Continued from Page 8
said, “although I doubt anyone would want
to handle the bloodworms.”
The program’s microscopes are a popular
feature. “Observing plankton and other sam-
ples through the microscopes is really pop-
ular,” Chandler said. “Kids love the mag-
net sticks we have for them to explore on
the beach. The sand has a lot of magne-
tite and the magnet will separate it from the
sand, sort of like using an Etch-a-Sketch,” he
added.
Brochures and pamphlets are also avail-
able for visitors, as are a collection of his-
toric photographs. Visitors can compare what
the beach and the Seaside Promenade looked
like in the past in comparison to its present.
“People are fascinated to see how the
landscape has changed,” Chandler said.
“There was much less space between the
Prom and the tide line and there was even
a pier. The Prom was originally built as
a barrier to protect businesses and homes
from ocean waves, but now that’s no longer
necessary since the dunes have built up,”
LEFT: A sign and tent point visitors
in the direction of the Seaside Beach
Discovery Program.
he added.
When jetties were built up along the
Columbia River over a century ago, sedi-
ment and sand begun to accumulate along
the nearby coast, altering its landscape.
“The beach was much steeper to access
and wasn’t originally sand, but cobble-
stones,” Chandler said. “The steps going
down to the beach from the Turnaround are
still disappearing under sand today. There
once were sixteen steps going down to the
beach, all buried,” he added.
Another popular program display is a
sampling of diff erent sands from beaches
around the world, highlighting the diver-
sity present in seaside landscapes. Some vis-
itors are even inspired to contribute a piece
of home.
“People who have visited Seaside and our
Discovery Program will send us sand from
their home beaches for comparison,” Chan-
dler said.
To fi nd the Seaside Beach Discovery Pro-
gram, look for the blue tent near the Sea-
side Aquarium. All events are free and open
to the public. “Just remember we’re weather
dependent,” Chandler said, “so if it’s pour-
ing rain sideways or the wind blows our tent
away, we might not be there. Otherwise,
we’re ready to share the fun.”
ORIGINAL FINE ART
on the waterfront • port of ilwaco, wa
marie-powell.com • 360-244-0800
THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2022 // 9