Being on a boat that’s moving through the water, it’s so clear. Everything falls into place in terms of what’s important and what’s not.
~ James Taylor
After our short stroll through Colonial Williamsburg, M and I and our friends made our way by car to the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry to cross the James River. Our destination was Smithfield, home of the Smithfield Ham (which, by a law passed in 1926, is required to be made within the town limits in order to be called a Smithfield Ham).
Smithfield, first colonized in 1634, is in Isle of Wight County and located on the Pagan River. It’s a cute little town with plenty of shops, a few restaurants, and lovely old homes and historic buildings.
I will tell you more about Smithfield in another post. For now, let’s enjoy the ferry ride across the James River.
Thoughts will change and shift just like the wind and the water when you’re on a boat; thoughts are no different than anything else.
~ Jeff Bridges
My favorite part of our trip was the ferry ride and our short explorations along the James River. The water took on the most beautiful hues when we were ferried across the river around noon, and then again near sunset. I don’t know if it happened to be the lighting that day or if the James River is always so wondrously colorful.
The Jamestown-Scotland Ferry is free, run by the Virginia Department of Transportation. The crossing takes 15-20 minutes. I’m not sure how many vehicles the ferry can transport, but it was smaller than many of the ferries M and I have had the pleasure of riding. We didn’t have to wait long for either of the crossings we made.
You can leave your car and walk around the boat during the crossing. There was a group of kids feeding the seagulls at the back of the ferry during our first trip across the river. It gave me a chance to practice photographing birds in flight. It doesn’t get much easier than shooting seagulls when they’re being fed.
I’m surprised no one from the ferry crew put a stop to it. Usually feeding the seagulls is discouraged.
I enjoyed watching them so I’m kind of glad the kids were allowed to feed the gulls.
It’s time to wrap this up. Thank you for stopping by today, and joining me on a short trip across the James River in Virginia. We have had a beautiful day here at the Wabi-Sabi Ranch. Sunny, warm, and very spring-like.
I hope your Tuesday has been smooth and delightful. Sunrise, at 7:20 AM, was gorgeous this morning, and I suspect sunset will be the same. Let’s meet on the dock around 6:45 PM or so. Sunset is now at 7:06 PM, and it’s good to get there early.
Be good, be kind, be loving. Just Be. 🙂
breezes at dawn 
Glorious colours, Robin, river and sky… And the Seagulls, such mastery of flight, almost mob handed. 🙂 and no wonder with food in sight. Lovely travelling the ferry with you ,…xPenx
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Looks like a lovely day for a ferry ride. I especially like that next to last photo. You can really see the color of the water in that one.
Hugs from Ecuador,
Kathy
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I think that’s an osprey as well. I saw one in SD a couple years ago. Thanks for sending greetings to my Dad! 🙂
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I really enjoyed the trip. I always enjoy a good boat ride. Loved the colors of the river, and especially liked the lines in ‘looking back.’
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Ohhhh… LOVE your gull pictures!!! Especially “Zooming in.” Feeding the gulls at our beach is against the rules but now I’m tempted to break them so I could get a few shots like these!
Ferry rides are almost always fun, too. I enjoy watching the scenery pass by on the shoreline (Once we took the ferry to Long Island on a stormy day in December – we all got seasick…)
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