It’s Your Choice

 

According to nonagenarian Joy Ryan, “It’s your choice whether you’re going to have a grumpy day or a sunny day. So smile at everybody, and let everybody know you’re having a whale of a time.” For the past 8 years, Joy and her grandson Brad have been having super sunny days.

How it Started

When Joy was in her mid 80’s, her grandson learned that she had never seen the ocean, deserts, or mountains of America. He decided it was something that would “haunt me if I didn’t intervene in some way.”

To rectify the situation, Brad took Joy on a trip to the Great Smoky Mountains. It was such a hit with both of them, over the next eight years they managed to visit all of the U.S. National parks.That’s 63 in total.

Before their great adventure began, Joy had been living vicariously, only hearing about Ryan’s nature travels. She’d been a widow, living alone in Ohio for 20 years. 

Joy of Life

Clearly, Joy was lucky to have a grandson like Brad who not only loved travel, but loved her enough to want to share his travels with her. Together they hiked and went white water rafting. 

Joy’s good health, zest for life, gratitude for each new day, and excitement for adventure kept her going strong as together they visited the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, the Redwoods, and finally ended in American Samoa. 

But the certificate given to her by the park rangers once she had visited all of the U.S. National Parks doesn’t mean she’s done traveling. Joy and Brad are planning a trip to Kenya next.

Without a doubt, Joy is living her 100 Year Lifestyle. Even before the travels began, her positive attitude and love of life and family clearly made her a joy to be around.

New Path

And, she’s living proof that it’s never too late to start walking a new path. Having the right outlook on life makes all the difference when it comes to the paths you take. How’s your day going? Is it grumpy or sunny? As Joy says, it’s your choice. Just think, your next exciting adventure could be right around the corner. 

If you want to know the details of Joy and Brad’s travel’s, keep reading. Be sure to check out every picture. Joy has a big smile in each of them!