by Eydie Scher
You may have passed them. They're those gorgeous stately homes partially hidden behind locked gates and surrounded by security cameras.
Did you ever wonder what they might look like inside? I did, so I attended the North Lake Tahoe Historical Society Annual Home Tour. The opportunity knocked and off I went, camera and notepaper in hand.
This is one I always pass along the west shore of Lake Tahoe on Route 89. It's a huge complex that is situated right on the lake. Look left and you won't miss it.
Fleur du Lac, the Flower of the Lake, is the name given to the property by Henry J. Kaiser in 1938. It practically screams out Godfather! Many of the stars actually lived on the estate grounds during the filming which was set in the 1930's. The Clubhouse is the only original building on the property. The adjoining boathouse is still in use. There are 22 lavish new or totally remodeled homes on the property today. If you are contemplating living in the neighborhood, be prepared to pay between two and eight million.
The next stop is the Simmonds Home. Built in 1941-1942, it sits by an inlet leading to Lake Tahoe. The front reminds me of an old style ranch house. A large stone porch leads to the entrance. Inside, there is wood paneling and narrow hallways. A private beach beckons to the Lake.
Another beauty, the Mennick Home, was built for entertaining during the Squaw Valley Olympics in 1960. First up is the huge stone courtyard. Wood beam ceilings meander throughout. It feels like you are in a Swiss Village. Of course, there is the view of the Lake.
Further around the Lake is The Shepherd Home. It has two wrap around decks. The master bedroom also has views of the Lake. It's something no one gets tired of seeing. The stairway mural is not to be missed. A favorite is the elk above the fireplace. On one side is the elk's head and on the other is the elk's behind. The contractor of Shepherd House was instrumental in starting the Concours d'Elegance, which is in its 34th year. For the uninitiated, it is the ultimate wooden boat show that takes place every summer.
The next home is the Lonergan Home. It's original name, the Adjidaumo Lodge, comes from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's Song of 
Hiawatha. It was the name of the red squirrel. The Lodge's history dates back to 1899 when the twenty-two year old governor of Nevada, the youngest ever, built his summer estate there to afford him views of his beloved Nevada. It's odd that his estate was in California but he could clearly see Nevada across the Lake.
The first structure we pass is a guesthouse that was a former barn. It is adorable. The main structure is vintage 1926-1930. One side houses the family room and bedrooms. On the other is an enormous modern kitchen. The home is drop dead gorgeous.
This years 36th Annual Home Tour will be held August 6. Ticket sales are limited and you must be a current Museum member. Contact the Gatekeeper's Museum for information, Noon - 4:30 p.m., at (530) 583-1762, or visit http://www.northtahoemuseums. org/
Cabin in the Woods
Actually this mansion is not that far from the cabin and yet it is worlds away. This tour cannot be complete without a description of this family home away from home or as it is called, the cabin in the woods. Huge pine trees, some of which had to be cut back due to the new fire regulations, surround it. During many winters, this family vacation hangout can be obliterated by huge snowstorms. It was purchased by the Scher family in 1987. We moved from New York in 1982 and had never seen so much snow. The family was into skiing. We'd get up at 4 a.m., stack the car, shove in the kids, and drive 4 hours to Northstar or Squaw. At 4 p.m., we would reverse it, and pile back in the car for the journey back to the Bay Area. Traffic would extend those long hours of togetherness. It was no longer fun. We decided it would be easier to have a place up in Tahoe. Have you seen what many small Tahoe cabins look like? They are dark and dirty and inhabited by huge ants and spiders. Mr. Scher vowed to keep looking. The excitement told the story. The right place had been found. It was clean and in a perfect neighborhood, near Chambers Landing and the Homewood Ski Area. One look and I was sold. The $89,000 price included the lot next door. Upstairs is the kitchen and a great room. Large windows illuminate the upstairs and make the house bright. Downstairs are 3 bedrooms and 2 baths. If conditions are right and you are standing on a chair looking out towards the East, you might catch a glimpse of the Lake. The furnishings could be called eclectic. It's a blend of warehouse and garage sale. We actually lived in this cabin for almost 2 years while waiting for the new main residence in Sparks to be finished. It is not recommended that two adults inhabit such a place for an extended period of time especially during the winter when cabin fever is much more than just a saying. The Scher family has expanded by leaps and bounds and the new generation of grandkids is enjoying the fruits of their grandparent's decision to buy that cabin.
It's a nice neighborhood. Unlike the other homes mentioned here, a tour of the cabin would take a mere 5 minutes. Please let us know if you happen to be in the vicinity.