Debbie Croft: Blooms, bees, birds and trees – hooray, it’s spring

Please do not disturb until springtime is over.

I’m tempted to hang a sign on my door, my phones, my email inbox and around my neck, letting everyone know that this time of year I want to spend every possible moment outside in the garden, among new grass and reborn trees, surrounded by hummingbirds and worker bees and playful calves, enjoying the great outdoors.

It’s only in springtime when I envy David the Psalmist and John Muir, keeping sheep among mountain crags. The time of year when I sympathize with Maria the wayward nun, ditching an occasional prayer service to answer the call of the Alpine meadows she grew up exploring.

As soon as winter was over my mom would shoo my brother and me out of the house. Seven years of our childhood were spent roaming the German countryside. We hiked trails through pine forests, followed railroad tracks to the next village, and climbed castle ruins and wood rungs of lookout towers to see the world from a higher vantage point. Clouds dappled the landscape with sunshine and shadows, and dandelion stains discolored my hands. At the end of the day we came home tired, thirsty and hungry, but happy.

In today’s column, I interrupt my series of fascinating individuals and running lists of festivals and events to invite you to the mountains. Come experience a restful world, and let nature permeate your senses with its beauty and wonder.

I’m only tempted to break the law in spring. When the hills are alive – with “No Trespassing” signs! How I hate those endless lengths of barbed wire, keeping me on the boring side of the landscape.

On days like this, if I have office work and writing, cleaning and piles of papers to attack, I intentionally remain indoors, knowing if I step outside, I’ll stay there until dark. And nothing inside will get done. (I think I need a clone.)

Last month frogs in the creek behind our house announced, “Spring is coming!” This month their song has crescendoed, “It’s here! Springtime! Come and see!”

Tiny green leaves burst from oak branches and blossoms on fruit trees have already made their debut. A few weeks ago the ground beneath Valley orchards was carpeted with a filmy pinkish-white veil.

Maybe kids would have an easier time believing in a Creator if they spent more time immersed in the hands-on discovery of creation – tromping through pastures, digging in the dirt, sleeping under stars, observing wildlife and bathing in a cool rushing stream.

At the edge of the Ansel Adams Wilderness sits Mono Hot Springs. Bring a tent and cook your meals over an open fire, or rent a cabin and let someone else do the cooking and cleanup. Either way, this family- and pet-friendly resort provides modern amenities and high country adventure far away from city noise and smog.

With natural hot springs, a general store, fly fishing, horseback riding, and crystal clear lakes for diving in from granite cliffs, Mono Hot Springs is one of the most remote and scenic resorts in the state. Call (559) 325-1710 or visit www.monohotsprings.com for more information.

The Pinecrest Campground in Tuolumne County is open this year earlier than usual. More than 100 campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis until May 8, when reservations will begin.

Water, sinks and restrooms are accessible at all the campground loops, and each campsite is equipped with a picnic table and fire pit. For details visit www.dodgeridge.com/mountain-info/campgrounds or call (209) 965-3116 or (209) 965-3474.

Picnic tables, campsites, hiking trails and public restrooms are available at Briceburg near the Merced River, 15 miles north of Mariposa. Similar recreation areas are maintained by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management.

And FYI: California’s river fishing season starts April 25.

For the record: California’s cows might be the happiest – even that is debatable – but German cows smell sweeter. Just thought I’d throw that in.

And unlike people, cows do find greener grass on the other side of the fence.

It really is springtime up here, but it won’t last for long. Come and see!

This story was originally published March 27, 2015 at 10:00 AM with the headline "Debbie Croft: Blooms, bees, birds and trees – hooray, it’s spring."