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At 85 years old, Grandma Joy Ryan had never seen a mountain.
She had spent most of her life in the same small Ohio town, raised a family, worked hard, weathered loss, and built a life filled with simple joys. Adventure wasn’t something she thought she had missed. It simply wasn’t something she had experienced.
Then one day her grandson Brad Ryan called and asked a simple question:
“Do you want to go camping in the Smoky Mountains?”
Her answer?
“What time are you picking me up?”
That one decision changed everything.
One Camping Trip That Became a Movement
When Brad and Grandma Joy arrived at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, it was two o’clock in the morning and raining. Brad pitched a tent while Grandma Joy held a pink umbrella over his head.
Most people would have looked at the situation and wondered what they had gotten themselves into.
Not Grandma Joy.
She simply saw an adventure.
The next day she hiked to her first mountain summit, saw elk in the wild, and experienced a part of America she had never imagined. More importantly, something inside both of them changed.
For Brad, who was struggling with burnout and mental health challenges while finishing veterinary school, the trip restored a sense of purpose and connection.
For Grandma Joy, it opened a door to a world she never knew was waiting.
From One Mountain to 63 National Parks
What began as a single camping trip soon became a bigger dream.
Then a bigger one.
Then a seemingly impossible one.
Together, Brad and Grandma Joy set out to visit every U.S. National Park.
Over seven and a half years, they explored all 63 national parks, traveling thousands of miles, camping, hiking, and making memories that inspired millions of people around the world.
Along the way, Grandma Joy became the oldest person to begin and complete a journey to all 63 U.S. National Parks.
But the parks were never really the point.
The journey was.
Healing Happens on the Road
One of the most powerful parts of Brad and Grandma Joy’s story isn’t about travel at all.
It’s about healing.
Before their adventures began, the two had spent years separated by family conflict and misunderstandings. Like many families, there were hurts that had gone unspoken and relationships that had drifted apart.
Long drives, shared campfires, and countless miles on the road created something rare in today’s world: time.
Time to talk and to listen.
Time to understand each other’s experiences and time to heal.
As Brad shared during our conversation, the national parks became an excuse to spend time together. The real journey was learning how to reconnect.
Their story is a reminder that it is never too late to repair a relationship, never too late to have an important conversation, and never too late to choose connection.
The Secret to Staying Young
At 96 years old, Grandma Joy continues to inspire people around the world.
When asked about the secret to her longevity, her answer isn’t a complicated wellness routine. It’s gratitude and optimism and staying curious.
After her husband passed away, she chose not to sit at home. She got a job, volunteered, walked every day, met people, and stayed engaged with life.
She believes every day holds the possibility of something good.
That attitude shines through in every story she tells.
Grandma Joy doesn’t see obstacles first.
She sees opportunities.
And perhaps that’s why so many people are drawn to her story.
It’s Never Too Late
One of the things we hear most often at Girl Camper is: “Am I too old to start?”
Grandma Joy’s life is a powerful answer to that question.
At 85, she had never seen a mountain.
By 96, she had visited all 63 U.S. National Parks, traveled to multiple continents, stood in front of Denali, visited Antarctica, and inspired millions of people to chase their own adventures.
The lesson isn’t that everyone needs to visit every national park.
The lesson is that there’s still time.
Time for the camping trip; the road trip; the friendship; and for the adventure you’ve been putting off.
The first step may be smaller than you think.
After all, Grandma Joy’s journey began with a single phone call and one simple answer:
“What time are you picking me up?”
Listen to or Watch the Full Episode
In this episode of the Girl Camper Podcast, Janine Pettit talks with Grandma Joy and Brad Ryan about adventure, aging, healing family relationships, and their new book, Grandma Joy and Me: A Journey of Healing, One National Park at a Time.
If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s too late to start something new, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.
Plus here is a link to get your own copy of their new book: Grandma Joy & Me: A Journey of Healing One National Park At A Time
