan, Rhino I Approached on Foot, 1984 - Gabrielle, Ed and I were in a machan in Chitwan National Park in southern Nepal near the border with India. Chitwan is famed for its large population of Indian One-Horned Rhinocerous. I told Gabrielle and Ed I was going down on the ground to get a close-up of the rhino. When I got to the base of the machan, they called down to me not to go near her, as she had a baby. I thought they were just trying to scare me from going, so I crept closer. When I was within about twenty-five feet of her, I saw the baby rhino. As the camera shutter snapped, the rhino reared her head. As rhinocerous are almost blind but with an acute sense of hearing, she listened to assess the danger. I had two choices: stand still or run barefoot. I chose to run. So did the rhino. She was actually running for the safety of the forest but I thought she was running after me. Fortunately she wasn't. She passed me going off in a slightly different direction. Rhinos run faster than humans. I wrote, "I felt, for the first time in my life, afraid for my life, afraid for my life because of a wild beast."
Turkey, Adiyaman Prov, Valley North Of Adiyaman
Greenland, Constable Pynt, Liverpool Land, Chikka, 2006 -Chikka was the dog that protected Constable Pynt from bears. Constable Pynt is the airport that we flew into from Iceland and from there we flew by helicopter to Warming Island. In this photograph, Chikka follows me on a walk high up into the hills above Constable Pynt. Chikka was immediately likeable, everyone's best friend. This local dog, bred for sled-hauling, had an immense energy and was inspiring.