OAP, 93, Visits All 63 US National Parks With Grandson

A 93-year-old woman has become the oldest person in history to visit all 63 US National Parks on a huge adventure with her grandson.

Joy Ryan, 93, and her grandson, Brad Ryan, pose at the National Park of American Samoa, undated photo. Joy and Brad have visited all 63 National Parks in the United States. (@grandmajoysroadtrip/Newsflash)

Grandma Joy Ryan is now the oldest person in history to have visited every national park in the USA, according to her grandson, who was also her travel companion.

Their adventure began at Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee when at 85 years old, the OAP spent the night in a tent.

Joy, of Duncan Falls, Ohio, and her grandson Brad Ryan then visited all of the other national parks in the country, including Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, Glacier National Park, and Redwood National Park.

While at Redwood, Brad asked his grandmother how she felt standing next to one of the massive, ancient trees.

She replied: “They make you feel very small.”

Brad then asked her: “Does it make you feel very young?”

The sprightly nonagenarian said: “Not me! I’ve walked too many miles!”

Joy Ryan, 93, and her grandson, Brad Ryan, pose at the National Park of American Samoa, undated photo. Joy and Brad have visited all 63 National Parks in the United States. (@grandmajoysroadtrip/Newsflash)

The duo even made it to Denali National Park in Alaska, did whitewater rafting and even ziplined in New River Gorge National Park in West Virginia.

They saw alligators in the Everglades in Florida and finally finished their quest in the National Park of American Samoa and with Brad saying that his grandma Joy had just become “the oldest person in history to visit every US National Park.”

Brad, 41, said of the American Samoa national park: “The National Park of American Samoa is the only U.S. national park south of the equator and our most remote park.”

Brad, who started a GoFundMe soon after the beginning of their adventure, also said: “We defied erroneous assumptions about the limitations of aging. We defied financial and logistical constraints.”

The National Park of American Samoa said in a statement: “Seven and a half years ago Grandma Joy and Brad Ryan set out on a journey to visit all 63 National Parks.

“For them, however, this was not simply a checklist journey, but one of reconciliation and healing. Today, we were honored to host them as they arrived at their 63rd park and accomplished their goal. Their story is amazing and we are grateful to be part of it.”

Joy Ryan, 93, and her grandson, Brad Ryan, pose at the National Park of American Samoa, undated photo. Joy and Brad have visited all 63 National Parks in the United States. (@grandmajoysroadtrip/Newsflash)

Upon completing their trip, Joy said: “This has been an exciting and wondrous journey. It makes you feel younger when you do something like this. It really does!”

Their ‘grandmajoysroadtrip’ Instagram handle documenting their travels currently has over 78.800 followers and states: “93-year-old Grandma Joy just made history as the oldest person to visit all 63 U.S. National Parks with her grandson Brad Ryan! Next stop: Kenya!”