When the grandson discovers his 91-year-old grandma has never traveled

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Imagine having a lifelong dream that you never had the opportunity to fulfill. Somewhere you’ve always yearned to visit, it seemed to slip away into the distant future. Have you ever wondered why you keep postponing those desires? Well, let me introduce you to Joy Ryan, a remarkable 93-year-old grandmother from Ohio who decided to seize the moment and embark on an extraordinary adventure.

Joy Ryan had led a life filled with limited travel experiences. Her most significant expedition involved visiting a fishing spot in Okeechobee, Florida, alongside her husband. However, when her grandson, Brad Ryan, discovered this, he felt an overwhelming urge to showcase the breathtaking beauty of their country to his beloved grandma. With excitement, Brad approached Joy and proposed visiting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park together.

To his delight, Joy readily agreed, and their journey began. The pair set off on a memorable road trip, immersing themselves in the splendor of nature. As they explored, Brad couldn’t help but notice the sheer joy and fascination that radiated from his grandma. Inspired by her enthusiasm, he pondered whether she might be interested in visiting other captivating destinations.

Once again, Joy expressed her willingness to explore more places, and Brad wasted no time researching other national parks across the United States. The mainland alone boasts an impressive 63 national parks, while Alaska, Hawaii, and the South Pacific are home to the remaining ones. Brad realized that these parks were relatively close to one another, forming a remarkable loop around the country.

With newfound determination, Brad approached his grandma and proposed an audacious idea—to attempt to visit all 62 mainland national parks. Joy eagerly embraced the challenge without hesitation, ready to embark on this extraordinary expedition. In just a few short years, Joy transformed from an individual with minimal travel experience into someone who had witnessed the wonders of every corner of their beloved nation. Together, the grandmother and grandson hiked through majestic mountains, traversed breathtaking deserts, observed magnificent whales, and even braved thrilling white-water rafting adventures.

“Can you believe it? She went white-water rafting at 91,” Brad exclaimed in awe of his incredible grandmother. “We tackled class 3 rapids, and she proved to be braver than me!”

After accomplishing their mission of visiting all 62 mainland national parks, Brad and Joy’s remarkable journey took them thousands of miles away to their final destination—the American Samoa National Park. Brad explained that they intentionally saved this enchanting island community for last due to its deep-rooted emphasis on family ties. Ending their adventure in American Samoa held a poetic beauty that resonated with them.

While exploring America’s national parks had come to a close, Brad and Joy were far from done with their adventurous spirit. Their next destination on the horizon was the captivating beauty of Kenya, followed by a desire to explore the national parks of Canada. Undoubtedly, they cherished every unique adventure they embarked upon. However, Brad shared that some of their most cherished moments were spent together in the car, engaging in heartfelt conversations about their lives. Through these intimate exchanges, Joy confided in her grandson about the trials and tribulations she had endured—a side of her that she had never shared with anyone before. Likewise, Brad opened up about his life’s challenges, forging an unbreakable bond between them.

Joy’s outlook on life is a powerful reminder to embrace each day with a smile and a positive attitude. “It’s your choice,” she remarks, “whether you’re going to have a grumpy or sunny day. So smile at everybody and let them all know you’re having a whale of a time.”

If you’d like to witness the incredible journey of Brad and his adventurous grandmother, Joy, I invite you to watch the inspiring video clip linked below.

Article Sources: spotlightstories