The Legend of Kaats and Why Ketchikan is So Rainy
Ketchikan, Alaska , is known for a handful of things. There's the famous Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show. The stores up on stilts. Long, steep staircases that are actually considered streets, complete with road signs. And the largest collection of standing totem poles in the world. And the rain. Ketchikan is known for its rain. Thanks to its location between the sea and mountains, Ketchikan can get rather soggy. And, while this weather trend can easily be explained by science, I learned about a local Tlingit legend when I was at Totem Bight State Park that I like a whole lot better. The Legend of Kaats There once was a great Tlingit hunter named Kaats. He was so talented at hunting and trapping and fishing that nobody else in his village ever had to worry about gathering food. One day Kaats was hunting deep in the forest and came upon a fierce she-bear. But this bear was also a shape-shifter. And, upon seeing the mighty Kaats, she changed into her human