The wildflower names alone are enough to make me swoon, and if you’re also a word-lover, the same thing may happen to you. There’s Owl’s Clover, Woodland Stars, Blue Fiesta, and Tidy Tips, Sticky Monkey Flower — yes, it’s actually sticky — Cream Cups, Woodland Stars, and Popcorn Flower. When you attach their names to their startling selves, it’s like falling in love. And why not? I’m a glutton for beauty, particularly the natural kind. After all the rain we’ve had, spring is putting on quite the show — the hills are verdant and the wildflowers are abundant.

Dorothy Denning told me the time was now, that we couldn’t wait long to take a walk because the wildflowers weren’t waiting. Never one to pass up such an invitation, I slipped on my walking shoes and met Dorothy at the Jerry Smith Access Corridor on Inter-Garrison Road, just east of Schoonover, in Marina.

Denning is the author of two books about Fort Ord. Her first was “Fort Ord, a Love Story” in which she takes the reader on a journey of the land, showing us what makes it so special. Her new book is “Fort Ord in Twelve Months.” Both books are lush with photographs. Denning begins by writing, “I love Fort Ord in January,” but then, she also loves it in every other month of the year. This isn’t an abstract love, but one founded in time and experience. In her preface to the book, she says, “I do not include a photo for every species of flower I saw each month. In most months, there were just too many…” Now I know what she means.

For a map of the area visit https://www.google.com/maps/place/Inter-Garrison+Rd+%26+Jerry+Smith+Access+Corridor,+California+93933/@36.6554897,-121.7578571,880m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x808dfb84f30d03c7:0x58203366d3d5069b!8m2!3d36.6554897!4d-121.7578571!16s%2Fg%2F11hb5d3m1m!5m1!1e1?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDQyMS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

During wildflower season — March through June — she typically sees “over 250 distinct flowers.” On our slow, less than 2-mile walk, we saw at least 30. I wrote down their names as fast as I could but that wasn’t always fast enough to catch them all because on just a square foot of land there were so many flowers turning their faces to the sun.

Before her retirement, Denning was a professor of Defense Analysis at the Naval Postgraduate School. In the field of cybersecurity, she is a legend, and has received many awards for her pioneering work, including the National Computer Systems Security Award. For her work as a security innovator she was featured in Time magazine and she has testified before Congress on encryption policy and cyber terrorism. When I asked if she missed working, with a little chuckle, she replied, “No. I loved it when I was working but I love my life now, just as it is,” and that means most days Denning can be found out walking the Fort Ord land.

The physical distance between where I usually enter Fort Ord to take a walk — at Giggling and Eighth — and the Jerry Smith Access Corridor is a mere 2 miles. But the difference in wildflowers is worlds apart. No wonder Denning refers to her wildflower walking place as a “field of dreams.” I appeal to your wisest self, the part of you that is also a beauty glutton, to not wait another moment before lacing up your shoes.

Upon arrival, don’t be fooled by the land’s nondescript — in terms of wildflowers — entrance. Just put your feet on the trail that runs parallel to Inter-Garrison on the right (southern) side of the parking area, and begin walking in a westerly direction. At the first chance you get, veer to the left on the small trail, though you won’t have to wait even that long to begin seeing close-to-the-ground colors.

Shortly after I get in step behind her, “Wait till you see the meadow!” Dorothy says, and when I do, spring’s essence is revealed. The meadow is adorned in flowers. Look at how the yellow and the purple sidle up to each other, complementing each other.

It’s not only actual flowers that bloom but grasses do too, and they’re considered flowers also. And not only grasses but some trees too like the one I would most certainly have missed, the Italian Stone Pine, that Denning calls my attention to: “Look at this!” If you want to see the wide and tall pine, walk past the meadow, following the narrow trail that brings you back closer to the road.

This is tick season, and some of the trails are quite narrow, the grasses broaching the trails, so, being a bit tick phobic, I suggest you wear long pants, pulling your socks up over them. Denning isn’t bothered. When I mention these insects, she sloughs it off, saying, “Oh, yes, after my hike the other day, a couple of ticks were on me.” Oh, to have that attitude. Alas, it’s not mine. But don’t let the ticks — or anything else — stop you, just get yourself to the field of dreams before spring gives herself over to summer.