Thanks to recent threads I’ve shared that my states visited are 50, countries (per the link to create a map which I question the total) as 32, including 4 continents (1 of which is in the barely checked off category so I’m hesitant to count it, more than the plane touching down but not much, a half day cruise visit). I would consider us seasoned travelers who are careful. Having said that, we’ve had one problem, which was in the US.
While visiting Alaska, we parked at Earthquake Park to walk to the overlook (short, 50-100 feet). Upon arrival there were several cars in the lot, and we were only going “right over there”. My wife left her purse in the car. We went a little out of sight and returned a few minutes later to an empty parking lot, save our car, which now had a busted out window and less stuff in it. We later were told this is an area where homeless people live in the woods. Moral of the story, as several have said, USE COMMON SENSE and DON’T DROP YOUR GUARD!
The “funny” part of the story is what happened after. This occurred a year or two after 9/11 when all the photo ID and screenings had been added. My wife had all of her ID and credit cards taken, everything. I still had my cash, credit cards, and driver’s license. We were at the beginning of a land trip and were going to catch a one way cruise through the inner passage, which would visit Canada. To board that cruise and eventual plane home we had brought our passports, both of which were now missing.
Question: Where was the nearest passport office?
Answer: Seattle.
How does one get there?
Either by plane or through Canada, which both require ID.
If we’d been outside the US we could go to an embassy and it would’ve been easier. But we were in the US, so no problem, right? We tried to see about getting our passports replaced, but didn’t have any success in finding a timely way to make it happen without showing up in person.
Both of our birth certificates were safely in our safety deposit box in the Midwest, which only the two of us could open. I was starting to wonder if I’d have to fly home just to get them.
We ended up ordering a new birth certificate for me and having it overnighted to a hotel. Friends with access to our house were able to get her school photo ID, and got a birth certificate for her in person (we still lived in the city where she was born). I’m good to go, she just needs to get an Alaska photo ID so she has a government issued ID, which the birth certificate and photo ID should allow for. We went to the BMV and were turned away!
Now what? We went to the Federal building (?) in Anchorage to try to find out. First thing that happens? They want to see a photo ID to enter. At this point, we’ve been dealing with this for about 3 days, and have 2 more to go to the cruise. Stressful time to say the least. My wife broke down in tears at the request for the photo ID by the Alaska State Troopers.
After explaining our plight and me showing ID, they let us in. We visited a couple of offices, finally ending up in then Senator Ted Stevenson’s office. He wasn’t there, but his aides were most helpful. They finally verified that we should be able to get the Alaska photo ID (like a driver’s license but without the test and driving privilege) with what we had. The lady even called the BMV to explain the rules and tell them we were on the way. We went back, were welcomed with open arms, and walked out with one of the more unique souvenirs of our travels.
To finish up, when it came to board the cruise, they opened boarding around noon with a 10 PM or so departure. We decided to show up early, just to be sure we hadn’t missed anything. This was in Seward. My original thought was we get on, leave the luggage, and walk back into town to spend some time. However, once we got on, I couldn’t pry DW’s hands off the rail! I don’t think she has ever been so relieved to get somewhere in her life!
I’ll repeat what’s been said, use your head! We let our guard down for a brief time and someone took advantage. While stressful and it cost us some $$$, it could’ve been worse. We might have had to spend more money because we missed the cruise (fully paid for and no insurance) and needed a plane ticket home.
Or, DW might have become a permanent Alaska resident, which at one point we thought would be the likely outcome!