Road Tripping North: Madrid to Etxauri with Little Eaters

Today was a big **travel day** - we left the hustle and heat of Madrid behind and began our scenic road trip north toward **Etxauri**, a small town near Pamplona surrounded by mountains and vineyards. We started the morning with a **quick but hearty breakfast** at our Airbnb - **scrambled eggs, fresh bread, and fruit**. It was simple, but it did the job before loading into the rental car and hitting the road.  Midway through our drive, we made a stop in **Soria** for lunch at a quaint little spot called **Taberna Mercedes**. It was charming, and the adults were ready for a break. I ordered a **beautiful salad** filled with fresh local ingredients - it hit the spot. Unfortunately, it wasn't a win with the kids. The **"hamburgers" turned out to be pork-based**, and had a hot dog flavor that didn't sit well with anyone under age 10. Despite our efforts, lunch was mostly a miss.   To turn the day around, we promised an **ice cream stop** before reaching our final destination. We made our way through **Logroño**, where we found a **gelato shop** - but there was a catch: **they only served containers**, no cones, and not enough variety for every child to get their own unique flavor. Cue a valuable lesson in **sharing and flexibility**: you get what you get, or you skip ice cream. Most of the kids opted to adapt - and yes, everyone enjoyed a sweet treat.  After winding roads and golden hills, we finally arrived in **Etxauri** - and the **Airbnb took our breath away**. With stone walls, antique doors, and sweeping views, it looked like something out of a medieval fairytale.   There was just one hiccup: **we didn't plan dinner**. And in true small-town Spain fashion, nearly everything was closed by the time we went looking (this is what happens on a Sunday). Thankfully, we found one little spot open just down the road - a surprising combo of **Spanish and Chinese food, Hostal Don Javier**. The kids were overjoyed with a spread of **egg rolls, fried rice, pasta with chicken, and French fries**. It wasn't fancy, but it was exactly what they needed after a long day.  The evening ended with some impromptu **soccer in the park**, laughter under the stars, and a very tired group heading to bed.  ## 🍴 Little Eaters Takeaways * **Not every meal is a win - and that's okay.** Sometimes pork burgers taste like hot dogs, and no one's thrilled. Letdowns are part of the journey. * **Flexibility is a skill.** Sharing ice cream when choices are limited? That's real-world practice in being adaptable - and it can still be fun. * **Unexpected meals can become favorites.** The surprise Chinese-Spanish dinner wasn't part of the plan, but it brought smiles, full bellies, and a little reminder that food doesn't need to be fancy to feel special. * **Always pack a backup snack... and maybe scout a dinner plan in advance.** Lesson learned for the grown-ups, too!