The Atlas Obscura Podcast · Wednesday, August 5, 2026
Brad Riant discussed his book "Grandma Joy and Me," detailing his travels to all 63 U.S. National Parks with his grandmother, Joy, who was in her mid-80s when they began. This journey was a significant part of their reconciliation after years of estrangement following his parents' divorce.
“Brad Riant has visited all 63 national parks in the US.”
“He traveled with his grandmother, who was in her mid-80s when they started.”
“And I, like the Appalachian Trail in 2009 after almost a decade of not speaking to her, after my parents divorced.”
“And in those conversations about the Appalachian Trail, she's just casually drops, you know, I never saw a mountain.”