.

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