Grandma Joy and Me: The Heartwarming Story Behind Brad Ryan's National Parks Journey with His Grandmother

A Grandson, His Grandmother, and a Promise to See America

The book 'Grandma Joy and Me: Tales from the Nation's Most Inspiring Duo' tells the remarkable true story of Brad Ryan and his grandmother, Joy Ryan, who together set out to visit every national park in the United States. Published by Simon & Schuster, the memoir captures a journey that began in 2015 when Brad, then a veterinary student at Ohio State University, invited his grandmother, who had never seen a mountain or the ocean, to go camping with him in the Great Smoky Mountains.

What started as a single camping trip blossomed into a decade-long adventure that has taken the pair across the country, into all 63 national parks, and into the hearts of millions of followers on social media. Joy, who is now in her mid-90s, became the oldest person known to have visited every national park in the system.

The Inspiration Behind the Book

Brad Ryan has spoken openly about the personal struggles that led him to reach out to his grandmother. He has shared that he was battling depression and the lingering effects of a difficult upbringing, and that reconnecting with Joy was, in many ways, a lifeline for both of them. Joy had spent much of her life in a small Ohio town, had lost her husband years earlier, and rarely left home.

'She had spent the better part of her life in a small town in Ohio and had never seen the mountains, never seen the ocean,' Brad has explained in interviews about the origins of their travels. The realization that his grandmother had missed so much of the natural beauty of her own country struck him deeply, and he resolved to change that.

The first trip to the Smokies in 2015 was modest, just a tent, a campfire, and the two of them. But Joy, then 85 years old, took to the outdoors with an enthusiasm that surprised even her grandson. From that point forward, the duo began checking off national parks one by one, often driving thousands of miles in Brad's car, sleeping in tents, and meeting fellow travelers along the way.

From Camping Trips to a National Following

As word spread of their adventures, Brad began documenting the trips on an Instagram account called 'Grandma Joy's Road Trip,' which has grown to a following of more than 100,000 people. Photos of Joy standing at the edge of the Grand Canyon, riding a mule, dipping her toes in the Pacific Ocean, and bundled up in Alaska have inspired countless families to reconsider what is possible for older Americans.

In 2023, Joy and Brad completed their goal of visiting all 63 national parks when they reached the National Park of American Samoa. The achievement made national headlines, with Joy being celebrated as a symbol of vitality and the enduring bond between generations.

What Readers Will Find Inside

'Grandma Joy and Me' is more than a travelogue. The book weaves together the personal histories of both Brad and Joy, exploring themes of family, healing, resilience, and the restorative power of nature. Brad has been candid about how the journey helped him work through his own mental health challenges, and how Joy's faith, humor, and grit reshaped his outlook on life.

The memoir includes stories of the pair's encounters with wildlife, the kindness of strangers they met on the road, and the quiet moments around the campfire when Joy would share memories of her late husband and the Ohio of her youth. Readers will find reflections on growing older with purpose, the importance of seizing time with loved ones, and the simple joys of the open road.

A Message for Families and Older Americans

One of the central messages of the book is that age should never be a barrier to adventure. Joy was 85 when she took her first camping trip and well into her 90s when she completed the parks challenge. Brad has often credited his grandmother with teaching him that life does not have an expiration date for wonder.

'Grandma Joy is proof that it is never too late to start living,' Brad has said in talks promoting their story. He has encouraged grandchildren across the country to pick up the phone, call their grandparents, and plan a trip, however small. The book underscores the value of intergenerational relationships at a time when many families feel pulled apart by distance and busy schedules.

Faith, Family, and the American Landscape

Throughout the book, Joy's deep faith and traditional values shine through. She has spoken about how her belief in God carried her through hardships, including the loss of her husband and a son. The national parks, for her, became cathedrals of creation, places where she could marvel at the handiwork of the Almighty in the canyons, forests, and coastlines of America.

The Ryans' story is also a tribute to the United States itself, to the foresight of those who set aside these lands for future generations, and to the families who continue to explore them. From Acadia in Maine to Denali in Alaska, from the Everglades in Florida to Joshua Tree in California, the book is a love letter to the American landscape.

An Inspiring Legacy

'Grandma Joy and Me' is available from major booksellers, and the Ryans continue to share their travels online. Their story has been featured on national television programs and has prompted countless letters from readers who say they have been inspired to reconnect with elderly relatives or take that long-postponed trip.

For those who have ever wondered whether it is too late to chase a dream, the answer from Grandma Joy is clear, and it comes with a smile from a woman who waited until her ninth decade to see the mountains for the first time.

To learn more or buy the book, go to Amazon.com.