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
Latvia, Liepaja Prov, Rock Figures -
Slovenia, Murska Sobota Prov, Produce Market
UK, Cardiff Prov, Castle Clocktower
Turkey, Rize Prov, Shawled Woman
Cambodia, Taakaev (Takeo) Prov, Monk
Map of Northeast Portion of New Guinea
My 39-day Walk Out of the Highlands of New Guinea is shown in red on the map. The solid red represents 29 days on foot. The red/yellow band indicates the 10-day portion of the journey down the Frieda and Sepik Rivers on a raft made of logs tied together with “canta” (jungle vine).”
India, Rajasthan, Cows Working Water Well, 1984 - This photograph shows how the Rajasthani farmers used animals to pump water from their wells. Some farmers used cows, some camels and, at one well, a cow and a camel shared duties. The farmer would ride them down a slope (such as seen here) with a yoke around the animal's neck, then hop off at the bottom and lead the animal back up to the top.
Mexico, Yucatan, Chichenitza, 1993 - The Mayan ruins of the Yucatan in Mexico were phenomenal. I overheard a guide telling his group about the games they played, much like basketball, where the object was to throw the ball through a rock hoop (part of the construction that is still visible) in the wall. He said that at the end of the game, the lead player of the team would be sacrificed to the gods. The guide posed the question, 'Which player would be sacrificed to the gods, the winner or the loser? Only the best would be sacrificed!" The idea that the leader would try to win the game knowing that his fate would be death posed a somewhat humorous contradiction in my mind!
UK, Bury Prov, House
Vietnam, Can Tho Prov, Boat Vendor