At the age of 85, Joy Ryan from Duncan Falls, Ohio, had never witnessed the grandeur of the ocean or mountains. But now, at 93 years old, she has embarked on an extraordinary adventure, visiting every nook and cranny of the United States by exploring all 63 U.S. National Parks. This incredible journey was undertaken alongside her grandson, Brad Ryan, who was initially inspired to travel with his beloved grandmother in 2015.
Brad revealed to CBS News in October 2022 that upon realizing his grandmother had never had the opportunity to explore the magnificent landscapes of America—such as deserts and mountains—he felt compelled to step in and ensure she didn’t miss out. Joy, on the other hand, admitted that her past travels had been confined to fishing expeditions, with her husband taking her to Okeechobee every winter.
Brad recounted that their transformative journey commenced with a visit to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which ignited a brilliant idea within him. He elaborated, saying, “As I immersed myself in extensive research on the parks and realized their proximity to one another, the concept of completing this monumental loop became an obsession. Thoughts of witnessing Grandma Joy’s awe at Old Faithful, experiencing her wonder in the presence of the Redwoods, and sharing the majestic splendor of the Grand Canyon with her consumed my mind. It was a crucial mission that would forge everlasting memories for my own enduring happiness. Our mutual longing for travel, adventure, and connection truly forged a bond between us
The duo was meticulous in their planning of road trips, with the aim of visiting multiple parks during each excursion. During their interview with CBS News in 2022, they happily reported that they had successfully checked off 62 parks from their list. While their travels encompassed thrilling adventures such as whale watching in the Channel Islands and marvelling at the towering trees in the Redwood Forest, they found some of their most cherished moments to be the ones spent together inside the car.
Brad shared, “As we embarked on our journeys, our conversations delved into deeply personal aspects of our lives. Joy opened up and shared things she had never spoken about before, revealing the challenges she faced during her 80s and 90s. In return, I shared my own trials and tribulations. There’s something about the open road that unlocks these memories as we continue to drive forward.” Despite being 93 years old, Joy, who has three children and four grandchildren, proved she could keep up with Brad’s pace during mountain hikes. When asked about her secret to staying active, she responded, “Well, I suppose being optimistic helps. You need the determination to do it, and I’ve been fortunate in my health, which has allowed me to keep going.”
Brad proudly recounted an exhilarating experience, saying, “At the age of 91, she went white water rafting, conquering Class three rapids. She displayed more courage than I did.” Finally, after an extraordinary adventure, their 63rd and final destination was the National Park of American Samoa. Located approximately 6,700 miles from their home in Ohio, this unique park served as a symbolic conclusion to their journey.
Brad expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “It’s the only U.S. National Park situated south of the equator, in the South Pacific. Despite the long journey, we are thrilled to be here.” The decision to conclude their expedition in American Samoa was deliberate. Brad explained, “In addition to enjoying the beautiful beaches and tropical paradise, we discovered that the island community of American Samoa strongly values family connections. Ending our journey here holds a poetic beauty.”
This week, the duo reached the remote Pacific Island, which lies over 3,600 miles off the coast of Australia and successfully accomplished their remarkable goal.