A couple of years ago, Brandon told about this “sensory deprivation chamber” that he wanted to try out east somewhere. It never came to pass, but it piqued my interest and having been to Floatopia for the salt cave, I knew just where to go to get my senses deprived. This time we went as a family. Four people – four float pods. When I’d gone to the salt cave the lovely owner James gave me the promo code MYFIRSTFLOAT to float for half price. So this Sunday we found ourselves all home at the same time and embarked on our family float.
The place is really well appointed, clean and pretty. We were given the instructions – first take a shower to remove body oils and hair product, put earplugs in, open the full size glass door and gently lower yourself into the “pod” of water being super careful not to slip on the really slippery tile as you step into really slippery salted water. Each pod contains 1200 pounds of epsom salt, creating an amazingly buoyant, soft, slippery water. Like you can’t sink if you try.
Once comfortable, you had the choice to leave the light on (any color of your choosing) or their recommendation – go full on darkness. The water is heated to 93.5 degrees – typical skin temperature, so once you settle in and let yourself trust the water, you feel nothing. Nothing. You no longer feel the water, you no longer feel your body. It’s like being suspended in mid-air. I actually likened it to being a piece of fruit cocktail in Jello.
I kept the light out initially, then played with the colors and ultimately decided to welcome darkness, my old friend. I had a hard time relaxing at first, but in time gave myself into the weightlessness and eventually fell asleep for a brief time. At the end of the 90 minute session, music indicates it’s time to gather your reality and the lights come up and it’s time to exit.
After the float we met up in the lounge area for a cup of tea and to compare notes. June LOVED it and can’t wait to go back. Craig, like me, had a hard time relaxing initially and was able to talk himself through what could have become a panic attack, ultimately enjoying the experience. Brandon saw lights, silhouettes and a moving vortex in the darkness and I’m considering getting him psychiatric help.
Recommended by Brandon Boiarsky
Completed 7/22/18
We started with “simple” movements. Now these moves are slow. I mean really slow. And not quite so simple. On their own I suppose each move was easy, but once he started stringing them together it was like a well choreographed ballet that I was ill-equipped to perform. As the weeks went by I expected I’d reach a certain level of mastery. I saw myself practicing tai chi on the beach, at a beautifully landscaped park, in a magical old-growth forest. As it turned out, I never saw that instructor or that class again. Our friends ditched after week one too. So now I visit beaches and parks with no interest in performing slow motion martial arts. I’m not sure if I’d be compelled to practice tai chi in a magical old-growth forest. If I find one, I’ll let you know how that works out.
On my latest trip to Texas to see friends in Fort Worth, I had the opportunity to go to a shooting range and knock another ridiculous experience off my ever-growing list. They had skeet, rifle and pistol ranges and after waiting 45 minutes on line, the four of us chose one .22 caliber handgun and bullets that we would share. It was very strange. We were clearly out of our element, surrounded by men, women and kids and the gun culture that Texas embraces. We were outfitted with a couple targets, protective glasses and ear protection and given more than a little attitude from the girl at the counter when she learned we were New Yorkers. They still seem a tad bitter about us Yankees.
Park goers stopped in their tracks as people started filtering into the fray, creating a large…well…mob of dancers. The couple stood there watching and smiling and when he was brought into the dance toward the end, her surprise was palpable. At the end of the song, he approached her, got down on one knee and presented the ring. They hugged, they kissed and thankfully she said YES! 
While in town, June, Linda and myself decided to spend an hour one morning at The Escape Game in the Berry Hill section of Nashville. We chose the first one of the day at 10am but apparently we were the only ones interested in doing an escape room as soon as they opened. I was hoping for a few more people to join us to multiply the brain power, but no luck. We had to depend on just our three – which combined is at best only about 2 ½ brains.