Gary is still on vacation and is now eating his way across Colorado...lol...
August 2nd
Good morning. Since I have been at my sister, Jane’s in Colorado, I have been so lazy and getting up late in the morning. So I haven’t explored any breakfast places to report about. Plus, it is nice every once in a while just to get up, have some coffee and not do anything except read a book or play a guitar. Since I am on vacation, I don’t feel the least bit guilty about doing this and I can’t wait until I am done being a slave to the establishment so I can live free of the constraints of having to work. Soon enough, my fellow bikers; soon enough.
Yesterday, though, I woke up early and was ready to eat & ride. The weather here has been very spotty. Sun, then thunder storms, then sun again so when you ride it is like a game of cat and mouse. In Colorado they have a saying, ‘if you don’t like the weather now, then just wait a half hour.’ I have found this to be so true. If you let the weather bother you here then leave your bike in the garage because you’ll never ride. Even if you get wet, the storm moves on and you get a free bath. You’re dry in about 10 minutes anyway and you have a fresh scent about you. For most bikers this is a welcome change. LOL.
My sister recommended this place in Colorado Springs called ‘Sheldon’s Luncheonette’. I remembered eating there a few years back and I wondered if things had changed. So I got on my bike and headed down Interstate 25. My sister lives in ‘Monument’ which is half way between Denver and Colorado Springs in a beautiful area of pine trees and rolling pastures. The ride to Sheldon’s is a short 17 miles and since I have ridden about 2000 miles since I started this vacation, a 17mile breakfast ride is like the blink of the eye, especially since no one obeys the 75 mph speed limit and is moving along at 90 mph. The other thing about riding in Colorado is that I get to leave my helmet in the garage. Man, it is such a great feeling of freedom without that ‘thing’ on my head. I remember when California didn’t have a helmet law. Oh well, I will enjoy it while it lasts. The area where ‘Sheldon’s’ is located is not the most scenic of spots (it’s in a small strip mall) but as Hope has taught me, that has nothing to do with finding a great breakfast place. (Read our article about Hozy’s). I puledl in the parking lot and there were plenty of spots open. Since this is a Tuesday morning at 9:30am, I would imagine most of their business is at work already. This is a small place in the order of ‘Café 126’ and just as homey. It is an older place as you can tell by the tables (clean but worn) and counter (the style and seats) which is where I planted myself. They have a staff of 4 people and the waitress immediately comes up to me asking what I want to drink. She is a ‘spicy’ type of chick with a quick wit. I order coffee and water. One hint about being in this altitude (above 6000’) is that being a lowlander you need to keep hydrated. It seems this altitude sucks the moisture right out of you until you get used to it. It has something to do with the amount of oxygen your body is used to and water replaces it, something like that. Just drink a lot of water and I will stop with the science class.
So I look at the menu and they offer a good variety of breakfast dishes but I do remember that their pancakes are exceptional. I just forgot how big they were. In fact, when I ordered, I asked for a ‘stack’ but the waitress told me they will do it but it is no longer on the menu. It seems no one could finish them and there was just too much waste. I trusted her and ordered ‘a pancake’, bacon and over-easy eggs. Well, this ‘pancake’ overlaps the plate (see photo) and must be a half inch thick. It is delicious. The eggs were cooked perfect and the bacon just the way I like it, crisp but not shrunk up to nothing. The service was great and the people were all characters. This place has personality as well as great food. When I was taking the pictures, I was telling them no one would believe me about the size of the pancake and they laughed about how no one does. I finished the whole breakfast with nothing on the plate to leave as evidence of my being there. They were amazed that I ate the whole thing. I guess they didn’t see my waistline as evidence of my finishing many of our breakfast adventures. The person next to me ordered the chicken fried steak and eggs which looked outstanding. Hope would have loved this place and when we take this web site nationwide, this is one of the places we will revisit. So if you are riding to Colorado Springs stop in and check out ‘Sheldon’s Luncheonette’. You won’t be disappointed. Tell them Hope & Gary sent you. Well, for now, just Gary. Safe riding.
Sheldon's Luncheonette
204 Mountain View Lane, Suite 16
Colorado Springs, CO 80907
(719) 599-0887
