Our guests are Brad Ryan and Grandma Joy, the beloved duo behind Grandma Joy’s Road Trip. Their remarkable journey has inspired millions of people around the world, but at its heart, this story isn’t really about social media fame, national parks, or even road trips.
It’s a story about family.
It’s a story about healing.
And it’s a story about what can happen when two generations choose adventure over regret.
Brad recently released his new book, Grandma Joy and Me: A Journey of Healing One National Park at a Time, and our conversation explores both the epic travels and the deeply personal family story that unfolded along the way. This is a beautiful book and we can’t recommend it enough!
To listen to our interview with Brad and Grandma Joy please click on the media player above–or subscribe to the RV Atlas podcast wherever you get your favorite shows!
How One Camping Trip Changed Everything
The adventure began with a simple realization.
Brad learned that his grandmother, Joy Ryan, had never seen a mountain.
Despite living a long and meaningful life, Grandma Joy had spent nearly all of it near her hometown of Duncan Falls, Ohio. She had never traveled extensively and had never experienced many of the iconic landscapes that most Americans dream about visiting.
At the same time, Brad was navigating his own personal struggles. After years of education and veterinary school, he found himself facing a mental health crisis and questioning what truly mattered in life.
The solution that came to him was unexpected.
He called his grandmother and invited her on a camping trip to Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Neither of them realized it at the time, but that decision would change both of their lives forever.
The First Trip: Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The first camping trip was hardly glamorous. They arrived in the Smokies in the middle of a rainstorm. The tent went up at two o’clock in the morning. The air mattress malfunctioned.
Grandma Joy repeatedly rolled off the mattress and eventually gave up and slept on the ground.
But despite all of the challenges, something magical happened. The next morning, the rain stopped.The mountains emerged from the fog. And Grandma Joy saw her first mountain.
What was intended as a one-time bucket-list trip suddenly became something much bigger.
From One National Park to Sixty-Three
After graduating from veterinary school, Brad found himself thinking constantly about that first trip.
The joy he experienced in the Smokies lingered.
The connection with Grandma Joy lingered.
And before long, he proposed something far more ambitious.
What if they visited every U.S. national park together?
That second adventure quickly expanded into a month-long journey that included:
- Badlands National Park
- Yellowstone National Park
- Grand Teton National Park
- Glacier National Park
- Mount Rainier National Park
- Crater Lake National Park
- Redwood National and State Parks
- Yosemite National Park
- Joshua Tree National Park
- Grand Canyon National Park
- Utah’s Mighty Five
- Mammoth Cave National Park
And many more.
They traveled on a shoestring budget, surviving on ramen noodles, gas station fried chicken, and determination.
They often camped without reservations.
Sometimes they barely knew where they were headed next.
But that spirit of adventure became part of the magic.
More Than a Road Trip
One of the most powerful themes in Brad’s book is that the national parks were never really the entire point.
The parks provided a backdrop. The real journey was happening inside the car.
For years, Brad had carried unresolved pain related to family conflict, estrangement, and difficult experiences from his childhood.
During long drives across the American West, those conversations finally happened.
Sometimes they were joyful. Sometimes they were uncomfortable. Sometimes they involved tears.
But through those conversations, both Brad and Grandma Joy began to heal.
The road trip became an opportunity to revisit old wounds, ask difficult questions, and build a stronger relationship than either imagined possible.
Why Nature Became Part of the Healing Process
Throughout our conversation, one idea kept surfacing: nature creates space.
When you’re surrounded by mountains, forests, deserts, wildlife, and wide-open skies, everyday distractions fade into the background.
Grandma Joy described it beautifully.
Being outside gave her time to think.
Time to process.
Time to see things differently.
For Brad, the national parks became a place where healing felt possible.
And for both of them, the outdoors provided common ground that allowed conversations to happen naturally.
The Unexpected Response From Strangers
As their adventures continued, people began paying attention. Photos and stories from the road started spreading online.
Soon, Grandma Joy and Brad were inspiring millions of people. But what surprised them most wasn’t the attention.It was the stories people shared in return.
Everywhere they traveled, people told them about:
- Their grandparents
- Their parents
- Their own family relationships
- Their hopes of traveling together someday
The story resonated because so many people recognized something familiar in it. Many of us spend years believing there will always be more time. Grandma Joy and Brad became a reminder that there is value in making time now.
Their Top National Parks
After visiting all 63 U.S. national parks, we asked them to rank their favorites.
The list included a few surprises.
#10: Voyageurs National Park
Located in northern Minnesota, Voyageurs impressed them with:
- Remote wilderness
- Bald eagles
- Island camping
- Incredible solitude
- Northern lights opportunities
Its lack of crowds was a major part of its appeal.
#9: Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
The active volcanic landscape, rainforest trails, and resilient local communities left a lasting impression.
Grandma Joy was fascinated by the ever-changing landscape and the people who call the island home.
#8: Redwood National and State Parks
Walking among the giant redwoods became one of the defining experiences of their journey.
The sheer scale of the trees created a sense of perspective and wonder unlike anywhere else.
#7: Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The place where it all began.
Its biodiversity, wildlife, accessibility, and emotional significance secured its place on the list.
#6: Joshua Tree National Park
With its unusual rock formations, desert landscapes, and almost spiritual atmosphere, Joshua Tree became one of Grandma Joy’s favorites.
#5: Zion National Park
The dramatic canyon scenery and unforgettable drives through Utah’s red rock country made Zion a standout destination.
#4: Glacier National Park
From wildlife encounters to spectacular mountain scenery, Glacier delivered some of the most breathtaking moments of the entire journey.
#3: Big Bend National Park
One of the least crowded parks in the system, Big Bend offered:
- Vast desert landscapes
- Stunning mountain views
- Solitude
- Dark skies
It remains one of their favorite hidden gems.
#2: Grand Teton National Park
The dramatic peaks, pristine lakes, and incredible scenery pushed Grand Teton near the top of their list.
#1: Katmai National Park
Their top choice surprised many listeners.
At Katmai National Park in Alaska, they witnessed:
- More than 30 brown bears at once
- The famous Brooks Falls salmon run
- Extraordinary wildlife viewing
- A true wilderness experience
For both Brad and Grandma Joy, it represented the culmination of everything they loved about the national parks.
A Story Bigger Than National Parks
What makes Grandma Joy and Me special is that it isn’t simply a travel memoir.
Yes, there are incredible adventures. Yes, there are unforgettable national park experiences.
But the real story is about relationships. It’s about reconnecting across generations.
It’s about recognizing that adventure doesn’t have an expiration date. And it’s about understanding that healing sometimes happens in the most unexpected places.
Final Thoughts
At the end of our conversation, Grandma Joy was asked if there were still places she wanted to visit.
Her response was simple:
“No. I’m up for suggestions.”
She seems like she is always ready for the next trip! And we are excited to see where her and Brad go next!
We’ll see you at the campground.
