A Visit to South of the Border

There are hundreds of signs pointing the way to South of the Border. On our recent trip to Florida, the signs start in North Carolina and go on and on. We always make fun of the place whenever we drive by it - going down and coming back - in all seasons and times of the day. I never dreamed we would ever stop - until we did. It was a rainy grey day and the place was a bit empty. Since it was just before Christmas, I thought it would be a great place to find a couple of gag gifts for our friends. But it also gave us an opportunity to check out this place that has been around for many years and supports the surrounding community with jobs. There is a campground, motels, restaurants, gift shops, restrooms, arcades, sombrero tower, reptile lagoon, convention center, gasoline, and all the whimsical creatures that remind one of times gone by. We ended up getting a bag, doll, and magnet - and they were a big hit! I’m glad we stopped as there really is nothing else quite like it - except maybe Wall Drug Store in South Dakota - or what was Webb City in St. Petersburg. It really takes you back to another time - the good, the bad, and the ugly. 

South of the Border - You Can’t Miss it!

For as long as we have been traveling to and from Florida from DC - and now Virginia - we always pass by a “landmark.” It’s called South of the Border. By the border is meant between North and South Carolina on I-95. It reminds me of the days when we first moved to Florida sixty years ago. We took road trips all around the state and the biggest diversion was to see and read all the billboards - particularly those that were leading you up to some sort of attraction. Back then it was Silver Springs, Weeki Wachee Springs, Homosassa Springs, Six Gun Territory.... those were the days. Last week we took our usual December jaunt to visit my mom in Florida. And there they were - the signs for South of the Border. The place has been around forever and is a real throw back to another time, place, and “political correctness” environment. Pedro leads the way - the reptile farm, kid’s stuff, campground, shops, motor hotel, mini golf & rides, fireworks, and other play on word slogans. We have passed by this place in the day time and at night - where it looks like Las Vegas bright. It seems that there are never a lot of takers who actually stop by. I suppose winter really isn’t the season, but it’s rarely busy at other times of the year. All I can say is that it’s a landmark. And the signs are a bit of nostalgia. 

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Chick-fil-A, Night Drive, South of the Border,and the Pope

We planned a visit to Florida a few weeks back. It's been three months since my Dad passed away, and we wanted to check up on Mom. We planned to leave on Wednesday this week but decided to leave on Tuesday so we would arrive before the Pope appears on Capitol Hill Thursday. We know how congested the neighborhood gets for inauguration and federal workers were told to stay home to avoid the mess. So after taking mom for breakfast this morning we left town at 11:30 and haven't stopped. We decided to make the whole trip in one swoop. We would arrive in DC around 2:00 AM and avoid the more than two hour typical delays. So to fortify our first night drive in over many, many years, we stopped at a very crowded Chick-fil-A in Florence, South Carolina. We've actually stopped here a couple times for the night in previous trips. Then we gassed up, and started the voyage back. It took a bit of getting used to, and if either one of us gets too tired we will stop. So here's hoping for a smooth ride.  How many times can you see Pedro's South of the Border in lights? Let's hope the Subaru holds up and we can find a parking space. 

 

Pedro's South of the Border

When we moved to Florida in 1960, we took many summer road trips all over the state and up and down the east coast. We escaped the cold harsh winters of New England. Now we are traveling to Florida from Washington. Rather than fly, we sometimes prefer the drive. Approaching South Carolina about 17 miles away from Pedro's, there are signs after signs about South of the Border - a landmark tourist attraction that even has gators. I have never been there, but it reminds me of the old days when the billboards were among the few diversions on road trips those days. Now it all seems so old, but charming at the same time. Gator land, Six Gun Territory, Silver Spring glass bottom boats, Sunken Gardens....that was before Disney World and Universal Studios. So Pedro is still going - wonder for how much longer?