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After a seven-year quest, the adventurous grandmother-grandson duo, Joy and Brad Ryan, have successfully completed their mission to visit all 63 U.S. national parks. They embarked on their epic journey from their hometown of Duncan Falls, Ohio, and recently concluded it at the National Park of American Samoa in the South Pacific.
According to Brad, their trek involved "three flights and nearly seventeen flying hours" to reach American Samoa. The pair has been sharing their remarkable escapades on their Instagram account, @grandmajoysroadtrip, since 2019. Brad, a practicing veterinarian, described this experience as the "greatest privilege" of his life, but says completing their mission is "bittersweet" after the recent passing of his father, Joy's eldest son.
Reflecting on their achievement, Brad says, "Grandma Joy has taught the world that you are never too old to show up and live the adventurous life of your dreams." Joy affectionately characterized their journey as "a grand adventure." Even though they completed their mission to see every national park, the pair aren’t through having adventures. Next they plan to explore the world, visiting every continent, starting with an expedition to Kenya this summer.