100 Miles for McDonalds...

Our map of Europe shows one big highway that goes all the way down to Maastricht, and then another big highway that goes straight from Maastricht to Cologne (FYI. In Europe it's Koln and has nothing at all to do with fragrances). So you think no problem... just take one highway and more than likely there'll be signs on the exits pointing us to the next big highway. And you think Danelle as navigator... no problem... "Brendan, at Maastricht all we have to do is cross this big river here and we'll be in Cologne..." "Ummm... Danelle, I think that's the German border." "Oh... well why is it in blue? That's stupid..." "... I don't know..."
First big problem is similar to Regina and Calgary, there is no major highway that goes AROUND each city and not through it. Instead every little town or city, that doesn't even exist on our crappy map with blue borders for countries, has us slowing down to 50, making 3 different turns and going through 2 other roundabouts, just to get back on the highway towards destination Cologne.
And second big problem was leaving at 2 to get there. Because a couple detours later and we're stuck in the middle of rush hour traffic (which seems to begin at 3:30 in Europe). So we decide to pull over for supper and wait out the traffic... we see a Mcdonalds.. no onions please.. sorry but you'll have to wait till we make a whole new burger.. uhhh, that was the plan all along Mcdonald's lady.. eat.. the map of the city shows that there's a castle not too far away.. bring the frisbee and maybe we'll throw it.. walk.. looks more like a house surrounded by a moat than anything else.. it's too windy for the frisbee.. lose motivation.. drive to Heerlen.. not even on our map.. no I'm not getting another map.. more traffic.. Heerlen you are a nemesis.. think of all the things we need to get done back home.. Danelle gets bored and starts singing Disney tunes at the top of her lungs... and suddenly we're home making Sweet and Sour Meatballs and rice and watching America's Toughest Prisons and Life and Times of Pablo Escobar and Medillin...