Did this River Build Michigan, the Midwest and the Prairie States? Kind of. . .

Join us on an journey down the historic Lower Grand River, from the bustling city of Grand Rapids to the serene shores of Grand Haven. In this immersive adventure, we'll navigate the waters aboard a large freighter canoe, delving into the rich history, innovation, and industry that has shaped the Midwest.
We'll uncover the pivotal role this waterway has played in the development of the region. From its early days as a vital trade route for Native American tribes to its transformation into a bustling hub of commerce during the industrial revolution, the Grand River has witnessed firsthand the remarkable innovations and advancements that propelled the Midwest forward.
💬 Let us know what you think of this adventure in the comment section below.
👉 We appreciate every thumbs up and would love, if you’d consider subscribing to the channel!!
Thank you so much for visiting 👋
Merch - restless-viking.myshopify.com/
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#RestlessViking

[@Whuffagowie]

I know where a Voyageur cabin site is in the City of Jackson. I found it when I was a kid. My friend and I found a clay pipe bowl sitting on tree roots and the last vestiges of bottoms of logs that formed the base of the cabin, long rotted away. The year was 1958 and I was ten years old at the time.

[@tedtimmis8135]

Wow. As a lifelong Michigander, I learned something new. Really well done!

[@michaelpfister1283]

I grew up in Muskegon, I've been to Grand Haven more times than I can count. Went to college in Grand Rapids. The early lumber industry on the Grand River was eventually eclipsed by the lumber industry on the Muskegon River, which drains the entire northern area of the Southern Peninsula, but without the earlier industry on the Grand there wouldn't have been the later successes. And that bit about the dynamo in GR in 1880 was something I'd never heard before! The video of crossing under the US-31 drawbridge at Grand Haven was just cool. I've driven over that sooooo many times, never had an opportunity to cross under it. That was a treat. Thanks! Great channel and awesome video. Thank you for sharing!

[@RestlessViking]

Thanks for stopping by. Agreed! The Muskegon has quite a history related to logging for sure!

[@jonhutchens9770]

That snacklbox is brilliant.

[@stevehernandez20]

My neck of the woods. Been on the grand 100’s of times. Used to be very polluted but now is in really decent shape considering the amount of farmland and cities developed along its path. Very solid fishery now.

[@sailragman]

Great history research and unique presentation. Proud of your presentation for everything Michigan.

[@Whuffagowie]

The headwaters of the three longest rivers in the state are in Jackson County, The Grand, Kalamazoo and the River Raisin.

[@skypilotrg]

Well who wants to know about these facts? You'd think from this video that the Grand River actually starts about in the middle. Jackson County always gets the short end if the stick. When I first saw the headline of this video, I figured they would start at the head waters (Jackson) for those who didn't know and move up to Lansing and so on. I'm disappointed to say the least.

[@blauer2551]

Not in that canoe, lots of logs and tight bends in those areas.

[@bobpiff5161]

@@blauer2551the vid was excellent, but a sequel would be much appreciated.

[@michaelplanchunas3693]

You mentioned Lake Chicago. A very small remnant of its ancient shoreline can be found in the Indiana Dunes National Park at the intersection of Hadenfeldt and Furnessville roads. Just past this intersection to the south is a small rise. That is the old shoreline. Lake Michigan's shoreline is about a mile north of the intersection.

[@maddog2557]

The same for Ridge Rd from Lansing IL to Hobart. It was built on the "ridge" of the old Lake Chicago shoreline.

[@kenttalsma7906]

Speaking of raw sewage, 20 years ago before Grand Rapids updated their sewer system there were bumper stickers plastered around town saying, "Everytime it rains in Grand Rapids shit happens " due to storm water overwhelming the sewer system and dumping raw sewage into the Grand River.

[@sundancer3700]

Great history lesson. We are headed to Grand Haven in a few weeks to camp on the Lake Michigan beach.

[@osirisandilio]

Live on Lake Creek in Saranac, a tributary to the Grand

[@noogman]

How good was that!!! I loved it. America, its who we are!!

[@troyvanwingen6283]

That’s a pretty epic canoe trip! Great historical nuggets about the river that, as a lifelong West Michigander and local trivia buff, even I didn’t know. Great work with the maps! I also think it’s noteworthy how few bridges span the river from Grandville to Grand Haven. It is so costly to build a bridge as the span is so wide only 4 cross along that 30 mile stretch you showed us. Just another way the river impacts people’s lives still today.

[@jimknarr]

Now it totally makes sense why Grand Rapids is the furniture capital.

[@kenttalsma7906]

WAS the furniture capital of the world.

[@royrinard8517]

I really enjoyed your work immensely, you have such a wonderful ability to describe the history and beauty of our wonderful state. I grew up on a farm along the Grand River in Lowell. They were some of the best memories of my life. My Dad showed me the deed to our farm and Rix Robinson was the original owner. I left Lowell,as a young man and have traveled all over the world and have lived out west for the last 55 years and I have never seen a place that means more to me than Lowell does.

[@RestlessViking]

Thanks for the kind words! Lowell is a good place. And a title with Rix Robinson as the original owner. . . amazing!

[@sewcellosusan8664]

I love the fun fact about the bugler❤

[@stephenalexander6721]

Hey, I grew up in Lowell. 👍

[@DAKOTANSHELBY]

I stumbled upon this great video this evening. I live in Ottawa County and have traveled through Lamont, Eastmanville, GVSU and visited the Riverbend Airstrip. All of which you do a story of from your boat on the Grand River. Thank so much for sharing the history of the Grand River as it wonders through my West Michigan communities.

[@clcortelyou]

The headwaters of the Grand River are only a few miles from the headwaters of the River Raisin which flows southeast into Lake Erie. A short portage got folks across the peninsula almost entirely on water.

[@skypilotrg]

Thanks for the history lesson that wasn't supplied in this video.

[@richardjohnson7563]

Another great presentation. Really enjoyed the lesson and the travel on Michigan’s “Grand” river.

[@davidmadison8989]

Outstanding, informative!! So glad I found you both.

[@vhanchon]

LOVE your channel! Another wonderful, informative video.

[@PracticalKen]

Great history! Love the "snacklebox". Great idea! 😀

[@RestlessViking]

😂

[@rogered5499]

Love the drone pictures

[@LadyYoop]

LOVE this....way back, our rivers were our roads. This is so much like the Keweenaw...water routes for fur trading, and like my bro's Nahma Inn...Nahma had the Bay de Nocquet lumber company, who made tons of wood for Chicago after the big fire...then Chicago got what they needed and the lumber company shut down. Nahma is one of the lil' touristo type places. Right on Lake Michigan. (Lake Chicago....I ALWAYS learn something from you!)

[@skypilotrg]

Plus, they cut 90 plus percent of the trees down, so that also may be why the industry tanked.

[@LadyYoop]

@@skypilotrg no....not at all.

[@bobyoung1698]

The Grand River story is likely the most impressive of all Lower Michigan river histories, but it has parallels - the Saginaw and the Muskegon Rivers. Both help provide timber to state and national industries. The Saginaw River virtually grew up on the logging business; if you canoe the Muskegon River you can still see the ghosts of the railways that brought the logs to the water.

[@bapasrcadventures3619]

Loved learning the history. Thank you.

[@staudtj1]

In the late 70's, I attended Grand Valley State Colleges. It later changed the name to Grand Valley State University . . . GVSU. The River was . . . right there and the rowing team had a dock.

[@maijaliimatta296]

I just kayaked part of the Grand River last weekend. Thank you Chuck and Poppins for the history tour!

[@jimbellenger1927]

Excellent video. I hope you do one on the Kalamazoo and Muskegon Rivers as well

[@gjm5959]

Great stuff ! Thanks so much for doing this 👍

[@peterwesthe-his5508]

Great story. Excellent drone footage and soundtrack.

[@SteveandSusiesHomestead]

Wonderful video . Great information . You put the story back in History . Thank you .

[@wmitrader]

Another great video. Always enjoy watching your videos and look forward to the next one. Keep them coming !

[@edbiernot4852]

Thanks for sharing insights

[@phillipbooth787]

greetings from GR! i fish the grand every weekend with my girl and her boy. it's a fantastic piece of MI history and scenery. if you get a chance, you may want to look into the history of Singapore, MI and it's sandy fate on the north side of the Muskegon River.

[@randymorgan-droneovermichigan]

Always a learning adventure 👍🏻

[@1997BAC]

Shout-out to Steamboat campground! I live in an RV full time and stayed with them for two winters. Wonderful campground with great amenities, if you don't mind paying a premium for the RV sites! Great videos!

[@John-R.61]

Hey Chuck greetings from the sunrise side of Michigan 😊

[@davidchrisman855]

Hey, how long have you lived in Lowell? I’m from Lowell myself. Brother still lives there. My wife and I now live up in northern Kent County a few miles west of Greenville. I’ve been watching your videos for a good bit but wasn’t aware you call Lowell Home! Good for you two. My name is David Chrisman/class of 81.

[@marthahayden6021]

David, We've lived in Lowell since the early 90's. I taught first and second grade at Bushnell and Cherry Creek. I had Autumn Chrisman, any relation? Thanks for taking time to comment! Martha

[@davidchrisman855]

My Brother Daniel lives there still and his name is Daniel Chrisman and his wife teaches currently in Belding at the Middle School in Spec Ed and her name is Michelle. They have two kids that went through Lowell Schools named Zach and Nicole but they were in school there during the 2010/20’s. I was not aware of other Chrisman’s in the Lowell Area but our family that far back? We moved there from Grand Rapids the summer (77) before my Freshman year and we lived on Monroe Street. My mother passed in 2018 so we sold the house (Dad passed in 2003). I was watching this video on the Grand River and was just excited to hear you were from Lowell! Thanks for the stories/history. Love them! Have a great weekend, David Chrisman

[@ronfox5519]

​@@davidchrisman855 I believe Dan was my classmate. Small world.

[@davidl546]

The Grand River has been a part of my life. Grew up in Grand Ledge, hiked the river trail through the Ledges often. Great Video!

[@chrisbajema8002]

I know this family and live right 5here in grandville..sooo cool. Nice work guys and AWESOME snackle box!!

[@j.scottvanlester4584]

Good information! I hadn't realized that Grand Valley State University had been there that long!

[@isaiahosborne4669]

I would love to hear the story on us 12 that runs Detroit to Chicago

[@NorthSideX]

Great video! Loved the history lesson from your adventure.

[@user-ku4ii3wd3r]

Interesting! My family come from Grand River Ottawa and I recently traced back to ancestors which include fur trader Joseph Bailly, who lived on Mackinac Island and owned a trading post on the Grand River. In fact, one of his daughters was adopted by Mme La Framboise. I keep trying to learn more family and Michigan history so thanks for the tour!

[@bluekitty3731]

Thanks for the time and research gone into making this video. I'm a sixth generation Michigander on my moms side, and my dad's family can be traced back before Michigan was a state! But your video even taught me a few things about the state I didn't know.

[@RestlessViking]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jerrykast7713]

Thank you! What a wonderful history lesson.

[@peggymalaski4061]

I grew up in Jenison and graduated from GVSU (became a university while I was there-started out as an alternative style colleges, with 4 campus in one location). The riverboat wasn’t there when I was growing up, but there were two outhouses along that stretch. Always funny to see if one or both floated down the river in the spring thaw 🤣😂🤣

[@richardjohnson7563]

A Grand Video of the Grand River. Great job. Very Interesting.

[@outdoors-with-Den]

Thanks for the info. I have been trying to find videos on the grand river, I'd like to do a trip with my barrel boat camper there, love your channel and all the info is awesome, I'm from SE michigan.

[@MrBradleyDavid]

Cool canoe, it reminds me of a pirogue. I like reading or hearing stories about the old lumber industry. Our great grandfather came down from Canada to be a teamster at the Michigan camp where he met our great grandmother. The story goes on. It would be interesting to see what the area as it used to be with white and red pine.

[@chetfuller6253]

Thanks Chuck and Poppins, another great video.👍

[@RestlessViking]

Thanks 👍

[@mestep511]

You guys are too much. What a good life. Production of scenery, adventure and history is captivating. Thank you.

[@RestlessViking]

Thanks!

[@philliphoward7455]

RV and Poppins: As a lifelong ( so far ), resident of Michigan, I still learnuch from your videos. Keep up the good work. A question; Have you ever considered doing a video or videos on Michigan Ghost Towns that sprang up due to the lumber industry then when the lumbering died, the town died. Just a thought.

[@RestlessViking]

Thanks for the suggestion.

[@lakemi4665]

Awesome, Thanks !

[@Lanzerath1244]

Loved it. Thanks.

[@gregandkyzer2657]

The Grand River who knew? Awesome job y'all as always. What kind of boat is that super cool.Snacklebox LMAO.

[@KUEHLKUEST]

That was Awesome guys!! Lot's of info there we didn't know about the river!! J & C

[@Auxrad39]

Thanks for the great tour and history lesson , the snackle box look great 😀

[@johntessmer2766]

Love your videos. Always learn a lot about the history of the state I thought I knew! Keep them coming!!!

[@nonickels8975]

You guys are so fun 😊

[@zooba1974]

Great video! Thank you!!

[@chadbennett3998]

Listening from Mackinac Island Michigan

[@adidas20zero]

Great video..thank you!!

[@SARGE1966]

Thanks, you have to do a review of that canoe someday..

[@PolarCurrency]

Thanks for sharing your journeys - just subscribed and am binge watching. Really appreciate the on-site history.

[@joeinmi8671]

I love this channel keep it up!!!

[@jlions72]

So where does the grand river start ..? as a creek of some kind ?.. it looks like it starts in Northern Ohio and is it the Grand River down there or just a little run off creek ? or what. ! do you know ?.. wish you could go all the way to the start of it and show and tell a bit about it ..I find it interesting !.. .I.wish there was a boat service that would start at the very beginning and go until the rapids and dam in GR.... Pull the boat out,.. and put back in below the rapids and go all the way to Grand Haven ....I wish they would put in a lock system in GR so boats could by pass the rapids ...! Now How Cool would that be ? You know how great this would be to be able to do this. Ever heard of Canell Boats ,or Narrow boats, like they have in England,. and the Erie Canell that would be a new business to get going, Its my dream to have one to do this trip !....what do you think ? I love your story telling Look forward to what you post, Very Well Done, "Thank you for your efforts" ....P.S. You too Need a little bit bigger Boat where you can be sheltered from the wind and rain and make dinners or snacks and be able to sleep on it to do trips like this ..!.. doesnt have to be much bigger just a little ...that would be pretty fun !.

[@kenblum4840]

I really enjoyed your video and taking the time to learn about and share some of the more interesting aspects of the region. There's also a lot of history about the Boynton families going back to when 3 brothers first arrived in the area in the 1830s. My mother's side is descended from one of those brothers, and we've enjoyed family reunions at Bill's property on the river and more recently on his Grand Lady Riverboat. Thanks for sharing!

[@kenblum4840]

Snackle box 💯🙂

[@sillarsscott7694]

I have always enjoyed your videos Because they are entertaining and educational

[@jimcooper2625]

Thanks for the great history lesson , you guys are awesome !

[@jimberry4871]

Great Video!

[@dennymeyer7410]

This was a great episode really enjoyed it. I love the back-and-forth between the two of you pouring out the knowledge. How long a trip was it or did I miss that? I hope you’re following continues to grow.

[@RestlessViking]

It was about 3 hours with our goofing around and taking video.

[@marksilvestro450]

Great video guys! I was raised on the backwaters of the Ada dam on the Thornapple river. I know the area well, bravo on a great presentation.

[@NancyLiedel]

I grew up in Grand Haven, a mile north of the mouth.

[@drunkjonboy]

I live in Indian River and my parents live in Greenville. Now do one on the flat river lol

[@drunkjonboy]

Love your videos

[@custodialmark]

Nice float

[@mikevernon3267]

Sweet boat 👍

[@bertvosburg558]

My Ottawa friend who is now passed and lived in Newberry Michigan, Jesse Chambers, of the bear clan said he always felt a lot of power from the "OHWASHTANONG", Whenever he visited here where I live om sec 1 and 2 Cascade twp Ada mailing address on the Grand River.

[@juniordelgiorno5260]

You had me at “Snackel Box”!

[@RestlessViking]

🤣😂

[@mathewrademacher9913]

wow wow

[@muckfoot-4093]

I live right there (Jenison) , cool stuff

[@thomaskirchoff2027]

Been following couple yrs and still like going with😅

[@jwright1253]

Love your videos, living in kzoo

[@BobBrandon]

Snacklebox!! ♥

[@michaelhooper9576]

you two are adorable. Love the videos.

[@John-R.61]

Good thinking popin 😅

[@morgotha42]

I live in Holland MI. the grand sadly has become one of our most polluted rivers as well.

[@doughill5311]

Great post. Love the "snackle box". How long was the trip in miles and time?

[@RestlessViking]

33 miles. It took about 3 hours I think?

[@user-sz1dk4tw2o]

My only experience with Grand River was as one of the spokes emanating from downtown Detroit. Other spokes being, of course, Fort St., Michigan Ave., Woodward, Gratiot, and Jefferson Ave. 😉

[@RestlessViking]

😄

[@kingsethos5108]

Love it, but as a lifelong GR resident I am curious how you canoed your way through the heart of Grand Rapids, especially by the fish ladder.

[@RestlessViking]

We started a little west of Grand Rapids at Boynton Landing.

[@arekclark2622]

I seen a cool Jeep driving through Coopersville first week of June 2024 one week later I recognized it on the video If I knew it was them I would have chased them down brought him home or at least shook their hand. What a bucket list they have

[@RestlessViking]

😂😂 - Whiskey is always a great way to introduce yourself. Wine for Poppins. . . !

[@samstamos427]

Fascinating!!🖖.. I just discovered and subscribed to your channel just recently, regarding the ambiguity of the Indiana border. Curious if you plan to do a video on the Huron River, or the glacial formation of Washtenaw county... Being form Ypsilanti, the history of the city's namesake General Demetrios Ypsilantis awaits recognition!! 🕊..

[@RestlessViking]

Thanks for the suggestions, I look up the general!

[@janerkenbrack3373]

Since you filmed this video, Grand Rapids has decided to put the rapids back in the river. (Though not whitewater).

[@RestlessViking]

Did they city approve the permit recently? They rejected the permit in March. I know there was an issue with having "waves" in the rapids.

[@janerkenbrack3373]

@@RestlessViking News just a few days ago. No whitewater, but still some rapids. I didn't read the whole article.

[@sixramsalot]

i love this channel! anything on the st.Joe river?

[@RestlessViking]

Nothing yet. We have a long list, though.

[@bobrich1950]

Thanks God for the Clean Water Act of 1972, eh?!

[@RestlessViking]

It seemed to do a lot of good. . .

[@kenblum4840]

I remember when the Grand Rapids sewage treatment plant would overflow after a heavy rainfall. We used to joke about how you could fish for brown trout in the river.😅 But seriously, that problem didn't get remedied until the 1990s.

[@RestlessViking]

@@kenblum4840 If you tried to fish, you'd have to pick TP off your fishing line.

[@richardcooke9948]

Great video. Do you ever explore in warm weather?😂

[@RestlessViking]

😄 We do. When it's warm. 😂

[@pauldorich2909]

As locals of the area and WMU grads, did you ever see Tom Collins and The Cocktail Shakers at Club Soda?

[@RestlessViking]

I did not. I was so poor that I couldn't afford to go to club soda at the time. 😂🤣😳. I don't know about Poppins.