THE MISSION OF SJC

Stephanie sat on the bed in her cabin writing to her younger sister, Elizabeth, on her cell phone. She and her sister were best friends, and being away from her for a whole year made Stephanie homesick. She and Elizabeth were chatting about the nice weather Stephanie was seeing and how excited she was about finding the cities of gold, as well as how things were going back home for Elizabeth. Elizabeth told Stephanie she had her first zit. Stephanie sent a message back saying, "Welcome to the club of adolescence." She laughed as she sent that message.

Ben and Matthew came to the cabin to tell her to come outside, because the boat was just about to stop at the Dana Point Harbor. But before they did Ben studied her profile. "I know I vowed to swear off women," he said to Matthew, "but isn't she gorgeous?"

Matthew nodded. "But Ben, she's hardly looked at you. She thinks you're a dweeb."

"She won't once I make a move this time," Ben said. "Watch the master." He went up behind Stephanie and tapped her on the shoulder. "Hey, Steph," he said. "Whatcha doin'?"

Stephanie looked up. "Oh, hi Ben," she said. "I was just instant-messaging my younger sister. Gosh, she and I are the best of friends. I've only been gone a day, and I miss her so much. I'm just telling her about the sights I've seen so far."

Ben leaned close to her. "Don't forget to mention the handsome boy in the top hat you will someday marry," he said with a grin. "The one you think is cuter than Ryan Philippe."

"In your dreams," laughed Stephanie.

"OK, I'll dream about it tonight," said Ben. "But Lionel and Alexis want you outside now. Our boat is about to dock."

Stephanie followed Ben and Matthew outside. She was just in time, too, because they were just about to dock.

Lionel and Alexis saw them. "Oh, good, you're all here. OK, are you all ready to visit the historic San Juan Capistrano mission?"

"Yes!" yelled the excited teenagers.

After docking the boat, the travelers took a bus to one nearest the San Juan Capistrano mission. They walked over to the mission, and the first thing they did was eat their snacks so they wouldn't get hungry throughout the day. Although, they did feed some of their snacks to the pigeons.

Then Lionel and Alexis walked them around and told them about the priests who used to preach at the mission and showed them all of the historic parts of the mission and the murals of American Indians who had lived in that area long ago, as well as the Indians of Mexico. The kids were fascinated by it.

After the tour they went to the gift shop to buy souvenirs of the mission.

On their way back, Lionel and Alexis asked if everybody had a good time.

"We sure did," said Matthew. "I don't think I ever learned so much in one day! Usually I'm falling asleep in class, especially through Mr. Weinmueller's algebra class!"

Ben laughed. "You should have my English teacher," he said. "He could put you to sleep in a split second!" Everyone laughed.

That night Stephanie wrote to her sister again: "Elizabeth, you wouldn't believe how awesome the San Juan Capistrano mission is! Not just the friendly pigeons, but the whole history of the place is magnificent! I sure can't wait to tell you everything I learn about and see when I get to the cities of gold! Good night for now. Hope you have a good night's sleep! Love you! Love, Steph".

TO FOLLOW...

A storm sweeps up on the ocean. The group tries to find a safe dock, but their boat only pulls out further into the ocean, and Stephanie is knocked into the water and is carried away by the tides. Make sure you read the next episode of THE MYSTERIOUS CITIES OF GOLD REVISITED.