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

Surry, in Virginia, is a tiny little rural town with very little going on aside from one blinking caution light by the courthouse (across from the auto parts store and the Feed and Seed, next to The Surry House of Fashions). Not even a McDonald's in the whole county.

There is one cool thing though - the Jamestown Ferry. Two boats move back and forth across the James river from Scotland Wharf on the south side to Jamestown Landing on the north. It's the way to get to WIllliamsburg without driving 60 miles, but it takes almost as long.

The ferry is a strange between thing that doesn't really exist in its own right: not as permanent as a bridge, you can actually miss it. The pair even kind of back up all day, depending on your perspective. They have schedules, they have names (the Pocohantas, by gum), but they are odd, unpredictable throwbacks to a very different way of life.

They are not interested in the fast trip. They take pains to avoid the rough spots (well, sandbars actually), and once you are safely on board, they are entirely relaxing. The ferry is where you get out of your car and look at the world, and it is still beautiful.