5 Spring Things You Can Still Do In Howard County

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Did you forget about spring in Howard County? One would be forgiven for the oversight, considering the cold snaps and snowfall in the Northeast and Midwest. Also, the fact that everybody’s calendar might as well just replace the dates with “Coronavirus: TBD” has made spring an afterthought.

The official start of spring fell on March 19, which doesn’t feel right, but it is.

As befuddling as the concept of linear time might seem after weeks of quarantine, the tilt of the Earth on its rotation around the sun means the changing of seasons remains, literally, an unstoppable force of nature. In defiance of the pandemic, spring has sprung, and it’s worth remembering that you can — and should! — do things about that in Howard County. Just keep your social distance and be safe.

Here are some things:

1. Pack a picnic: Ideally, springtime should accompany the simple pleasures of preparing a basket of food, picking a grassy patch of park and unfurling a blanket under the sun. But even during a quarantine, you can do all three, and remain socially distant! Check with your local parks department; they’ll likely have advice on the least-crowded areas and guidance on staying healthy while you nosh on sandwiches. Or take the picnic basket to your backyard or balcony instead. Sip wine and eat cheese on your fire escape, call it a “rustic wine jaunt” or “stationary hiking.” It still counts. A spring picnic by any other name tastes just as sweet.
   
2. Get cultured: They may be closed to their normal crush of spring visitors, but your favorite museums and zoos are still the treasures. While you’ve been binge-watching Netflix, they’ve been building virtual institutions and features, like this incredible 360-degree virtual tour from New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art or the numerous live cam options offered by the San Diego Zoo. Take an afternoon to digitally replicate a stroll through your favorite art gallery or check in on your favorite penguin, who probably misses you and wonders if you’re doing okay.
   
3. Donate Blood: The United States is facing a serious blood shortage, and the FDA is calling the need for blood and plasma "urgent.” The good news is you can help save people’s lives for the low-low-low price of your very own blood. Think of it as a spring cleaning for your circulatory system, and hey, you’ll probably get a cookie and juice out of it. The Red Cross website will get you set up an appointment.
   
   
4. Take a hike, literally: The trails are still open at Howard County parks. Anyone taking a pooch for a walk must remember to keep canine companions on leashes and properly dispose of their waste. Don't forget to stay off of playground equipment and all courts, as they are closed due to the coronavirus. While at the park, try your hand at fishing or simply sit and breathe in the fresh air.
   
5. Nature safari: Did you know the free iNaturalist app lets you identify plants and animals in your neighborhood or backyard? Staff at the Robinson Nature Center created a quick video showing how to use the app, which is perfect for outdoor, social distancing-friendly fun during the coronavirus closures. To download the iNaturalist app, search for it in your smart phone’s app store.

So, there you have it. Despite everything, it is spring, and we might as well enjoy it. According to official but as-yet unverified reports, summer begins June 20.