When Your Wallet Flies...Into the Ocean; A Travel Short Story

During a carefree girls’ trip to California, we were laughing and lounging at the beach when one friend decided to shake the sand off our blanket with an enthusiastic snap. For a split second, I watched in horror as my wallet—stuffed with all my cash and ID—lifted into the air, silhouetted beautifully against the sky... before disappearing straight into the ocean.

The timing couldn’t have been worse. I had a flight to catch to Las Vegas to meet my family, followed by a connection home. With no ID, it felt impossible. But I learned there is a way to fly without it. Thanks to photocopies of my driver’s license and passport, plus a long string of questions and security checks, I made it on board.

Lesson learned: keep backups of your documents—and maybe don’t store your wallet on the beach blanket.