.

Here, gathered in our beloved South Dakota, are a few members of our Williamson / Mattson Clan. Charles and Luella are to be blamed (be kind, they didn't know what they were doing). We're generally a happy bunch and somewhat intelligent (notwithstanding our tenuous grasp on reality). I'm also proud to say that most of us still have our teeth.

Sunday, October 26, 2014

More from Our Lives in Rapid City. The Boys go Out Shooting. 1977(ish)

From the Fortress of Solitude
Pleasant Grove

Hello,
     This week takes us to another photo album and more pictures from the late 1970's taken in and around Rapid City, South Dakota.  The randomness of these historical posts throughout the blog is intentional.  I haven't the time or interest in organizing my hundreds and hundreds of slides and photos in chronological order.  As I stated in this blog's first post, I wouldn't have done this family history blog if I felt I had to.  I'll leave the organizing of this blog to someone else in this family at some future time.  My duty is to get the information out there, get the pictures posted, get the stories told and leave it at that.  So, here's hoping you understand, and here's hoping someone someday will organize it all into a flowing, time driven story of a simple South Dakota family living through interesting times.
   
     The memories of my youth seem to be slipping away with each new wrinkle.  Take the three pictures below.  I think I remember taking them.  I think I remember this outing into the hills to shoot - but can't be sure.  The photographic evidence is here so we did it.  Perhaps Kevin and Jon can provide more information.  



     Charles Williamson (my dad), Emerson Leissman (my dad's step father) Brad Haugen, and Kevin Williamson are pictured above.  Brad is shooting my dad's pistol.  Kevin shoulders Brad's rifle.  He looks a bit uncomfortable holding the rifle.  We were NOT a shooting family by any stretch of the imagination.  Dad kept his pistol on hand for safety reasons only.  I remember Dad liked to shoot, but bullets cost money and shooting took time - both of which we had little of.


Jon Williamson joins us in the photo above holding another of Brad's rifles.  Kevin is looking a bit more relaxed.  Jon's smile is disconcerting.  I wonder what plot was forming in his little head with that rifle at his disposal.


Dad is helping Jon with something while Grandpa Leissman and Brad Haugen shoot.  Brad was a good friend of Kevin's.

Simply,
Victor


Sunday, October 19, 2014

Photos from the 1970's Continue. Growing Up in Rapid City and the Black Hills.

From the Fortress of Solitude
Pleasant Grove

Hello All,
It is another beautiful fall afternoon here at the Fortress. In today's digital family gathering last week's theme continues with more photos of family and friends taken in the mid 1970's in Rapid City, South Dakota and the surrounding Black Hills.

Kevin's Basketball Team, 1972 / 73


 Kevin is on the far left of the front row, number 11.  This looks like the city rec Canyon Lake basketball team.  Kevin can supply the names.

Pictures from our hike to the top of Harney Peak.  1975


I'm already in the fire lookout tower looking down at the family as they arrive.  Charles Williamson leads them onward followed by Jilane, Lisa, Janice, and Luella holding Annette.



Luella, Lisa, Janice, and Jilane at the base of the fire looking tower at the top of Harney Peak.


Cary Gillies will with us that day.  A shot of him at the top of Harney Peak.

Spearfish Park, 1975

This picture of Lisa has been floating around for years.  We're at the Williamson family reunion.  Lisa is either three or four years old and enjoying Spearfish Creek.


A Brothers Day Out.  The Black Hills.  1975

 One day Kevin, Jon, Brad Haugen, and I went on a road trip through the Black Hills.


 We played frisbee.  Kevin's going up for the catch.  Gotta love the 1970's short shorts for guys and white knee socks.


Brad Haugen, Kevin and Jon.

The Gillies Sisters Stop By.  1975



Janice with Allison Gillies in our driveway at 2214 38th Street, Rapid City.  Of course the beat up station wagon is ours.  What did you expect?  I think Janice is showing a bit too much leg for a girl of her age and religious persuasion.  It's trash pickup day.  Our can sits waiting at the curb.


Celeste Gillies and Lisa on the front lawn.  Lisa is on her wheeled inchworm.  Jon and Kevin's 10 speed bikes are in the driveway along with an old school skate board.

 The Mormon Elders 


Our final picture shows Charles Williamson (second in from the left) standing with the other leaders of the Rapid City LDS District.  Dad was in the District / Stake presidency at the time.  

Sunday, October 12, 2014

Daily Life in Rapid City. 1974-1975

From the Fortress of Solitude
Pleasant Grove.


Hello All,
     Today we travel back to 1974 / 75 in our digital reunion and see a few snapshots of our life in the Black Hills of South Dakota.  I'll do my best to remember names, and trust you'll send in the names of those I've forgotten.  My email address is spacecamputah@gmail.com




 This was taken on a late Wednesday afternoon in the late fall of 1974 I believe.  Our Mormon MIA group has crossed the street from the church and walked over to the park at Storybook Island for a game of co-ed football.  Rick Olmstead is on the far left in the hat.  Brad Bishop is in the BYU jersey.  I believe Loren Finn is the blurred figure.  I think that's Bonnie Story in far background.  That's the Sioux San water tower in the background.  


The gang.  From left to right as far as I remember:  Don Policky, ? , ?,  Brad Bishop, his brother Scott is "kissing" someone.  Rick Olmstead, Randy Weeks and the rest.


Our priest quorum on a campout to Pactola Lake 1975.  Rick Olmstead, Brad,  Carey Gilles, and Randy Weeks on a hike above the lake.



The group at the campsite.  I'm in the back with the glasses partially hidden.  Scott is picking on Rick. the boy in the v-neck sweater is a Middleton.  Carey is the one falling forward.  


Bro. Smith is on the far left.  Brad has his back to us.  Carey is on the left with Randy Weeks with the apple.


Unpacking for the campout.  



The girls walking near Sheridan Lake in 1974.  Lisa, Janice, an unknown friend, and Jilane.


Two weather extremes.  I took the picture above in 1974 from the front porch of our home at 2214 39th Street, Rapid City.  I believe it was the first good snow of the winter.  


Summer of 1974.  Gully washer rainfalls always brought a torrent of water down from the red cliffs uphill from our house at 2214 38th Street, Rapid City.  This is looking up Lilac Lane from our front lawn.  Notice the white hail on the lawn.  Our decrepit mailbox is in the steam.



Charles Williamson with Janice Williamson at a Daddy / Daughter Date in the Rapid City LDS cultural hall either in 1974 or 75.


And finally, one of the rare photos of me sitting outside the LDS chapel in Rapid City.  There was a bench by the chapel's double doors.  I took third place in the District public speaking festival.  You've got to love those shirts and ties and what hair :) 

Simply,
Victor