Join us in welcoming writer Brad Ryan and his Grandma Joy to celebrate the release of his book Grandma Joy and Me: A Journey of Healing, One National Park at a Time.

Raised in Appalachia, Grandma Joy lived a life shaped by hardship and limitations, while her grandson Brad struggled with family rifts and unresolved pain. Together, they embarked on a seven-year journey to visit all sixty-three U.S. National Parks, from the towering peaks of Denali to the otherworldly beauty of the Everglades. Along the way, they discovered that their adventure was about more than exploring America's wild landscapes. Each park offered new opportunities for understanding, forgiveness, and healing. Grandma Joy and Me tells the remarkable story of a grandmother and grandson overcoming generations of hurt through their shared love of nature. An exploration of family, resilience, and the power of human connection, their journey ultimately made Grandma Joy, at ninety-three, the oldest person to visit every U.S. National Park.

This event is free and open to the public.