Chapter 30 Summary

The next morning, the Narrator checks out their beat up gear and makes a list of things to acquire and replace. He wakes Chris to help him with the laundry and leaves him to attend to that while he goes in search of a chain guard. Finding none, he locates a welding shop, but no one is there. He returns to get Chris, and they eat breakfast. There, they encounter a waitress who eyes them with a lonely look that catches the Narrator's attention. After this, they go to the welding shop again. The owner, after requiring the Narrator to do some initial cleaning up of the grease-covered, mangled guard, skillfully welds it to a serviceable state, greatly impressing the Narrator. They resume traveling and reach California. There is heavy traffic and the day is very cold. The faces reflect urban loneliness; the...