Who is Idaho Man and Son from Travels with Charley: In Search of America and what is their importance?

Steinbeck takes a cabin in Idaho run by a burly man, hence the moniker Idaho man, and his son. The son wants to become a hair dresser for women, something that the father finds irritating and is a primary source of conflict with his son. Steinbeck defends the hair dresser's place in society, building the role up as knowing more about what goes on than anyone else due to the customer's willingness to talk while being groomed. This builds up the son's status in his father's eyes, and the son thanks Steinbeck before he leaves.