Strand – An Odyssey of Pacific Ocean Debris
Book Researches the Flotsam and Jetsam Washed up by the Sea
Jul 28, 2009
Little did Bonnie Henderson know when she originally volunteered to monitor a mile-long section of beach along the Oregon coast for CoastWatch, that she was beginning a long and interesting journey that would eventually culminated in a book, Strand: An Odyssey of Pacific Ocean Debris, published by Oregon State University Press, 2008. (ISBN 978-0-87071-299-9)
Curiosity Leads to Research in Natural History, Oceanography, Climatology and Manufacturing
Each time Henderson walked her designated mile of the Oregon coast, she found a variety of natural and man made objects in the wrack line. Like many beach walkers, these objects raised many questions for her. However, unlike most beach goers, Henderson was not content to just shrug her shoulders and move on. Instead, she set out to find the answers to her questions.
Glass Fishing Floats, Dead Birds and Tennis Shoes
Henderson's first inquiry took her to a gathering of glass fishing float collectors in Washington State, and then to Japan to meet with the last of the glass blowers still manufacturing the highly collectible fishing floats. Other queries took her up and down the west coast to meet with marine scientists and learn about topics such as ocean currents, sea birds, minke whales, and more. Spurred on by curiosity about a size 11 Reebok running shoe she'd found on the beach, Henderson flew to China to follow the route of a shipment of Reeboks from the factory in Shenzhen, to the port of Hong Kong, and onto a container ship bound for Seattle.
Strand is Both Nature Writing and Memoir
Henderson’s well-researched essays are informative and written in an engaging style. Though rich in scientific information, it is Henderson’s personal experiences, and obvious interest and passion for the natural world, that makes Strand a compelling read.
Henderson's Previous Works
As a freelance journalist, Henderson has written a number of articles for Sunset Magazine, Backpacker, Women’s Sports and Fitness, and Coastal Living. She has also published two books about hiking in Oregon:
- Day Hiking Oregon Coast, Mountaineers Books, 2007 (ISBN-13: 978-1594850264)
- Best Hikes with Kids: Oregon, Mountaineer Books, 2007 (ISBN-13: 978-0898866865)
Strand has Local Focus, but Global Significance
Though Strand focuses on a one-mile stretch of the Oregon coast, this is a global story of interest to people everywhere.
Anyone who has ever walked on the beach and cast their eye along the high tide line and wondered where it all came from, will find Stand: An Odyssey of Pacific Ocean Debris, a fascinating read.
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