This has been an incredibly long day of driving and riding for all of us and everyone is just ready to be out of this car. But first some random sights.

Like this chair on the side of the road. Actually there were two.

And this circle K which is only one of so many that we saw today. Circle K and Hesburger definitely have the market here for gas and burgers. It’s crazy.

Oh looky there. I can actually finally see the coast line from the car. For only about 30 seconds but I guess it still counts as a costal drive.

We started getting the “what are we doing for dinner” about two hours or so out. I know that Greg didn’t want to stop but when Maddie asked and she she needed to use the restroom pronto he realized a stop was necessary. But where? There’s honestly not a lot out here aside from Hesburger which no one wants to experience for a second time. It looked like we would be coming up on a small town soon so we decided that was our best chance.

Once arriving into Pasvalys we turned onto seemingly the only street into town from the route we were on and saw really no restaurants. We got a tour through the tiny town as Greg took speed humps at 20mph or so with Maddie popping out of our third row seat in the back of the van several times. It was all fun and games until she reminded him of her current bladder situation.

We finally resolved ourself to the fact that a McDonald’s or other fast food option or really any other option wasn’t going to present itself. Back we went to the grocery store we had just passed. Greg was certain they would have a restroom and some grab and go sandwiches. They had neither.

I suggested we go to the gas station on the corner (not a Circle K) and Greg reluctantly agreed. He had thought it looked a little sketch from the outside but we were desperate so it didn’t even matter at this point. Especially since he was suggesting maybe we go find a field for Maddie.

The gas station ended up not being too bad. They had lots of sandwich options but unfortunately nothing really for Maddie. Greg had the great idea for he and Maddie to walk back to the grocery store (which was next door) to grab salad or something for Maddie while we paid.

I had gone to use the restroom when all this brain power was happening. He left Brooks with a card to pay. Apparently the cashier did not speak any English and Brooks clearly doesn’t speak and Lithuanian. The cashier kept saying something to Brooks that he didn’t understand. Thankfully there was a military guy in line behind him that said “he wants to know if you want it heated.” Brooks said “oh thank you. No.”

We all got sandwiches (minus Maddie) that were basically all bread. Logan was so mad his had mayo because that wasn’t marked on the package. Greg had been mad there were no condiments mentioned so he bought mayo at the store. So needless to say, once Logan scraped off his mayo we had more mayo that any family of 5 needed on a road trip. Maddie ended up with a homemade cheese sandwich that I never actually saw.

As Brooks told Greg the story about the military guy Logan said “why didn’t you have him toast it!”

After our dinner stop we are finally on a four lane road…with basically no other cars. Guess I could have driven after all now that passing isn’t a requirement.

Just after 9pm we had arrived in Vilnius. A much different vibe than Tallinn with its much bigger downtown vibe. Hopefully Greg’s “dream” of 37 years to visit Vilnius is all that he imagined it to be.

After a somewhat stressful parking situation in a tiny hotel parking garage with our giant Renault Trafic van we unloaded and headed to the lobby of the Hilton Garden Inn Vilnius. They were clearly expecting us. I’m thinking it’s not all that common to get an American family here with three hotel rooms from a Diamond Hilton member but then again I could be completely wrong. The main front desk person made sure to welcome us and helped her newer colleague ensure that Greg got the best room of the three with the best views. You guessed it….all of the rooms are exactly the same with essentially the same view. All are on the third floor on the same side of the building just down the hall from one another.

Our room did have an upgrade, it seems as though “Mr Baker” and his “status” is being recognized again. This time with some macarons and chocolate and a hand written note. I’m not mad about it.

After some back and forth over the morning meet time it’s off to bed. We are all incredibly exhausted and mostly just over being in the car for so long. Hoping everyone gets some sleep and we can get a fresh start tomorrow!

But seriously, I wonder if that sandwich would have been better toasted?