Disclosure: I received a complimentary deck of This Big Travel Challenge however, all opinions are my own and have not been reviewed by the gifting source. Some posts on this blog may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I may be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.
Living in a digital world, reconnecting with nature is essential to me. It keeps me grounded and resets my soul and spirit. Before you read on, know that this isn’t a post about using AI or digital tools to travel — it’s about how a simple deck of travel challenge cards gave me a deeper perspective on an already meaningful experience.
Saying Yes to a Travel Challenge
I recently joined Friends of Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve (slough is pronounced “sloo”) for an incredible wet walk in Fort Myers. August in Southwest Florida is hot, but this two-and-a-half walk through the preserve felt refreshingly cool. Tall trees provided shade, and stomach-deep water kept the heat at bay.
Before the adventure, I selected a card from the This Big Travel Challenge deck. Created by This Big World, each deck includes 50 challenges across six categories: food, discovery, playful, photo, connection, and mini courage. My card was titled Soundtrack This Spot.
You don’t know the challenge until you scratch off the silver area with the provided pick (think guitar pick). For an extra twist, you can add the Spice It Up bonus. And yes, you can share your challenge on social media and tag @thisbigworld.
The rule is simple: do the task. Travel is about stretching your comfort zone, and these cards nudge you toward growth. Especially if you’re a solo traveler, like me.
My challenge: create a playlist that captures how my experience feels. The Spice It Up bonus: dance to it in public (a hard pass from me — I’m fun, but not that fun).
What a Wet Walk Really Feels Like
A wet walk is exactly what it sounds like — walking through water. Southwest Florida’s rainy season (mid-May to mid-October) fills sloughs, which are seasonal wetlands with wide, slow-moving, shallow water. Exploring one is an incredible way to understand the Sunshine State’s ecosystems.
Navigating the Slough
Walking through water takes coordination. You’re navigating uneven land and submerged obstacles like cypress knees, roots, branches, and whatever else nature hides beneath the surface. Walking sticks are provided for walk participants — mine saved me from falling at least once.
Stepping into the water felt like entering another world. Although the water reached almost chest-high on me (I’m 5’4″), most of it disappears during the dry season. In some areas, the water is clear to the bottom, still enough to reflect the trees, sky, and even me.
The Cathedral and the Grandfather Tree
I gasp when our guide led us into an area called the Cathedral. Tall cypress trees surround an open space that feels spiritual and peaceful. Whispering seemed too loud here.
Another awe-inspiring area is the Grandfather Tree, believed to be Lee County’s largest standing tree. It survived 2004’s Hurricane Charley and still stands strong. Being near it felt like standing in the presence of wisdom. If only trees could talk — or if only we could understand what they’re saying.
The Monday Group: Stewards of Six Mile Cypress Slough
Volunteers with Friends of Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve guided the walk and shared information about the ecosystems and history. Thanks to The Monday Group — local high school students from the late 1960s and mid-1970s inspired by environmental educators Bill Hammond and Rick Tully — these 3,500-plus acres are preserved today.
Their activism convinced voters to protect the area from development and logging. Their legacy is the reason we can experience this incredible wetland today.
Creating My Wet Walk Soundtrack
During my hour-long drive home, I thought about the perfect soundtrack for the experience. I kept returning to the Pure Moods Vol. 1 CD from the 1990s (initially released in 1994) — quintessential Gen X. My generation.
My Wet Walk Playlist
- “Sadness” – Enigma For the sacred stillness of the Cathedral.
- “Return to Innocence” – Enigma Because the experience felt pure and genuine.
- “Orinoco Flow” – Enya For the dreamy sensation of moving through water.
- “Man in the Mirror” – Michael Jackson For the moments when the water was perfectly still and reflective, especially around the Grandfather Tree.
- “One Man’s Dream” – Yanni For Bill Hammond’s and Rick Tully’s vision to inspire future generations to protect the slough.
How Travel Challenge Cards Deepen the Experience
In my work life, I rely on digital prompts when communicating with AI. The clearer and more specific I am, the better the outcome. When I scratched the travel challenge card, I realized I was stepping into a different kind of prompting.
These cards aren’t digital instructions — they’re invitations. Invitations to experience and immerse in something. While AI prompts help me navigate a digital world, these cards helped me navigate a tangible world.
This challenge guided me toward mindfulness, emotion, and connection. On days when I’m glued to my computer or phone, it’s refreshing to find authentic moments.
I’ve only scratched one card (and the surface!), but with that one card, I’ve learned This Big Travel Challenge cards don’t necessarily inspire you to go somewhere — they inspire you to experience and embrace it. The challenge added depth, meaning, and reflection I might have missed otherwise.
I’m excited to see what future cards challenge me to do.
Are You Up for a Challenge
Whether you’re exploring a slough, a city, or your own backyard, adding a prompt can transform your experience. Sometimes all you need is a nudge — or a scratch?off card — to see the world differently.
Wet Walks with Friends of Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve
If you’re interested in joining Friends of Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve on a wet walk, don’t dilly dally! The wet season and wet walks end the end of October. Visit their website for the schedule and booking information.
