All photos courtesy of @WhereYouSmoke

@WhereYouSmoke sprouted in a moment shared between a spliff and the great outdoors. Run by an anonymous artist who grew up in LA, the Instagram account and online platform celebrates cannabis lovers who like to light up alongside Mother Nature. Each week, we’ve asked @WhereYouSmoke to share a few favorite Instagram uploads with MERRY JANE, and so far the dude has blown our minds with what he's sent us. To kick off this week's column, though, he wanted to share the awesome story of a close friend and fellow outdoor toker:

One summer, I went on a family vacation to Ibiza to hang and just bask in the island’s beauty. After long days, my little brother and I would sit outside by the pool and just sesh as we took in our surroundings. Outside my room was a pool surrounded by the area’s natural flora (pretty damn magnificent), and late one night I noticed a tiny grey bird dip into the pool, as though it was a giant bird bath. I paused, smiling to myself, and then suddenly the bird came back and did it again. And then another bird arrived, and another, and another, until suddenly there were over ten birds diving in and out of the pool, splashing around their perfect communal bird bath just before dawn. My boyfriend arrived with my two friends, and since we had a leftover roach with us, we sparked up and all just stood there, absolutely mesmerized by the little performance that was taking place. Surrounded by these little beings, the overgrown trees and a skyline beginning to burst with light, this was undoubtedly one of my favorite memories blazing al fresco.

All interveiws have been edited for length and clarity.

@naturehit
18-Years-Old
Photo taken in Abelboden, Switzerland in February, 2016

@WhereYouSmoke: Where was this photo taken?
@naturehit: This photo was taken in Adelboden, Switzerland while we were snowboarding. I think it’s great to snowboard while being high. You can totally go with the flow, especially when smoking indica. I just enjoy it a bit more when I’m high.

Do you prefer smoking with others when you blaze in nature, or do you enjoy alone-time with your spliffs?
I prefer smoking with my friends, but I also like smoking alone to fully enjoy the outdoors. I just like nature in general, so when I’m alone I can just focus on my thoughts and the wilderness around me.

Do you ever see other people smoking at these beautiful Swiss outdoor spots?
No, hardly ever. I think a lot of people in Switzerland smoke weed, but the spots I choose for smoking are usually totally empty.

What about being in nature makes you enjoy smoking? What about smoking makes you enjoy nature?
The sense of peace you get when you are outdoors smoking and listening to some good music. I listen to music all the time no matter what I’m doing.

@nathan_gram
21-Years-Old
Photo Taken in the Grand Canyon in March 2016

@WhereYouSmoke: Where was this photo taken?
@nathan_gram: This photo was taken in the Grand Canyon. Specifically, we hiked about an hour into the Canyon on the South Kaibab Trail from Yaki Point. There is this amazing plateau, and we were tired, so we stopped and burned down a spliff. It’s everything you want in an outdoor spot — not super accessible but not impossible to get to, and it’s in a unique place with unique views. I’ve smoked at a lot of places, but the Grand Canyon was my favorite because I had never been there before. Even without the J, it would have been an amazing time. It took a lot of planning to get there, and you never know what’s going to happen, but everything came together that day. It was just… peaceful.

4/20 was last week — have you ever spent the high holiday somewhere exotic or foreign?
I was in Spain for 4/20 two years ago. Spain has a lot of weed culture, so we went to the park with a spliff and cafe con leche (the best combo!) and soon learned we weren’t the only ones with that idea. It’s interesting to see people from other countries/cultures smoke weed, especially where it isn’t totally legal. Makes you realize that the fight for legalization isn’t constrained to the States.

You're from Santiago, Chile, but you've spent a good amount of time in Spain and the States. Can you tell us what you've noticed about the weed cultures in these places?
I was born in Santiago and lived there till I was 4, but I can’t speak to the weed culture there. Spain and the USA are in similar situations right now in terms of weed. It’s more widely accepted, and the industry is on the rise, but it’s not totally legal everywhere. Spain is broken up into “Autonomous Communities,” basically states, and they more or less choose what they want to do about bud. For example, Catalonia (where Barcelona is), has clubs, meaning anyone can join and legally purchase weed as long as they have been introduced by a current member. I’m not an expert on the ins and outs of the legality of it, so all I will say is that I was smoking a lot, legally, in Barcelona at a club called Jammin. Also, in Spain they have a unique version of the Bob Marley Game, or “taps,” where you play to decide who gets to hit the J next. The roller asks “Quien Fuma?” (who smokes?) and whoever says “La puma” (the puma) first gets to hit it next. They you play another one to see who gets to kill the roach. Whoever is smoking asks “Quien mata?” (who kills it) and the winner is whoever says “La Rata” (the Rat).

If you could light up with anyone, and anywhere, who and where would it be?
Cliche, I know, but Bob Marley. When I was younger he was just a reggae artist to me, but as I’ve gotten older and learned more about him and his background, I’ve started to learn he really was trying to change the world. His songs weren’t just feel-good music; it was rebel music, as he put it. That, on top of the fact that he was one of the great smokers of all time, would make for one hell of a sesh. I would love to smoke a spliff he rolled and talk to him about the politics of today. I don’t think he would be happy to see how little progress we’ve made since he died.. If we could smoke it anywhere, I’d choose his house on Hope Road in Kingston, just for the full experience.

@brandy_303
24-Years-Old
Photo Taken in Aspen, CO in October 2016

@WhereYouSmoke: Where was this photo taken?
@brandy_303: Aspen, CO. Leaves were starting to change for fall, so it was the perfect place to take a smoke break.

Has the altitude ever been an issue when blazing up there?
For sure, I'm smoked numerous blunts and still cough every time haha.

Were you with homies, or was this a solo sesh? Do you have a preference when smoking in nature, or does it vary?
I was with homies, going on a hike in Aspen with a view of Maroon Bells! I love/prefer smoking in nature as much as I can; it is a good way to clear your head.

This is quite the scenic view… Are there any other spots in Colorado where you enjoy your greens?
Honestly, anywhere and everywhere I can hike in Colorado with a view. So the possibilities are endless.

@mikedombrowski
21-Years-Old
Photo taken at Overlook Mountain in Woodstock, NY in July 2015

@WhereYouSmoke: Where was this photo taken?
@mikedombrowski: This photo was taken on the summit of Overlook Mountain in Woodstock, New York. It was a spectacularly warm and breezy day of hiking up to the top. We got up there just in time to catch a dope sunset, so naturally we had to spark one up.

What's your favorite part of smoking outdoors? Do you enjoy it more than smoking indoors?
I love the fresh air and naturalistic sensation of smoking outdoors. It seems like nature’s always offering something interesting to sit back and look at, whether it’s the wind rustling the leaves on the trees or some birds chirping. I definitely enjoy smoking outdoors more than indoors!

What's the best name you've heard for "weed?"
Love the term “Devil’s Lettuce” or “That Sticky-icky.”

If you like to photograph your outdoor smoking adventures, check out the submission page at www.whereyousmoke.com. And follow @WhereYouSmoke on Instagram.