Downtown

If you live in Minnesota you may be aware of the spectacle the locals refer to as the 8th floor of Dayton's.

It is a life sized animated walk-through display of a fairy tale that is held on the eight floor of a department store that hasn't been named Dayton's for years.

This year they put on the Nutcracker Fantasy. My lovely wife strapped on a backpack and guided Mathias through the entire affair.... It was quite intriguing.

At the end of the story there is also the opportunity to meet and greet St. Nicholas himself [after all, Dayton's is in the retail - not theater - business].

Somewhat to our surprise, M quickly warmed up him. I'd envision a big bearded guy in unusual clothing being somewhat scary when you're no more than two... There is no word on whether a request was put in for a Red Ryder.



But neither the Nutcracker Fantasy nor St. Nicholas was nearly as riveting as riding the escalator down 8 floors!

It is almost like a slow motion roller coaster - without those pesky height restrictions.