The youngest participant completing all 226 miles of Grand River Expedition 2010 is Christian Miller of Grand Haven, a Seventh Grade student at Lakeshore Middle School and son of Theresa Miller. Christian is paddling a canoe with his Grandfather, Bob Miller, of Hudsonville.
(Click on image to view larger version)

When his Grandfather asked him to come along on the Expedition, Christian took him up on the offer because he thought it would be exciting and an adventure. In the first 130 miles he’s canoed at the bow of his Grandpa’s boat, and has also borrowed kayaks from other participants for some legs of the journey. With many experienced paddlers on the Expedition, Christian has benefitted from many impromptu kayak and canoe lessons.

Christian says he likes meeting the people on the Expedition and riding around the towns of the nightly encampments on a bicycle his Grandfather brought with on the event. He also thinks he might participate in Expedition 2020. But the trip hasn’t been easy, and he admits he felt like going home at points, including the first day when the Expedition confronted many downed trees and a thunderstorm. He also dislikes the bugs and the 6:30 am wake-up. He looks forward to sleeping later in the morning when her returns home after completing the Expedition.

Christian Miller and the rest of the Grand River Expedition 2010 will paddle in to Grand Haven on July 26th, entering the channel at the lift bridge at 2:00 and arriving at Chinook Pier by 3:00.