93-year-old grandmother and grandson visit their 63rd national park

A 93-year-old grandmother and her grandson have completed their goal of visiting all 63 national parks in eight years. 

Joy and Brad Ryan, 42, from Duncan Falls, Ohio, first began their quest to visit all the national parks in the country in 2015. 

Before beginning their adventure, Grandma Joy had never even had a glimpse of the sea or mountain, now, the 93-year-old has been able to fall in love with the sights. 

The duo finished their trip at the National Park of American Samoa in the South Pacific on Monday, and are now even making plans to travel the world.

The duo from Duncan Falls, Ohio, first began their quest to visit all the national parks in the country in 2015 (pictured at Alaska’s Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve)

The duo finished their trip at the National Park of American Samoa in the South Pacific on Monday, and are now even making plans to travel the world

Although they started traveling in 2015, they began documenting their journey on their Instagram account, where they boast over 70,000 followers, in 2019. 

Brian, a veterinarian, shared the news of their last adventure on their social media account, calling it the ‘greatest privilege’ to travel alongside his grandma. 

He wrote: ‘It was the greatest privilege of my life to be in the driver’s seat for Grandma Joy’s Road Trip.

‘We defied erroneous assumptions about the limitations of aging. We defied financial and logistical constraints. We even defied a pandemic. And you might have noticed that I accidentally made Grandma Joy the superstar I always knew her to be.

‘We have so much to share with you from the National Park of American Samoa. But today we are soaking up every ounce of joy coming our way from around the world. Your love and support was the fuel that got us to the finish line.’ 

The pair told Good Morning America that their last adventure marked a ‘bittersweet’ one as it came just one week after Brad’s dad, and Joy’s eldest son passed away. 

Brad noted that by reaching the final step in their journey, they showed the world that ‘you are never too old to show up and live the adventures life of your dreams.’ 

Throughout their time at their 63rd park, Joy and Brad have spent time in the rainforest, and spent some ‘one-on-one time with Mother Nature, according to their Instagram.

Although they started traveling in 2015, they began documenting their journey to their Instagram account, where they boast over 70,000 followers, in 2019 (pictured at Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park) 

The pair told Good Morning America that their last adventure marked a ‘bittersweet’ one as it came just one week after Brad’s dad, and Joy’s eldest son passed away

Brian, a veterinarian, shared the news of their last adventure on their social media account, calling it the ‘greatest privilege’ to travel alongside his grandma (pictured in American Samoa) 

Although they reached their final park, their travel plans aren’t over just yet. 

Brad and Grandma Joy told the outlet they have got their sights set on the world. 

‘Now that we have visited every U.S. National Park, we have our eyes set on the world, hopefully reaching all seven continents. We are headed to Kenya for a National Geographic expedition in July. 

‘I wouldn’t be surprised to see Grandma Joy flying through space or walking on the moon. This is what 93 should look like if we’re lucky enough to live as long as she has,’ Brad said. 

Brad and Joy’s journey first began after his grandmother revealed she wished she had traveled more, prompting the idea to be born. 

He told DailyMail.com: ‘My grandfather, who died two decades ago, was the breadwinner for their family, so Grandma Joy was happy to let him make all their travel plans while he was alive. 

‘Grandma Joy joined him on winter fishing trips to Lake Okeechobee [in Florida] after he retired, but she never saw the mountains. She never traveled west.

Although they reached their final park, their travel plans aren’t over just yet, the duo revealed that they are setting their sights on the world 

Brad and Joy’s journey first began after his grandmother revealed she wished she had traveled more, prompting the idea to be born (pictured at the Statue of Liberty) 

Their life-changing adventure has seen them climb mountains together and tackle white-water rafting, as well as sleep under the stars in stunning locations

‘When I processed what she told me, I remember thinking that I would never forgive myself if she died alone in Ohio without seeing the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite, and the many iconic landscapes of America. A seed was planted.’

Their life-changing adventure has seen them climb mountains together and tackle white-water rafting, as well as sleep under the stars in stunning locations such as Joshua Tree National Park in Colorado.

All the while, perhaps most amazingly for both of them, they have become ‘best friends’, after reconnecting and strengthening the bond they once lost when they did not speak for 10 years- in the midst of Brad’s parent’s divorce.

Joy has also helped Brad to become more resilient, as she supported him through mental health struggles that he was suffering with before their first 2015 trip.

And Brad could not be more grateful for the experiences he has had with his grandmother, describing the challenge as ‘magical’ while seeing so much of the US and meeting new people in the process. 

All the while, perhaps most amazingly for both of them, they have become ‘best friends’ 

Joy has also helped Brad to become more resilient, as she supported him through mental health struggles that he was suffering with before their first 2015 trip (pictured at Water Gap National Recreation Area) 

Meanwhile, Joy has said that the road trips they have done have been ‘beyond anything’ she could have imagined in her life (pictured at Saguaro National Park)

Brad said he is very grateful he has been able to inject some adventure into his grandmother’s (pictured at Great Smoky Mountains) life and take her to so many amazing places across America 

Meanwhile, Joy has said that the road trips they have done have been ‘beyond anything’ she could have imagined in her life.

The 93-year-old has been amazed by what they have witnessed along the way, explaining that both of them have been lucky enough to experience and see things that others may never see in their lifetimes.

The two are looking forward to even more travels alongside each other. 

Brad said: ‘I remain grateful for the opportunity to show the world that regardless of age, it is possible to make up for lost time and pack in a lifetime of adventure into a relatively short period if you have a positive attitude and the willpower to make it happen.’

He added that Grandma Joy, who has spent most of their nights away in a tent, was ‘inspiring people her age to get out of their rocking chairs and explore.’