Chapter 11
Samuel opened up his wallet and paid the driver after he and Carolanne stepped out of the vehicle. With new luggage rolling behind them, they walked up to the ticket counter to purchase their plane tickets. The airport was quite different than Samuel had imagined. He expected it to be more like the train depot or bus station, but discovered it was much larger. This was his first time ever in an airport and, he had to admit, it was a bit overwhelming.
After asking one of the airport workers for directions to their gate, they anxiously stood in line to board the plane. Samuel glanced out the large window to the tarmac where a huge passenger jet awaited. He saw the passengers at the front of their line ascending steps to board the large aircraft.
Samuel smiled down at Carolanne and grasped her hand. While their people didn't show much by way of public displays of affection, Samuel saw no harm in openly holding his wife's hand. If she was as nervous as he was about boarding an aircraft for the first time, he knew she appreciated the comforting gesture. Although his trust was in Der Herr for their safety, he couldn't help but feel a bit apprehensive about soaring amidst the clouds. After all, if it was God's will for humans to fly, wouldn't he have given them wings?
It surprised Samuel how easy it had been to obtain permission from the bishop to fly. Normally, air travel was verboten and only allowed in extreme circumstances. Thankfully, their bishop was a compassionate man and he empathized with Samuel's plight. Samuel felt it was the least he could do for his sweet wife, and the thought of losing her greatly pained his heart.
Since Samuel knew the Fisher family in his former church district had relatives in California, he had asked Minister Fisher for help in locating a driver. It just so happened that Joanna and Caleb Scott, sister and brother-in-law to Minister Fisher, resided in the Bay Area. Minister Fisher's sister had married an Englischer years ago and they'd become missionaries in Central America. Just recently, they'd retired from the foreign mission field and began a missions ministry in Northern California.
“How was your flight?” Caleb asked glancing over his shoulder to his passengers in the back seat.
“I enjoyed it more than I thought I would, but I must admit I am happy to have my feet back on solid ground,” Samuel replied.
“Well, I don't know how solid the ground is. You know this place is known for its earthquakes,” Caleb teased.
“Don't let him scare you,” his wife Joanna chimed in. “We do get earthquakes, but they aren't all that common.”
“Samuel tells me you have relatives in Pennsylvania,” Carolanne added.
“Jah, my folks and brothers and sister live in Paradise. My younger brother Jonathan is a minister now.” Joanna laughed. “I never imagined my mischievous little brother becoming a preacher. He was always into some kind of trouble when we were growing up!”
“Sounds like my brother and I,” Samuel commented.
“So you used to be Amish too, then?” Carolanne asked continuing her conversation with Joanna.
“Yes. I never planned on leaving, but it turned out that God had other plans for me,” Joanna said.
Caleb gave Joanna's hand a gentle squeeze. “And boy, am I glad for that! I couldn't have been blessed with a better helpmeet. God knew how much I needed her.”
“I am the one that's blessed,” Joanna insisted. “And thank you for asking us to drive you. We haven't been to San Simeon and Cambria in years. We kind of spent our second honeymoon there. It will be nice to go back.”
“This beautiful drive is amazing, but I can't wait to get there.” Carolanne glanced out the window of the sedan, watching the Pacific Ocean as they traveled. She tried not to let the speed at which they traveled bother her. Riding gently along in a buggy was one thing she loved about the Plain lifestyle. “I've always dreamed of sitting on the beach and watching the sun set over the ocean.”
“Well, believe me, you won't be disappointed. It's beautiful,” Joanna said. “And romantic.”
Carolanne smiled at Samuel, thinking how blessed she was to have such a sweet, caring husband. “Will we be there in time to see it tonight?”
“We should be able to catch it after checking in to the motel,” Caleb said. “And after that, maybe we can enjoy a nice dinner at the Cavalier. I love their sourdough bread bowls filled with clam chowder.” He licked his lips.
“That sounds good to me,” Samuel said. “I could use a gut meal.”
“We'll go to the Main Street Grill in Cambria tomorrow,” Caleb said wiggling his eyebrows at Samuel in the rear view mirror.
Joanna laughed. “Is eating all you ever think about?”
“I'm a growing boy, what can I say?” Caleb raised his hands in protest, then quickly placed them back on the steering wheel so as not to frighten his passengers. Being considerate of others in the car was one thing that Joanna had taught him. He'd never considered how frightening traveling in a car at high speeds could be until he met his wife, who'd rarely been in cars before meeting him.
Samuel and Carolanne chuckled.
“Do you have any plans for sightseeing while you're here?” Caleb asked Samuel.
“Ach, I really didn't think much about it, other than spending time with my fraa,” Samuel said. “Do you have any suggestions?”
“Well, let's see. There's Hearst Castle. We've never been there before, but have heard it's pretty amazing,” Caleb said.
“Really? A castle?” Samuel's interest piqued.
“Yes, there was a wealthy man, William Randolph Hearst, who owned several publications. He hired an architect and I've heard he even had some stone pillars imported from Rome or Greece or somewhere. Anyway, it's supposed to be something to see. There's a free visitors' center, if you'd like to go check it out one of these days.”
Samuel looked to Carolanne for approval. “Jah, we'd like to see that if it's not too much trouble.”
“The elephant seals are a pretty interesting sight, as well. And you two will love the Fiscalini Trail,” Caleb said. “There's an old school house over by Sebastian's Store in San Simeon that reminds me of an Amish school. You should check that out too.”
“Caleb, I'm sure they'll want to relax some while they're here too.” Joanna laughed.
“I don't want Carolanne to overdo it. This trip is for her, so whatever she wants to do is fine with me,” Samuel said. He leaned over to Carolanne, and gently grazed her cheek with his lips out of sight of the front passengers.
“I'd like to do all of that if I'm up to it,” Carolanne said with a smile, intertwining her fingers with her husband's.
Several hours later, as the sun faded into the horizon, Carolanne sat contentedly on the beach. With Samuel's strong arms wrapped around her, she soaked in the last few rays of sunshine to the sound of crashing waves. The sun's warmth turned into a chilly breeze as the sky rapidly darkened.
“Joanna was right. This is romantic...and beautiful,” Carolanne commented.
“Nothing can compare to Der Herr's beauty. And I thank Him for giving me a beautiful fraa to enjoy His wunderbaar masterpiece with,” Samuel said.
Carolanne smiled up at her gracious husband. “Ich liebe dich, Samuel.”
“I love you too, Carolanne,” Samuel replied. He pulled her close for a slow sweet kiss as a canopy of stars now twinkled above them.