On March 6, 2003, the Williamson family graciously played host to us at their working ranch. We met at Jack Williamson's house in the morning and caravaned to the ranch 30 miles or so outside of Portales, dodging the tumbling tumbleweeds as we drove. (Click on any image on this page to view an enlargement.)
The front gate of theWilliamson Cattle Company |
Jack Williamson and familymoved to the original homestead via covered wagon. This 10" x 12" shack of raw pine was first occupied in 1915. |
The view from within
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Scott Edelman standsin front of the homestead, listening carefully for the sound of rattlesnakes |
Eleanor Wood chatswith Jack Williamson about his next novel |
Jack Williamson wrotemany of his early stories inside this shack built with his own hands |
The original writing shackconsisted only of the right portion with the peaked roof— the left section was added later |
Jack Williamson andBrian A. Hopkins trade writing tips |
Connie Willis cut up paper dolls with Katie Bickley |
For some unknown reason, Charles Brown passed on using this image as the next cover of Locus |
After the exhausting day at the ranch,Rusty Hevelin also needed a nap |
Milz Bickley leads us on a tourof the Williamson acreage— and without him as guide, we'd likely be there still |
Scott Edelman uses his walking stickto ape sword-and-sorcery book covers (and to show that, given the chance, he will always be willing to make a fool of himself) |
Stephen Haffner losesa duel in the dunes |
Scott Edelman proudly displays his copy of the December 1928 Amazing Stories containing Jack Williamson's first story signed by Jack 75 years after its original publication |
Jack Williamson will turn 95 on April 29, 2003.