Preparations for getting underway continue in the last few days before setting off. Larger equipment is brought aboard and last-minute provisions stowed. The vessel, expedition party, and crew take part in an annual parade of fishing vessels and a celebration marking the end of the sardine fishing season, which happens to be taking place in Monterey Bay the day before their departure. Steinbeck digresses into a discussion of their attempts to obtain permits for their collection expedition in Mexico. Because of the war, he is concerned that any soldiers they meet might not understand the nature of their equipment and the purpose of their travels. After they fail to gain any assistance from the US State Department, they find a Mexican ambassador who is unexpectedly helpful and provides them.....
