Joy Ryan, a resident of Duncan Falls, Ohio, had never seen the ocean or mountains until she turned 85. However, at the age of 93, she has now accomplished an incredible feat by visiting all 63 U.S. National Parks with her grandson, Brad Ryan. Brad was inspired to embark on this journey with his grandmother in 2015 when he realized she had never experienced the great wildernesses of America. They started with a trip to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and from there, the idea of visiting all the national parks became an obsession for Brad. They planned road trips, visiting multiple parks at a time. Along the way, they had remarkable adventures, but some of their most precious moments were spent in the car, sharing stories and connecting on a deeper level. Joy, who remains active and optimistic, can still hike mountains at her age and even went white water rafting at 91. The final stop on their tour was the National Park of American Samoa, a symbolic ending to their remarkable journey. Brad and Joy completed their goal and were celebrated by park rangers who recognized the incredible accomplishment. This inspiring story challenges assumptions about the limitations of aging and serves as a reminder to embrace gratitude, joy, and adventure in life.
Photo Credit: jewad alnabi
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