The greatest smoke I have ever had

[KBibbs]

2 nights ago, I had the best smoke I have ever had, believe it or not, out of a $7 Missouri Meerschaum, and a small bag of Captain Black. As many of you know, I was recently given a beautiful Orlik billiard and some quite nice baccy samples from Dan, but I have been waiting for a special occasion to break in the Orlik, and didn't have any of the baccy with me, as I was camping out with a friend. However, it just so happens that the local Longs Drugs had been changed to a CVS Pharmacy, and now sells pipe tobacco, as well as a few pipes. I spent about $15 on the pipe and tobacco and we went out and started a small bonfire. As it started getting colder, I decided to try out the cob (which I have heard good things about from here). After some failed windy lighting attempts, I got it lit and tamped (with my finger, I need to get a tamper) and started puffing away. About a quarter of the way down the bowl I started to get a little bit of tongue bite, and realized I was puffing pretty furiously. I remembered what many people have said about merely "sipping" the smoke and decided to try and focus on that, and suddenly all these subtle flavors became apparent. The pipe was burning perfectly, the tongue bite was gone, it was sublime! I have never felt so perfectly relaxed in my life as I did then. I felt as though there was a click in my brain and I suddenly understood the perfect way to smoke.
I may be wrong, but regardless, this was by far the greatest smoke of my life, out of a $7 pipe and some drug store baccy.
Sorry if this was long and didn't really go anywhere, just thought I would share my wonderful experience

[dmkerr]

Ha Ha - great story!

Technique aside, you'll find some of the best (and worst) smokes in your life will happen because of certain expectations and experiences. You were enjoying yourself. It works the other way, too. Sometimes ones favorite pipe and tobacco turns on them for one bowl - for seemingly unknown reasons. And sometimes a "lowly" cob and CBW can taste like nirvana. State of mind has as much to do with one's smoking experience as technique.

[Reverie Forest]

Glad to hear you found that experience that'll keep you puffing.

What area do you live that CVS sells tobak? I thought Longs was just a local thing, and now they're all CVS, but I haven't seen any pipe products.

[KBibbs]

Originally Posted by Reverie Forest

Glad to hear you found that experience that'll keep you puffing.

What area do you live that CVS sells tobak? I thought Longs was just a local thing, and now they're all CVS, but I haven't seen any pipe products.

Small town of Buellton (home of Pea Soup Andersons) near Solvang (the fake danish town). Closest decent size city being Santa Barbara. I hadn't seen any either until my friend told me about it. It's just a really recent thing, but I like this change.

[Reverie Forest]

Originally Posted by KBibbs

Small town of Buellton (home of Pea Soup Andersons) near Solvang (the fake danish town). Closest decent size city being Santa Barbara. I hadn't seen any either until my friend told me about it. It's just a really recent thing, but I like this change.

I'll never forget seeing the signs for Anderson's Pea Soup while driving up to Monterey as a little kid.
You live in a beautiful area...I do visit Solvang every now and then for a relaxing drive and some wine tasting.
Glad to see another southern Californian pipe smoker here. Welcome, and happy puffing.

[KBibbs]

Originally Posted by Reverie Forest

I'll never forget seeing the signs for Anderson's Pea Soup while driving up to Monterey as a little kid.
You live in a beautiful area...I do visit Solvang every now and then for a relaxing drive and some wine tasting.
Glad to see another southern Californian pipe smoker here. Welcome, and happy puffing.

It's actually kind of funny, I didn't realize until after I posted that, that your hometown says Ventura. My avatar picture thing is from Solvang, a small (mostly cigar and fairly expensive) smoke shop is there, but not much else, but Solvang does make for a nice change of scenery every now and then.