He demonstrates his determination and toughness, even at his age, in wading out in the harbor at the height of the storm to save his boat the Fayre Eleyne. Steinbeck must delay his trip slightly due to Hurricane Donna which makes a direct hit on Long Island. He has a truck custom-designed for his journey and plans on leaving after Labor Day from his home in Sag Harbor, Long Island, New York. He is 58 years old in 1960 and at the end of his career, but he felt that he 'was writing of something he did not know about, and it seemed to him that in a so-called writer this is criminal' (6). In the two chapters of Part 1, Steinbeck describes his life long wanderlust and his preparations to travel the country after 25 years.

4.2.1 Reading Guide Questions for pages 249-273.

4.2 New Orleans and Mississippi (249-273).

4.1.1 Reading Guide Questions for pages 219-248.

4.1 Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, London (219-248).

3.3.1 Reading Guide Questions for pages 180-208.

3.3 Seattle, Oregon, and California (180-208).

3.2.1 Reading Guide Questions for pages 158-180.

3.2 Montana, Yellowstone, Idaho, and Washington (158-180).

3.1.1 Reading Guide Questions for pages 125-157.

3.1 Wisconsin and North Dakota (125-157).

2.4.1 Reading Guide Questions for pages 95-125.

2.3.1 Reading Guide Questions for pages 74-94.

2.3 Upstate New York and Niagara Falls (74-94).

2.1.1 Reading Guide Questions for pages 19-42.

2.1 Long Island to Connecticut (pages 19-42).

His whole trip encompassed nearly 10,000 miles. His trip was one that outlined the border of the United States, going all throughout the North, through the Pacific Northwest, down into his native Salinas Valley, across to Texas, up through the Deep South, and then back to New York. He started his travels in Long Island, New York. He traveled throughout the United States in a specially made camper called Rocinante, named after the horse of Don Quixote. However, he found that the 'new America' did not live up to his expectations. He had many questions going into his journey, the main one being 'What are Americans like today'. He wrote that he was moved by a desire to see his country on a personal level, since he made his living writing about it. It documents the driving trip he took with his poodle, Charley, around the United States in the 1960s.

Travels with Charley: Search of America is a travelogue by American author John Steinbeck. You can help by adding new material ( learn how) or ask for assistance in the reading room.

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Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck