Grandson and grandma explore 62 national parks

A grandmother and her grandson are about to complete a’magical’ seven-year quest to visit all 63 state parks in America, a task that has helped them become the best of friends.

This year, Washington, DC-based Brad Ryan and his Duncan Falls, Ohio-based grandmother Joy, 92, will wrap off their lengthy road journey by visiting the American Samoa National Park.

Because Joy told her grandson that she had never gone camping or to a mountain range in person, their accomplishment started that year.

According to CBS News, when Brad, who was a veterinary student at the time, informed her about his trip to the Appalachian Trail, she said that she wished she had taken a similar trip herself.

As a result of his grandma’s admission, Brad determined to rectify that and invited her to go with him to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Since then, they have continued their epic journeys and driven about 50,000 miles together, stopping at 62 of America’s 63 National Parks, according to the Washington Post.

An incredible 62 out of the 63 national parks in the US have been visited by Brad Ryan, from Washington, DC, and his 92-year-old grandmother Joy, from Duncan Falls, Ohio (shown in Denali National Park).

Along with visiting national parks, the two have also been to state parks and enjoy taking excursions around the US. HOCKING HILLS STATE PARK

Together, they have conquered whitewater rafting and mountain climbing on their life-altering expedition. They have also camped out beneath the stars in breathtaking places like Colorado’s Joshua Tree National Park.

All the while, and perhaps most astonishingly for both of them, they have reconnected and strengthened the link they previously lost when they did not communicate for 10 years—during the separation of Brad’s parents.

As a result, they have now established themselves as “best friends.”

Brad has also become more resilient as a result of Joy’s assistance throughout the mental health issues he was experiencing prior to their initial 2015 trip.

And Brad is quite appreciative of the interactions he’s had with his grandma, calling the challenge “wonderful” while also getting to see a lot of the US and meet new people.

The road journeys they have taken, according to Joy, have been “above anything” she could have dreamed in her life.

The 92-year-old said they were both fortunate to see and see things that others would never see in their lives and that he was astounded by what they had seen along the route.

Joy and Brad have travelled more than 50,000 miles on their epic seven-year road journey across the national parks of America, including the Channel Islands National Park.

NATIONAL PARK AT WRANGELL-ST ELIAS: After a decade of silence during Brad’s parents’ divorce while he was in college, the experience has deepened their relationship.

As they set off on their epic road journey, they feel very privileged to have shared some of their life experiences with one other.

Brad made sure they could do even more by creating a GoFundMe campaign, which raised $12,000 and enabled them to take a lengthy road trip to 21 national parks in the summer of 2017. He did this because he thought they would appreciate the first vacation they took together, which he paid for.

He contributed some of his personal cash to the initiative as well, and both of them were frugal with their resources and made an effort to see as much as they could.

As their enthusiasm for exploring developed, they added even more locations to their list, such as Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park and Ohio’s Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

Brad started documenting the process on social media in 2019 because he wanted to share their happiness with their relatives and friends.

Their happiness spread like wildfire, and soon local and even worldwide news outlets were reporting on their road trip.

As a consequence, they received offers from businesses and travel agencies that helped them pay for their excursions.

PINNACLES NATIONAL PARK: Businesses contacted them to offer to support their visits once Brad started to post about their adventure on social media.

BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK: According to Joy, the kindness of individual contributors and those who offered to house them while on the journey has been incredible.

DENALI NATIONAL PARK: Joy, who is 92 years old, pushes herself whenever she can and has participated in sports like white-water rafting along the way.

They are now able to continue paying for their travel and lodging thanks to the kindness and generosity of individual contributors and the assistance of others.

Joy reminisced on the joy the experience had afforded them both, adding that she believed their tale had inspired others to live life to the fullest and to believe in themselves.

Joy is always motivated to push herself physically, regardless of how long their journeys are—whether they last 45 days or just 5.

In September 2019, they went on one of their longest trips, visiting 20 national parks across 14 states.

Brad has always taken time off from work or while he was between employment to help them organise the excursions.

Joy, 92, who worked at a grocery shop close to her house until she was in her early 80s, does not allow her age hold her back and will constantly try new things.

They have called their journey to the National Park of American Samoa, which is the final on their itinerary, “bittersweet.” EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK

Her grandchild will make her feel protected and comfortable on travels, she added.

Joy’s grandchild is kind and thoughtful, she remarked.

National Park experiences haven’t ended. When not touring National Parks, the couple visits Washington DC in March to witness the flowers.

They’ll end their trip to American Samoa National Park.

Amazing and heartbreaking, but they won’t stop travelling.

Instead, they’ll visit America’s state parks and maybe other countries.

Brad’s aim to give his grandma experience has brought him calm and fulfilment.

He’s delighted he could provide her new experiences, which she deserved.

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK: Brad is pleased he has been able to bring adventure into his grandmother’s life.

Grandma and grandson toured 62 national parks in seven years.