Wisconsin Friends Explore Challenge - April Update

 

 

April Update of the Wisconsin Friends Explore Challenge!

Like my 21 in 21 Challenge, I'll try to update this monthly with a current status.

1. Hiking
1. Hike 50 miles total on WSPS properties
1. 3.1 miles at Aztalan State Park on 4/11/21 (3.1 total) 
2. Hike every trail on one WSPS property
1. Hiked all trails in Aztalan State Park on 4/11/21 
2. Camping 
1. Camp six nights total in the WSPS
2. Camp overnight while backpacking at least once
3. Water Activities 
1. Fish at three different WSPS properties
2. Paddle five different bodies of water on WSPS properties
3. Visit and photograph 5 different waterfalls on WSPS properties
4. Build and photograph sand sculptures on 5 different WSPS beaches
4. Biking 
1. Bike 50 miles on state trails or WSPS properties
5. Photography 
1. Take a selfie from 10 scenic overlooks   
2. Take 10 photos of historic buildings, which includes lighthouses, located on WSPS properties
3. Photograph examples of Indigenous Cultures on 10 WSPS properties
6. Visiting 
1. Visit a WSPS property in each of the six districts
1. Northwest District
2. Northeast District
3. West Central District
4. East Central District
5. Southwest District
6. Southeast District 
2. Visit the same WSPS property once a month, March through September 
1. Can't accomplish this one, since I missed visiting a park between March 20 and April 1. 
7. Flora & Fauna 
1. Identify and list 25 plants seen on WSPS properties-take photos of at least three 
2. Identify and list 25 different birds seen on WSPS properties-take photos of at least three
1. Identified Robin in Aztalan State Park on 4/11/21
2. Identified Downy Woodpecker in Aztalan State Park on 4/11/21
3. Identified Red Winged Blackbird in Aztalan State Park on 4/11/21 
3. Identify and list 25 insects seen on WSPS properties-take photos of at least three
8. Geocaching 
1. Find 15 geocaches on WSPS properties
9. Service Projects 
1. Join a Friend's group
1. I joined Friends of Lapham Peak with a lifetime membership on April 5, 2021
2. Clean up litter for 2-3 hours total at two or more WSPS properties
3. Pick garlic mustard for 2-3 hours at a WSPS property
10. Winter Activities 
1. Cross-country ski 50 miles at a minimum of 2 properties

Review: Enola Holmes and the Black Barouche

Enola Holmes and the Black Barouche by Nancy Springer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4 out of 5 stars - If you ask me, I'll tell you to read it (but read the others in the series first!)

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press - Wednesday Books for this advanced reader's copy.

I was extremely excited that the popularity of the Enola Holmes movie on Netflix had apparently caused a desire to restart the Enola Holmes series of books!

I really enjoyed this re-start, which allowed Enola to work together with Sherlock on a new case, rather than working in the shadows.

Enola and Sherlock are hired to find the location of Felicity, wife of Earl of Dunhench. They're hired by Felicity's twin sister Leticia, who says she was informed of her sister's death by the Earl and she didn't believe it. After a lot of interesting twists and turns, the case is solved..... but not necessarily in the way that they all agreed upon.

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Review: The Road Trip

The Road Trip by Beth O'Leary
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4 out of 5 stars - If you ask me, I'll tell you to read it.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a great "light" read after a very long and historical book. 

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for this Advanced Reader's Copy.

Addie and Deb are on a road trip to a friend's wedding when they're in an accident with Dylan (Addie's ex) and Marcus (his friend) who are also on their way to the wedding. Joining Addie and Deb is Rodney, an odd duck who just wanted a ride to the wedding. Addie and Dylan didn't end well, but Addie and Deb offer to let Dylan and Marcus join them in their tiny Mini for the remainder of the journey as Marcus's car is repaired. As the story moves forward, chapters are interspersed with present day and the past giving us a chance to learn more about how we got to this point. There were some twists along the way, but I'm a sucker for a happy ending!

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Review: We Are Water Protectors

We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

5 out of 5 stars - I will tell you to read it, even if you don't ask.

Winner of the 2021 Caldecott Medal

I really enjoyed this short, sweet book about how it's everyone's responsibility to protect the earth and the water covering it. A great way to start a little Water Protector of your own at a young age.

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Review: Starfish

Starfish by Lisa Fipps
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

5 out of 5 stars - I will tell you to read it, even if you don't ask.

This should be mandatory reading for all kids as well as all parents.

I really enjoyed this quick read. I finished it in a single evening. Written as novel-in-verse (poetry style), which usually isn't my thing, it made you stop and think a little about each "chapter".

Ellie has been trying to disappear both at home and at school for years. Known as the "fat kid", she's bullied at school by other kids and at home by her mother (more of a fat shaming) and siblings. I totally cried at the end, but I loved seeing her new neighbor and her family completely accept Ellie and make her realize that there's no shame in her size. I also loved the therapist her dad got her to agree to see and how the therapist made her realize she could stand up for herself at home.

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21 in 21 - March Update

 

I said I would update the blog once a month with an update on my 21 in 21 project.  Here's the March update!  It's been a rough one....

1. Donate 1 item per day
1. January - I'm 25 items behind
2. February - On Schedule
3. March - I'm 31 items behind
   
2. Bike 52 hours
1. January - I have completed 0.5 hours so far
2. February - I am 1% complete
3. March - I am 1% complete
   
3. Run 52 hours
1. January - I have completed 1.98 hours so far
2. February - I am 6% complete
3. March - I am 6% complete
   
4. Hike the complete Ice Age Trail in Dane County
1. January - I have completed 0 of 61.6 total miles
2. February - I have completed 0 of 61.6 total miles 
3. March -  I have completed 0 of 61.6 total miles
   
5. Hike the complete Ice Age Trail in Fond du Lac & Sheboygan Counties
1. January - I have completed 0 of 39.6 total miles
2. February - I have completed 0 of 39.6 total miles 
3. March -  I have completed 0 of 39.6 total miles
   
6. Hike the complete Ice Age Trail in Green County
1. January - I have completed 0 of 22.7 total miles
2. February - I have completed 0 of 22.7 total miles
3. March -  I have completed 0 of 22.7 total miles
   
7. Hike the complete Ice Age Trail in Rock County
1. January - I have completed 0 of 63.9 total miles
2. February - I have completed 6.07 of 63.9 total miles
3. March - I have completed 6.07 of 63.9 total miles
8. Hike the complete Ice Age Trail in Walworth & Jefferson Counties
1. January - I have completed 0 of 25.2 total miles
2. February - I have completed 0 of 25.2 total miles 
3. March -  I have completed 0 of 25.2 total miles
   
9. Hike the complete Ice Age Trail in Washington County
1. January - I have completed 9.7 of 45 total miles
2. February - I have completed 13.67 of 45 total miles
3. March - I have completed 20.11 of 45 total miles
   
10. Mail 1 "just because" postcard each day
1. January -  I'm 14 behind, but working through them!
2. February - I'm 42 behind... This is way harder than I thought it would be!
3. March - I am 58 behind... Trying to catch up!!
   
11. Mail 1 "just because" gift each month
1. January - I mailed a scarf to my friend Hallie
2. February -  I mailed a baby gift to my friend Kathy
3. March -  I mailed a few small gifts to my friend Brenda
   
12. Get a massage once a month
1. January - I had a massage on January 4
   
2. February - I had a massage on February 26
3. March - I had a massage on March 14
   
13. Complete the 2021 PopSugar Reading Challenge
1. January - I have completed 4 of 50 reading challenge prompts
2. February - I have completed 7 of 50 reading challenge prompts
3. March - I have completed 11 of 50 reading challenge prompts
   
14. Maintain a feedback ratio of 80% in NetGalley
1. January - I am currently at 36% and I have 46 out of 72 books left to read/review
2. February - I am currently at 37% and I have 48 out of 76 books left to read/review
3. March - I am currently at 38% and I have 47 out of 78 books left to read/review
   
15. Sort through 1 box/tub/crate/drawer per week
1. January -  I'm 2 behind
2. February - I am on schedule
3. March - I am 4 behind schedule
   
16. Watch 1 TED Talk per day
1. January - I am on schedule
2. February - I am 8 behind
3. March - I am 11 behind
   
17. Complete GEP 3 for DAR
1. January - I have not yet registered
2. February - I have not yet registered
3. March - I have not yet registered
   
18. Update Blog monthly with 21 in 21 status
1. January - Updated on January 26
2. February - Updated on February 28
3. March - Updated on April 1
   
19. (Re)Learn to Cross Country Ski
1. January - Contacted a local instructor about scheduling a private lesson
2. February - No update
3. March - No update
   
20. Watch one "new to me" movie each month
1. January - I watched Girl on the Train on January 30
   
2. February - I watched Judy on February 28
3. March - I watched Coming 2 America on March 5
   
21. Get a facial once a month
1. January - I had a facial on January 3
   
2. February -  I had a facial on February 6
3. March - I had a facial on March 6