Describe the setting in Chapters 1 & 6 in Of Mice and Men, and how is it important to the novel?

In both chapters One and Six, of Of Mice and
Men by John Steinbeck, the setting is the same.  Lennie and George are near
the Salinas River (close to Soledad, CA).  The setting is described as
follows:

The
water is warm too, for it has slipped twinkling over the yellow sands in the sunlight
before reaching the narrow pool. On one side of the river the golden foothill slopes
curve up to the strong and rocky Gabilan Mountains, but on the valley side the water is
lined with trees.

There is a path through the willows and
among the sycamores, a path beaten hard by boys coming down from the ranches to swim in
the deep pool, and beaten hard by the tramps who come wearily down from the highway in
the evening to jungle-up near the water. In front of the low horizontal limb of a giant
sycamore there is an ash pile made by many fires; the limb is worn smooth by men who
have sat on it.

It is here
where readers come to find out of the problems and plans of the novels two protagonists;
this sets up the plot, introduces the initial conflicts and, as well as, offers some
foreshadowing.  The setting of Chapter One and Six is important given it is where the
novel both ends and begins.  The setting is also important because this seems to be the
place where Lennie finds complete comfort.  Everywhere else he has gone, it seems that
he has gotten into trouble.  Here, by the river, Lennie is free to be who he is.  The
importance of ending the novel at the same location seems to be for the benefit of both
George and Lennie. Lennie can, once again, be himself, be comfortable and George knows
that Lennie loves the river.