January 22, 2001 - Monday
This morning, during our hour between dropping his mother off at work and going to daycare, Harry and I rode the escalators. Harry's been on an escalator a couple times before and seemed fascinated, and that's enough for a fun outing.

We actually started in a local CVS store where Harry's been before. They always have stuffed animals and other things for a little boy. Of course, I realize the tenuous nature of bringing a toddler into a place where temptation is all around, but Harry surprised even me, grabbing only a few items as he walked around exploring. With no distractions of my own other than watching him, I felt able to handle potential troubles. However, when he found the aisle with the bottles of toxic solutions, then the aisle of random feminine products, I figured this was not the place to create habits and set out for another distraction.

Just next door to this CVS is a two story mini-mall with a single escalator going from the first to the second floor. It's a great place for Harry because none of the stores are open at that time for the morning, just the drop box of the Blockbuster video rental, so Harry and I could ride on the escalator without blocking anyone. Better still, the escalator is in the middle of a partially glass atrium offering a clear view of the surrounding as we rode.

The downside of this particular ride is that it was one way. Harry didn't seem to understand that and, without a down escalator for a quick distraction, Harry seemed intent on getting back on again. Daddy had to carry Harry down the staircase to the bottom and did so several times, though we did ride the elevator once. Still, after a while I couldn't resist letting Harry get a little closer to the top of the escalator. So, holding both of his hands I let him walk out onto the level steps at the top of the ride and there, for several seconds, held Harry as he coolly, calmly walked in place as on a treadmill.

Before driving off to daycare, there was one more escalator to try. The local subway station has a much longer escalator, this one busy with commuters on their way all about the city and much more enclosed. Harry just stood there and took in the whole aura of the hustle and bustle of rush hour with just a mild hint of that, well, childhood wonder. He never gave any indication of which escalator he liked better, but for daddy, this one at least had both down and up.


Comments, opinions?