What's your "Happy place"?

[william schmaltz]

Moose camp. Calm, frosty, and foggy 20 degree September mornings when you can hear faint bull grunts slowly grow louder until they emerge from the fog. I haven’t found a wildlife interaction that has come close. Not convinced it exists.

The northern plains/grasslands. Watching the breeze of a warm June day blowing waves in a sea of grass. Then watching as the day transitions to a pink sunset and thunder clouds forming in the southwest to finally reach the apex of a thunder and light show an hour or two later later. The sights, sounds, smells, beauty and power of the whole scene are hard to match. The whole scene carries a nostalgia. Anyone can fall in love with Dall sheep mountains, they’re plastered over every screen saver and inside every office building; it takes true love and understanding of nature to appreciate the plains.
“The sunlit plains are a vision splendid.” - Clancy of the Overflow

My true happy place would be holding my daughter one more time.

 

[Kilboars]

Anytime in the woods but recently:

 

[MNGrouser]

My first answer is a cliff on the shore of "Curiosity Lake" in northern Ontario. My brother and I "discovered" it at a fishing resort when we were in high school. We always had to see what was over the next hill. Spent a lot of time portaging in to blue dots on a map that ended up being only a couple feet deep and froze out every winter. Found some decent fishing at a couple of them. The best fishing we ever had was at "Curiosity Lake"...don't bother looking for it on a map, we named it ourselves. The walleye fishing was always fantastic. One fall in college I took a solo trip and portaged in myself. There was a steep vertical granite cliff at the east end of the lake. I hiked my tent up to the top of that cliff, hiked back down to fish all day, and smoked a cigar as I watched the sunset that evening. My happiest place for a very long time.


Then I discovered this little corner of a ranch in northeast Montana. Right as you crest the saddle there is a large boulder conveniently located to hide you from the deer and provide some stability for your binoculars. I have permission from the ranch owners to let my ashes be spread here when the time comes.

 

[Hectocotylus]

The spot where i first thought I really got “back there” deep. Over the ridge from the trail. Now I know I’m not the only person to ever be there or whatever but it’s so special whenever I go there. Gets the emotions going whenever I go up or can bring someone I value to that place. Can’t wait to go back even though it’s a lot easier now.


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[Mojave]

Aside from places like strip clubs, moonlight bunny ranch, elk camp and Oktoberfest in Munich. I adore complete solitude on mountain hunts.

 

[Crusader]

Sitting in my deer stand in Missouri on opening morning on my property. Just wondering what is going to show up. Mostly dreaming of Mr. Big.

Same here!

 

[GSPHUNTER]

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I like your spot. and your dogs.

 

[akcabin]

When I first got to Alaska near 45 years ago, I knew I wanted a cabin in the bush. 20 some years ago I got the opportunity to stake 20 acres of remote cabin land. In the middle of nowhere Alaska. And my beautiful wife n me built this 16x24 log cabin. And as I got older I'm sure glad that I now have the ability to get out n hunt and be comfortable. And never see anyone else except for the folks I'm out with. And my beautiful wife really enjoys the time out.
I was able to call in a 58" non typical moose and watch our son harvest his first moose. Yeah, this is my happy place !!!!!

 

[bigmoose]

My happy place is on this mountain in the middle of Colorado. I would even be happier if I had a deer tag in my pocket. Just feels like home to me.

 

[jtevanMT]

We rent an off-grid cabin during elk season each year in SW Montana. The cabin sits on top of a mountain ridge in a meadow and we glass elk, deer and bighorn sheep from the cabin. This is a special place for our family and a beautiful setting.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

I’ve sat for countless hours in this spot just breathing slowly and pondering life situations.

First time I backpacked up here I was 6 years old with my dad’s old aluminum framed, red, boy scout pack. Still had all the patches, badges and all.

I’ve been back here probably 100 times or more over the decades. I’ve caught countless rainbow trout and crawdads in that bay and surrounding alpine lakes. Watched ospreys and eagles fish for hours. Spent the best quality time with parents and siblings here camping and backpacking. Proposed to my wife at this spot. Took my own boys up to this spot when they were 3 and 5.

I hope everyone has a place that when they think of, nothing but pure joy and calmness overwhelms them.

 

[EastHumboldt]

There is a small springfed creek in a mountain valley about 20 minutes from my house. I walk the dogs there in the summer, snow shoe, and cross country ski there in the winter. I’ve seen kingfishers osprey black bear mule deer, beaver, coyotes, and bald eagles. A few years back my brother and I walked into a fresh lion killed muley doe. It was kind of scary but cool at the same time. It’s not very far off the road, but I hardly ever run into anyone back there. The lush Meadows, the wildflowers, the shade of the pines, and the burbling of the creek… All of these things just refresh my soul. I’m filled with gratitude that it’s there, and so accessible for me.

 

[Ringbill27]

90% of the time I’m duck hunting.

 

[Ringbill27]

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Awesome!

 

[grfox92]

Happy Place.

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[Amos Keeto]

My "Happy Place"?
Well, it's still there, but it ain't what it used to be!
It's now part of the "Keechi Creek WMA" in Leon County, Texas.
Hunted with dad, grampa, my great uncle, and a myriad of friends.
From the age of 3 until I was 32 years old, it was the ONLY place I hunted.
Ducks, deer, squirrel, hogs.
Caught catfish and sand bass.
Long gone.

 

[farmermail]

A western hillside, glassing with a hope fostered from those occasional moments that are not forgotten.

 

[bluesulphur]

I don't have a particular happy place anymore, but when I daydream it's usually about Alaska based adventures.

 

[northhiker83]

I’m always happiest near or in the water. It’s so calming sitting on my board at dawn patrol or being in the water spearfishing. Also love being on a small creek or stream up in the mountains and just soaking in the tranquility or at our camp on a lake in NH listening to the line.

 

[COJoe]

Being blessed to live in and hunt elk in Colorado provides so many memorable happy places for me, such as sitting on an old burn scar hunting mule deer in 89 degree weather while hummingbirds fly in front of your face and numerous types of bees and bugs fly all around you is actually really peaceful. And don't forget the playful chipmunks checking on me. The colors of the flies, bees and hummingbirds is only God breathed and I thank him for the opportunity to see His creation so vividly. However, my time with my wife camping is the best for me. Sitting in our dinnette drinking coffee and eating FRESH coffee cake is priceless. Reaching from my seat to the refrigerator for more food in the camper is the only work I do. Going for walks on old jeep trails and other trails with our dogs is comforting and pleasantly relaxing. We'll be heading to Trinidad in July for a couple days of food, fun and walks in our Happy Lifestyle. Also, a strong, spirit filled church service makes me really happy......