There's something intriguing about a pipe right? Maybe a step back in time. Somewhat of a lost art, a lost ritual of life. I think cigarette companies have done to tobacco what Mr. M#donald has done to the hamburger.
There are a number of factors that go into a good pipe smoking experience. Packing the tobacco is essential - otherwise you have too fast or too slow of a burn, both resulting in not so nice a smoke. Lighting and smoking is another subtle method. A pipe needs patience, to draw slowly, over time. Drawing in only often enough to keep the tobacco lit and smoking well.
It's a shame there aren't more places you can still puff a pipe legally in Portland. Now that smoking is outlawed inside, there are only a few places left with a permit. Most of these shops are exactly for smoking, so, one can feel the need to purchase something, maybe a cigar, every time they want to smoke. There aren't too many months in the Willamette Valley that cater to a nice time being outdoors smoking a pipe with out slowly turning in to the wet cold. Thankfully, there are some good tobacco shops in town where you can smoke and chat with a tobacconist, of which there are few legit ones left.
I would say Portland is one of the better places for a pipe smoker, at least on the West Coast. That is something to be thankful for.
Here's to a lost art, pipe smoking.
