Through the Lightning Door

Thomas Doty – Storyteller

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Along the Oregon coast, the Lightning Door is described in native stories. With each wave it thunders open, and flashes of light reveal the path across the sea. Then the door smashes closed so quickly that anyone who tries to jump through is cut in half. Sometimes Thunderbird helps by flapping his wings into a powerful wind. This holds the door open long enough for people in a canoe to paddle through. Then they travel across the sea to visit the Tlxuna'i who live in bamboo forests far to the west.