ONE day last year I mentioned to old friend Dick Barry, a developer headquartered in San Francisco, that I'd never been to Lake Tahoe. He was amazed, as were most of my Bay area friends, who made frequent treks there. "Next trip," he promised, "we'll drive up there." I'd sort of forgotten about that conversation until my latest S.F. sojourn when Barry said, "Let's go!" So off we went, stopping in Sacramento to visit another old colleague of his, a fellow he calls "Tumbleweed" in recognition of his own adventurous nature. I mentioned I had a friend who now lives in Incline Village, so we rang her and told her we were on our way . . .
Annette Stapleton
THE friend, Annette Stapleton, used to live in Hawaii before moving back to her Nevada roots and engaging in real estate, as she did in Hawaii. She was named "Realtor of the Year" there last year. We got a royal tour of the area, including some of the homes she'd recently sold, most very upscale with views of Lake Tahoe that rival anything I've ever seen. One had a three story glass elevator so the owners could have that view in front of them at all times. Barry, while impressed with the digs, said he was happy he didn't have the Pacific Gas & Electric bill that goes with it each month. The vista of the lake was reason enough for the sidetrip, but it was fun reminiscing with an ex-isle pal as well . . .
AT dinner that night, Annette informed us that an old girlfriend of mine from 15 years ago, Sigrid Crumpton (now Biddle), is also living in Incline Village. We got her on the phone and invited her and her husband, CPA Don Biddle, to breakfast the next morning. He wouldn't be able to make it, but Sigrid said she would. Barry seemed impressed. Though I'd never been to Tahoe there was not one, but two women meeting us for breakfast ...
IT seems Annette and Sigrid have become fast friends in Tahoe and when Barry mentioned Don Murphy's name, Sigrid asked if he meant the owner of the Bar and Grill in downtown Honolulu. "Yes," said Barry, who's been associated with Murph for over 25 years. "He used to be our tenant," said Sigrid, "when my husband and I owned a condo in Honolulu." Barry's eyes rolled upward one more time. The "small world" quality of the trip never seemed to stop ...
AFTER leaving the ladies, we completed our circling of the huge lake, stopping for lunch at a charming spot on the water called Sunnyside. We walked in and there was a sign staring us in the eye: "A TS Restaurant." That would be Rob Thibaut and Sandy Saxon, owner of Kimo's, Duke's and numerous other isle eateries. Coincidences mounted ...
