Henry's Super Cape

This weekend we went to Oklahoma to spend some time with Great-grandma Gloria and Grandpa Overlease. Robbie took us down Highway 71, then we drove 540 and 112 through the mountains in Arkansas. The scenery was spectacular. The leaves on the trees were still green, so the view often looked like bunches of broccoli. It was very pretty. The bridges were terrifyingly high. No joke. I felt like I was on an outdoors amusement park ride. I was pretty scared. I can also attest to the fact that I can't recall a location where we were surrounded by more fast and crazy drivers than on that stretch of road. My friend from Arkansas said they were U of A college kids.

We went hiking at Robber's Cave State Park. This was Henry's first trip to the caves, and he loved it. He tried hard to climb the rocks as well as his sisters, and he gave it his best effort. The girls really, really enjoy their trips to Robber's Cave. They used to insist it was called Robert's Cave. Some of the climbing was quite dangerous, and we really had to hold onto our kids. At one point we all sat down together with our legs hanging over the side of a cliff. The rocks, cliffs, and an expanse of trees on various elevations spread around us. The sky was a brilliant shade of blue, and gorgeous clouds hung in the sky. We had a memorable family moment. Robbie and I looked at each other and commented on the blessing of our little children. Grandpa Overlease was atop another ledge higher than us not too far away, and I prayed he wouldn't fall.

My little Henry was tucked under my arm, and he uttered some words that will surely go down in the Overlease book of history. I think he said something which when we look back on it years from now, may summarize this little guy's childhood. All of the sudden, it was as though a light bulb went off inside Henry's head. His little voice registered what I can best describe as an, "Oh, Man!! Why didn't I think of that?" tone. He said, "Ohhh! I should have brought my super cape." I burst out laughing, hugged him, then said, "Henry, look at my face. You can't really fly with your super cape on, Buddy. It is just pretend, so don't jump off of anything high, okay?" I held his hand extra tight after that.

Again, I will note that I feel lucky my children have two parents. Kids need balance. I am the cautious one, and Robbie is the one who took the girls to the top of a cliff and tried to help them climb down what is called Devil's Slide. A light layer of sand made the steep sheet of rock incredibly slick, and they did not have good footing. "Crab walk! Crab walk!!" I yelled from way down below. Robbie almost always crosses the line between exciting and unsafe, but the girls survived. I kept Henry with me for that one.

We had a nice visit in Wilburton, and the grandparents seemed to really enjoy the children. It was a good weekend.