Travel knows no age. It is an enriching and transformative experience that can be enjoyed by individuals at any stage of life. 93-year-old, Joy Ryan (Grandma Joy) is experiencing life to the fullest. She completed visiting 63 national parks in America last month, making history as the oldest individual to do it.
At 93, Grandma Joy Visited America’s 63 National Parks
Joy Ryan has persevered despite losing her husband, her three sons, a terrible sickness in 2008, and a recent COVID-19 infection. She has lost track of how many friends and family members she has outlived.
Ryan, also known as Grandma Joy, became the oldest known individual to visit each and every one of the 63 national parks in the United States. She has also gone whitewater rafting in Alaska, ziplining in West Virginia’s New River Gorge, rolling down 100-foot sand dunes in Colorado, and surviving a charging moose in Montana.
Grandson, Brad Ryan and Joy Ryan ultimately achieved their aim of visiting all 63 national parks in the United States after seven years and a pandemic.
The grandson, who went on to earn his veterinary degree from Ohio State University in 2016, started taking vacations with his grandmother, who was 85 at the time, in 2015. Their first stop was the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The two developed a wanderlust and decided to explore each and every national park.
The grandmother and grandson are both from Duncan Falls, Ohio, a small community in Muskingum County located south of Zanesville.
Where Are They Off To Next?
Now, ‘Grandma Joy’s Road Trip’ Instagram account has amassed over 78,000 followers and received media attention internationally, to track their travels. With a final visit to the American Samoa National Park, the goal was achieved. Grandparents can create lasting memories by sharing travel experiences with their grandchildren and passing down cultural heritage and traditions.
Despite having accomplished their objective, the two aren’t giving up. They have more journeys planned, one of which is to Kenya. The tallest mountain peaks on each of the seven continents will be Grandma Joy’s next great expedition too, which will begin with the third continent, Africa.
The world is vast and full of wonders, waiting to be explored by both the young and the young-at-heart. So, whether you’re 18 or 80, pack your bags, step out of your comfort zone, and embark on a journey!
Cover image credits: Instagram/Grandma Joy’s Road Trip