So many great, memory-inducing smells already listed above. As I read through your lists I was reminded of so many that mean so much for so many reasons.
But as I thought about just WHAT made the smells special, I realized that the circumstances around the smells brought more meaning to my mind than the odors themselves.
A wet dog for instance - the particulars of the odor may be the same, but drying a wet dog from letting it out to do it's business in the rain doesn't appeal to me; but gently drying an exhausted, wet, hardworking bird dog after a day afield together and then smelling him/her on the way home while they are curled-up in the front seat and your hand is resting on their wet fur is one of my all-time faves.
I don't like to get hot and sweaty and smell myself most times, but after traipsing miles after elk in the morning and being bone-soaked wet from rain or dew on the outside and sweat from the inside as the mid-day sun and dry air turn from humid to arid, the dried sweat and salt leave an acrid reminder of effort that makes me smile.
There are many other examples, but possibly the most stark one is the smell of a locker room at the end of football camp. It is simply disgusting if you're not on the team. But, oh how I miss and can recall it over 30 years from last suiting-up.
One more, bow-hunting related, I always snap off a few sassafras twigs when able and carry them in my pocket. I chew on the twigs to freshen my breath and then periodically crush the leaves in my fingers to smell it while roving around the woods.
Topic: Whats your favorite smell? (Read 1701 times)
