Whenever Alaskans wander far from their home, a powerful sense of longing soon sets in, drawing them back to the wild lands and rivers of the far north.

Salmon have this same natal pining built into the genetics of their very being, knowing in some mysterious way that they must turn back from their oceanic wanderings and return to the streams of their birth. It even  happens when they find themselves hitchhiking on a lonely desert road with mythical jackalopes, horny toads and dinosaurs lurking all about.

This artwork was originally commissioned as the album cover art for ‘Aquatic Hitchhiker’ by Leftover Salmon, the world’s best “sockeyedlic” jam band, back in 2012.  Grace Freeman did the super fine sunset flavored  digital coloring.