Smells that transport one

[Kevin Peacocke]

Up nice and early with the dawn having a half-hearted attempt in the east, sitting in a canvas chair with a cup of coffe and the subtle morning smells. Isn't it amazing how even a hint of a smell can bring on such powerful nostalgia, set you up to haul out the fishing rods or the decoys? Here are a few that have a direct line to my soul:
Leather
Rhodesian blend tobacco
Linseed oil

What does it for your snout?

 

[Ragman]

Every single time I smell a freshly fired shotgun shell it takes me back to 1973 when I was 4 years old. Dad would stick me and my younger brother behind him in the weeds when he was duck hunting. His empty shells would end up back there with us and I loved the smell of them.

 

[Andrew62]

As a very young boy my dad would take me trout fishing on opening day. There used to be an old man who fished where dad would put me, and he was always smoking his pipe. Every time I smell someone smoking a pipe it takes me back to those cold spring mornings and the old man smoking a pipe.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Walnut. When I was at university I saved up from odd jobs and bought a BSA Airsporter S, the stock on that air rifle was way above it's station and smelled like a British gun room.
A busy workshop with freshly turned steel. I went to Alan Wilson technical high school and workshop class was a treat.

 

[Brod]

Fresh Earth scent wafers = bowhunting whitetails
Gun powder = pheasants
Anise or vanilla = black bear

 

[fourfive8]

Certain kinds of freshly ground coffee- hard to describe but I know it when I smell it
Just fired shotshell- found laying on frosted clump of dropseed grass just at daybreak
Moist tundra

 

[Wyatt Smith]

One of my favorite smells is old books, makes me very nostalgic.

 

[GuttormG]

The smell of sea, reminds me of all of seawater leaks I have dealt with..
The smell of rotten forrest, reminds me of deerhunting

The smoke of burning birch!

 

[Scott CWO]

Something you smell in that magical September timeframe in the Colorado high country when you stumble onto a muddy, musky, urine and semen soaked elk wallow with the aromatic mud thrown all about and even part way up the trunks of the surrounding trees by rut-crazed wallowing bull elk that are trying to make themselves smell and look like the “bull of the woods” for the estrus cows and rivals.

 

[bowjijohn]

Smell of the earth just after the rain

wood smoke

Cow shit

Saddle leather

Dog

propellant after a shot

All have the power to evoke memories or instantly transport me to places and times

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Smell of the earth just after the rain

wood smoke

Cow shit

Saddle leather

Dog

propellant after a shot

All have the power to evoke memories or instantly transport me to places and times

Cow pats for sure, and elephant dung too are powerful.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Have you noticed how sometimes just a whiff is more powerful than in your face? Like the neighbours two houses up braaing a steak instantly has me lighting our fire.

 

[Pheroze]

The smell of a damp rugby pitch. That smell evokes a lot of memories. Playing rugby was some of the best experiences of my youth and opened the doors to more off the pitch.

Sitting in the woods as the sun comes up. There is a particular fragrance to the morning air that is soothing.

 

[Tokoloshe Safaris]

Mopane wood fire

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Mopane wood fire

One of my favourites too.

 

[fourfive8]

Smells can also trigger negative memories.

Old cat litter
Decomposing body or carcass
Paper mill


Those with positive memories (some already posted)

Freshly ground coffee
Just fired shot shell hull
Tundra
Africa in burning season
Cut alfalfa
Wet horse
Elk

 

[Fatback]

The smell of growing tomato plants in the summer. Takes me back to my grandfather’s garden. I never miss a chance to smell mine when watering them during the evenings during summer time.

 

[WAB]

A freshly ploughed field or the smell of harvesting corn takes me back to riding the tractor with my grandpa. He was one of the best farmers in the county, a truly great man, and I was proud to be his grandson.

 

[Stormy Kromer]

The smell of a horse brings me to elk camp.

The smell of a duck slough makes me happy.

 

[slam8031]

A prescribed burn in a pine forest takes me back to the work my father did in forestry.
A mopane wood fire reminds me of the campfires shared in Africa.
freshly plowed fields take me to spring time!!