Stanley Harlan

My Mom and Dad on the Coast South of Big Sur Stanley Harlan

Take a look back in time at Big Sur and the surrounding areas through the eyes of one family. A journey as told by Stan Harlan of his mom and dad, and enjoyed by all as a timeless tale filled with adventure of those who settled in the expanses of the most beautiful coastline in America. Stan Harlan, the youngest of 3 brothers of George and Esther Harlan, was born in San Jose California on November 11, 1927. As with his two older brothers, their mother, Esther, left the coastal family ranch near Lucia on the Big Sur coast, when she was within a week of giving birth, to be with her mother, and the family doctor in Campbell, California. The return trip to the coastal ranch came a week after Stan's birth. On the final leg of the trip, over the narrow mountain trails, he was placed in a five-gallon kerosene can, which had one side cut out and lined with blankets, then placed and tied on the pack saddle of George's favorite mule, Big Jack. This is how Stan arrived at the family ranch at Lopez Point, as did his brothers before him. The Big Sur area has been his home for all those years and he enjoys sharing his stories, which happens to offer unique historical insight to the areas last 100 years.