Dream locations you want to smoke a pipe at?
thebadgerpiper
Master
in General
If you're like me, then you normally only have a chance to smoke a pipe at home, or maybe at work or a tobacco shop if you're lucky. However, I have a pretty big imagination, so while having a pipe, I'll sometimes daydream having a pipe in a much more scenic location. I've been fortunate to smoke my pipe in a few locations around the world, but there's places I'd like to visit one day, pull out my pipe, and take in the scenery.
So, where are some places you would like to smoke your pipe at? You can even throw in a few places that don't allow smoking of any kind just for fun.
1) Anywhere in Ireland- Though I've been to Ireland twice, and visited Peterson's of Dublin both times, I've yet to smoke my pipe in Ireland. Ireland is one of my favorite places to visit, and there's so much beautiful scenery in the emerald isle. Ideally, I'd want to have a pipe in the Irish countryside, sitting in a field by an old ruin or the remnants of an abandoned cottage slowly crumbling back to the earth.
2) Iona/St. Kilda, Scotland- Being a fan of all things Anglo/Celtic and maps, I'll spend hours on the internet exploring the many islands off the coast of Scotland, called the Hebrides. Three years ago, I was fortunate to spend a few nights on the Isle of Skye, which is part of the Inner Hebrides. It was a magical experience for me, and there's two more islands I hope to visit one day before I die. The first is Iona, the mythical grave site of King Arthur. I collect books on Arthurian lore, and the nerd in me would love to smoke my pipe while wandering the old abbey on Iona, searching for the legendary king's grave. St. Kilda is a more obscure choice. It was inhabited by people until the 20's/30's when the weather became too severe for a settlement, and the people had to be rescued off the island. The ruins of their village are still standing, though, and it's a dream of mine to one day walk among them. Again, my pipe would have to be by my side for such a trip.
3) Gettysburg, PA/Boswell's Pipes- As a child, I was fascinated by the American Civil War. While my interest has waned over the years, I still remember pouring over my history books and seeing all the old photos with soldiers smoking pipes. I'd love to visit the old battlefield one day, have a pipe and quietly honor the many men on both sides that sacrificed their lives in battle. Since it's in the same state, I'd also like to visit Boswell's legendary pipe shop and have a smoke at the tobacconist where I purchased my first pipe tobacco order (over the phone).
4) A lighthouse- Any lighthouse will do, honestly. I love visiting lighthouses, and the daydreamer in me has this romantic idea of living the life of a lighthouse keeper. I know it was rough, and sometimes lonely work, but the imagery still sticks with me. If laws weren't an issue, I imagine going to the top of a lighthouse and having a pipe while watching the ocean would be an unforgettable experience.
5) The Eagle and Child Pub- This is just a pipe dream, since UK smoking laws are so strict. Still, I'd love to visit the favorite haunt of the Inklings, order a drink, and sit with my pipe and imagine what it would've been like to be among the company of two of my favorite authors.
So, where are some places you would like to smoke your pipe at? You can even throw in a few places that don't allow smoking of any kind just for fun.
1) Anywhere in Ireland- Though I've been to Ireland twice, and visited Peterson's of Dublin both times, I've yet to smoke my pipe in Ireland. Ireland is one of my favorite places to visit, and there's so much beautiful scenery in the emerald isle. Ideally, I'd want to have a pipe in the Irish countryside, sitting in a field by an old ruin or the remnants of an abandoned cottage slowly crumbling back to the earth.
2) Iona/St. Kilda, Scotland- Being a fan of all things Anglo/Celtic and maps, I'll spend hours on the internet exploring the many islands off the coast of Scotland, called the Hebrides. Three years ago, I was fortunate to spend a few nights on the Isle of Skye, which is part of the Inner Hebrides. It was a magical experience for me, and there's two more islands I hope to visit one day before I die. The first is Iona, the mythical grave site of King Arthur. I collect books on Arthurian lore, and the nerd in me would love to smoke my pipe while wandering the old abbey on Iona, searching for the legendary king's grave. St. Kilda is a more obscure choice. It was inhabited by people until the 20's/30's when the weather became too severe for a settlement, and the people had to be rescued off the island. The ruins of their village are still standing, though, and it's a dream of mine to one day walk among them. Again, my pipe would have to be by my side for such a trip.
3) Gettysburg, PA/Boswell's Pipes- As a child, I was fascinated by the American Civil War. While my interest has waned over the years, I still remember pouring over my history books and seeing all the old photos with soldiers smoking pipes. I'd love to visit the old battlefield one day, have a pipe and quietly honor the many men on both sides that sacrificed their lives in battle. Since it's in the same state, I'd also like to visit Boswell's legendary pipe shop and have a smoke at the tobacconist where I purchased my first pipe tobacco order (over the phone).
4) A lighthouse- Any lighthouse will do, honestly. I love visiting lighthouses, and the daydreamer in me has this romantic idea of living the life of a lighthouse keeper. I know it was rough, and sometimes lonely work, but the imagery still sticks with me. If laws weren't an issue, I imagine going to the top of a lighthouse and having a pipe while watching the ocean would be an unforgettable experience.
5) The Eagle and Child Pub- This is just a pipe dream, since UK smoking laws are so strict. Still, I'd love to visit the favorite haunt of the Inklings, order a drink, and sit with my pipe and imagine what it would've been like to be among the company of two of my favorite authors.
Comments
I'll come up with other places soon...thanks for the challenge!!
But on the very occasional day in which it was decent on the weatherdecks, it was relaxing siting with the sun on your face, puffing whatever tobacco you had, and thinking of everyone back home. The sea which is often brutal, can also be a very serene and relaxing place to be.
@pwkarch Interesting, I wouldn't have thought that a pipe would go out so fast, but that makes sense. I imagine lighting a pipe on deck would be a huge pain.
@ghostsofpompeii I've visited one or two lighthouses, and they went into what life was like for a keeper. It didn't sound like fun, even living on the mainland. I imagine living on an island at a lighthouse would be even rougher.
@mfresa Nice choice with a fireplace. I've had a few pipes in front of a campfire, and it's always been a great experience.
The key is that there were exceptions. There were lighthouses that were isolated and hard to get to on both the east and west coasts. Tillamook Rock Lighthouse was on top of a huge rock island. It was resupplied by climbing over 100 feet up the side of the island and using a hoist to get supplies up. Once helicopters were in use by the Coast Guard, resupply was done by air. That didn't last long as it was decommissioned in 1957.
@pwkarch - I did my sea time on an icebreaker back in the 70s and when the weather was nice enough smokers would congregate on the fantail under the flightdeck so we seldom had the wind problem you described. I think our top speed was somewhere around 15 knots. Of course, this was back in the 1970s and we had only 4 areas where smoking was not allowed - the bridge, the helo hanger, sickbay and the galley. I've been retired since 1993 but I would bet no smoking is allowed on ship period these days.
Our Minesweeper had a top speed of around 13 knots SOG, it took forever to get somewhere and then get home.
We were allowed to smoke everywhere with the exception of the Mess Deck and the Berthing Compartments (and the weatherdecks during certain operations). I remember smoking with the Junior Officers on the bridge occasionally when the Captain was not there. I do know from reading that smoking onboard Navy vessels is not permitted except in specific locations that are posted as such. Even the military has become PC.
In the middle of the Bering Sea in the ice, about halfway between Alaska and Russia and 50 miles from open water.
On the beach in Honolulu.
in Auckland, Christchurch & Wellington, NZ
McMurdo Station, Antarctica
Palmer Station, Antarctica
Valparaiso, Chile
Key West, Fla. - In the original Sloppy Joe's bar among other places.
1) bagged my career much sooner.....
and
2) taken better care of myself.
On a veranda overlooking a fishing village in Greece.(Never been.)
Fishing in ANY location.
At the Oskosh EAA Fly In. (Bucket List)
Go to Home Depot or Lowes and get yourself a decent terra cotta Chimnea. Cool evenings or mornings sitting by the Chimnea crackling and popping is prime pipe smoking atmosphere. Add a little contemplative music and you are close to Heaven.
Do you favor the terra cotta over cast iron?
I have had both "metal" and terra cotta. I suppose a cast iron would be better than a generic stamped metal, but personally I prefer the terra cotta which just takes a little more TLC.