h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Well, amazingly enough it can be both.
The shire I imagined from the wonderful books my parents read to me in my childhood was captured and brought to life when Peter Jackson brought us "The Lord of the Rings". I often wonder if I'll ever achieve the wealth that it would take to secure the landscape and ingenious architecture of this place. I would love to live amongst nature instead of above it.
I have come across a restaraunt in Shelburne Falls, MA named "The Shire", I was a cook there for a short time. The proprieters claim that the name is common enough to use as thier own, but it occured to me one day long after the end of my employment that they also used a large tree on top of a hill as the trademark on their street sign and merchandise. It seems to me that having these similarities draws people in. They have decorated the interior with figurines from the Hobbitt and have various posters depicting scenes from the trilogy. The food is first class, but highly over priced.
If your ever in Shelburne Falls I recommend eating at the Bottle of Bread instead.