The story starts with the main character, John Steinbeck, preparing for his journey. He makes the decision to go, and begins preparing. He plans to take his old mobile home through all of the United States. Along the way he has many great and memorable experiences. He first travels north, where he sees the American Spirit in action. He then travels back south, and goes west through New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. He encounters truck drivers, and old friends here. This part was one of his most memorable. He then holds this route all the way through South Dakota and on to Washington State. But before he makes it to Washington State, he stops in Chicago to see his wife. This was the hardest part of the trip, because he had to say goodbye all