Meadow: Downstream - why didn't this expansion work for me (but my wife loved it)?

About Meadow: Downstream, from BoardGameGeek:

Meadow: Downstream is an expansion for Meadow inspired by the fascinating nature of aquatic environments. Start a new journey to observe flora, fauna and landscapes connected with rivers, streams and lakes. Go kayaking down the river and compete with others on the new fields of exploration. Meadow: Downstream includes over 80 new cards depicting wildlife living in an aquatic environment and a new thematic envelope to discover. Kayaking mechanism allows players to score extra points for progressing down the river. Adjust the level of competition with two-sided river board. Choose between a fast stream and calm river to explore two faces of nature. -description from the publisher