Tommy Tumbleweed and his new friend, Pablo Prairieweed, have left Mr. Farmer’s vegetable farm, where Tommy and his parents lived. The journey begins on their adventure to become stars in Italy. It’s the first time that Tommy has ever left the farm. Their first stop is the San Fernando Mission, and Tommy and Pablo have been able to get inside the tall walls by going in with a busload of school children. Once inside, the kind elderly docents give all of them some history of the missions, and Tommy meets some old friends from the farm as well as some new friends. He loses his utility belt and later meets the groundskeeper, Rudy, who is going to give Tommy and Pablo a ride to Arizona. This story is meant to give the reader some history on the missions and some adventure and insight on friendships, love, and respect for others.