There are very few places I ever encounter where there is no public bathroom. I myself have little holding capacity, always have, so I am careful!
I always hear a story my MIL tells of a family trip they took. MIL, FIL, 3 kids under age 8 (boy 8, boy 6, girl 5). They were coming back from Grandmas house 3 hours away, a trip they often took. They were in FIL's nicely restored car...his "baby" altho is was an every day driver. This would ahve been in the later 1970's.
FIL was not a "stopper". 5 year old girl needed to pee. BAD. MIL asked him to stop several times. They argued over it. He told girl to hold it, they would be home soon. Tough it out. Then he stopped for gas at station a few blocks from home. Filled up, washed the windows, putzy putzy. MIL was pissed. Girl said she was going to pee. Tears and all. MIL told her to pee on the seat. DO IT she told her.
So she did, crying the whole time. She knew dad was going to be madder than ever about his car. He got back in, smelled the pee, girl was blabbering and crying. MIL was triumphant. They drove home in silence (5 minutes away from home) and FIL never said another word I guess. Lots of silence for a while at home after that I guess. And enough potty stops on future Gramma 3 hour trips to satisfy all the family members after that.
I have heard this story for the last 25 years that I have been a part of this family!! My hubby always stops when I gotta go!! He may not like to stop so much on our cross country trips, but he remembers what the alternative can be from this childhood episode! LOL
Mean people suck! Poor Emmy!