In 1970, Grand Funk Railroad produced their Closer To Home album. The iconic song on that album “I’m Your Captain” was their most definitive work summing up a band that greatly influenced us “chronically gifted” adults growing up in that era.

The lyrics "I'm getting closer to my home” sums up the troubles and excitement of travel but also the great feeling of coming home again. In this painting, the young man with his travel companion dog is finishing a journey of towns as indicated by the travel stickers on his suitcase. The reality of his travel stickers is that he did not travel more than 10 or so miles away but such a great trip for someone so young.

The Strasburg Railroad was founded in 1832 is America’s oldest continuously operating railroad. The painting's whimsey notes actual vintage rules for riding the railroad and a very lighthearted reflection of some of the region's uniquely named towns. The railcar represented is car 65. The clock is an image of the clock in the main boarding area.