Ah, South of the Border. I've been there a few times. The first was in the late '70s, when I would say the place was in its heyday. Pedro's billboards were on I-95 from Washington DC to Miami, getting more frequent the closer to got to the NC/SC line. Federal law has since significantly cut back on the number of signs allowed along the highways, and so there are relatively few SotB signs along I-95 now. My last visit was a few years ago. It's a shell of what it used to be. (The word "tired" comes to mind.) I'm glad to hear that the steakhouse is still good.
Fyi, "The Pedler" Steak House is a chain. One of the best steak houses anywhere is The Pedler in Gatlinburg TN, just across the mountain from your area. It is right on a mountain stream fresh out of the Smokies. Try it sometime. Waits on the weekends in summer are frequently over an hour at dinner time, so beware.
In 1989, while living in Charleston, Hurricane Hugo arrived. We evacuated to Greenville, SC. We then returned to Charleston to get personal items for co-workers. We then headed north to PA where they lived. No power or lights as we headed north until….Pedros South of The Border. A beacon of light. Safe travels.
Man I miss 1984ish, great food, awesome music and the world was not so freaking crazy. And I could run marathons. I liked the South of The Border moto cross Super C and trailer in the lot there. Glad it worked backing Lucille out, would feel bad laughing if anything funny happened. Stay safe and healthy.
South of the border was a hopping place back in the 60’s and 70’s when I was just a lad . Last time I was there coming back from Myrtle it was ghost town but scored some great fireworks.. btw loading and unloading the bike is very entertaining.. I know it well , I always end up taking my buddy’s bike . Double baggers and 2 e-bikes in the back is always stressful.. love the new rig
After seeing the SotB signs for years on end during our travels from VA to the south, we stayed at the SotB motor inn a few years back (2019 I think) as we were beyond exhausted and felt it was too dangerous to keep driving even though we only had about 1 1/2 hours to go to get to our destination. The room was surprising huge and clean, the bed was a rock and the bedding not great, worn and old, but clean. We ate at the little restaurant which was ok, the service was good. The food was nothing to write home about. We took a bunch of cheesy photos with the painted animals scattered around and went into the large shop that was closed when you visited. It was much the same as the one you went into. It served it purpose and we did park our truck right outside the room in the carport. Enjoyed your video, thanks!
My Dad and I stayed in the motel in 1969 on the way to FL. It hasn't changed much since then evidently. We've never stayed in the campground because when it would have made a good stop for us headed south you couldn't check in after 8 or so. Now we blow past it 2 hours after we leave home but it is a nice CG with lots of room.
Just something to look into as a mat that may not slide as easy is a 3/4 rubber livestock mat. I got one and cut 16” square for under my Anderson bucket when on rocky surfaces. Can find a Tractor Supply, Rural King or Farm and Fleet.
I loved this video so much..when my daughter and I drove to Florida in 2013… it looked exactly the same !…it does look like it used to be a super place!
I also was excited to see SotB before I went. I think I’m with Chad-it represented a bygone area. Still glad I went. Thanks for showing the campground. Happy traveling!
Thanks for this. My husband and I are driving from Georgia to the Outer Banks and decided to make this our halfway overnight stop. The land time forgot. We did love the steakhouse and the rv park was perfect for the one night.
We stopped here several times throughout the 5 years our oldest was stationed at Ft. Bragg. Such a weird little place! I still have the fridge magnets!
We overnight every year on our way to and from Florida. We laughed at your reaction to the Steak House, we had the same reaction and we’re pleasantly surprised with our meal!
We used to stop there. Bucees open up not far from there so we go there now. The bathrooms are cleaner. But it’s good too see other sections. Cool to know the rv park is worth an overnight.
We live 45 mins from there in NC. When we moved here 22 years ago we went just to see the stores since the kids were small, it was cheesy then. I just recently drove there to try and see the CG but only got info. So thank you for the tour of the CG.
I grew up in NC and was stationed in SC. On one trip we decided to stop in, this was back around 1987. It was a happening place back then. It seems that it was towards the end of the heyday of the "tourist traps". We had a lot of fun back then.
Chad.. I felt you clinch when the golf cart came whizzing by while you were in full backwards motion down hill on the bike.. I darn near yelled and jumped myself!
It's kinda neat to see y'all pulling into a campground we have been many times. Also have been to the KOA on 95 in Lumberton. Actually have been staying there for years with our camping square dance club. Wilmington has many attractions. On thing they have is the USS North Carolina Battleship. Self or guided tours available but go there first thing in the day so you have all your energy. Enjoy your stay.
I went to SOB when I was 10 (1971) It was very cool then - Very crowded. Like many other things, it had its time. Still amazed at the bumper stickers for the place that are still seen all over the US and Canada.
Thanks for the trip down memory lane!! I have been to South of the Border several times in the mid eighties when I was in the Army at Ft. Bragg. It was something to see then and was always crowed when we stopped.
We’ve stopped a couple times at SOTB, but only went into a couple buildings. I didn’t know there was a campground! That would work for a Disney layover.
I grew up just a few miles across the Border. Being 68 I could tell ya some stories about that place. Wilmington is best in the spring when the Azaleas are blooming.
I have stayed at that campground a few times. In fact I have stayed in that same spot you are in. I live in Virginia and this is an overnight stay for us on our way to Myrtle Beach.
Ahhh South of the Boarder. The middle point of I95, if you start from Maine and go to Miami the “south of the boarder” rest stop is exact half way point.
We accidentally found that place a few years ago during COVID and stayed at that same campground. The steakhouse was closed, so we ate Mexican food across the street... it was pretty good!
Really have to try that place. Been by South of the Border. Tara I know you were tired girlfriend but you did a great job sharing your journey with us! 🙏🏾🙏🏻❤️ The campground in Wilmington looked really nice!
While heading to Myrtle Beach and my mom was with us I had to stop. She loved it so I conceded to one cheesy gift shop. I personally couldn't wait to get out of there. It was dingy and smelled, but being the good daughter I left her look. That was late 90s, early 2000s.
Chad met you at Lake Powell Marina and RV. This was in summer 2022. You and Tara were traveling with Phil and Stacey. Talked to you briefly as you and Daisy was taking trash to dumpster. I was born and raised just about 10 miles from SOB. Welcome to our neck of woods. Maybe will cross paths again in the future. I ride mc on and off road. And if Phil and Stacey reads this I was in the Navy. I’m subscribed to your channel and Phil channel and have been for a long time.
I enjoyed the tour of the store. I believe I could stay in there for awhile looking at all the stuff. That looked like a nice campground. Thanks for the tour.
Great episode! (As always!) I laughed a lot during this one! You two are so fun! I totally get the over-tired, slaphappy vibe! (Tara, I love the Rose Apothecary shirt!)
Ive passed by the billboards but never have stopped . Thanks for the video , now i know i won't have to stop.😊 the steaks looked great, no matter what decade they came from😅
Last time I went was in the 90s and it was very busy area. The only down fall of this place is all the shops close so early. Most people don't go out until like night time.
Of course a golf cart comes by at the exact moment you get the bike to the bottom of the ramp. I think they should have stopped or waited. Jeeze. Fun video. Too bad South of the Border had so many closed places. It is past its prime. But good that the campground was nice.
We did a two night stop there at South of the border campground on our way from Maryland to Florida. Our grandson loved it. We did the reptile 🦎 tour. It was perfectly worth it. We spent at least an hour in that nic nack store. The hat was closed for repairs. Definitely would do it again as an overnight.
We just completed our longest one day of camper hauling at 349 miles. We have just set our bar. We were trashed! We keep referring to your rules of 3s!
We stayed there in 1988 and the rooms were horrible. The beds were uncomfortable and the rooms smelled. We have not been back since. 😊even our boys who were 6 and 8 never asked us to go back.
Haha I was laughing as I watching the video because it reminded me the first trip we took to Florida from Jersey ( before I knew about RV I was 19 ) haha we stopped at the wonderful South of the Border to rest, so imagine this 4 of us and a Vega yes a Chevy Vega. We stop at the restaurant on the trucker side to get a bit to eat this was in 1977 as we having dinner this huge water bug we seen going across the the next table and we named it Herbie up to today my sister and I still talk about our little friend Herbie. But all and all we had a blast. To bad you guys didn’t get a chance to actually visit the whole place Ps love Tara shirt 👚 and all your videos 🎉
We drive right by South of the Boarder every time. Thanks for the tour. Now I think we would stop for the night. Rich has a question for you, why do you start your bike when unloading it? When Rich unloads he does not start the bike, puts it in first gear, clutch in, when rolling it down the ramp if the front wheel slides he releases the clutch a bit to keep it from sliding. Give it a try sometimes and see if that works for you. Hoping to see you two on the road some time. 👍
I do the same (clutch the rear wheel), but with the engine running. I've tried the other way and the engine turned a half cycle, making it slide back faster.
I first went in the late 80s and it was really busy. Went again in March 2013 and it was sad then as well. I really wanted it to be fun for my kids but maybe they will have a resurgence one day
We haven't thought of that place in a long time. BTW We were going east on I40 today and passed you in the Black Mountain area, definitely can't miss that rig coming at you!!! Love the colors!!
We pass SOTB 3-4 times a year and there are never more than 3 or 4 cars parked there. I've heard it used to be a happening place but we have never stopped. It used to have a reputation as a place to "meet ladies".
I have a funny power pole story. We arrived at a KOA after a very long summer drive. Our fifth wheel was steamy hot so getting the air on was top priority. Phil tried to plug into the pole but the plugs were all messed up. We sat for at least half an hour trying to figure out what to do as the park was full. Phil spoke with the office so we waited another 20 mins for the tech to come help us. Turns out Phil was trying to plug into the old pole. The new one was right there in plain sight 😂 Normally I would do a walk around with him but I too suffer from a chronic illness which soars in humidity. So all I could do was sit still. 🤦 Phil felt so dumb when the tech showed him the brand new pole right beside him. 😂
@@ChangingLanes I agree. I believe it was a project in process. The new pole was very recently installed. That was the only time I didn't get out and park Phil. It was a pull through and the long travel day had gotten the best of me. It was also the last time 😊 Now no matter how I feel, I get out and look for him.
Good episode. We live in Sarasota, FL (natives)! We often travel to Virginia Beach, VA. For business NOT pleasure. Why would we travel to VA beach from the #1 beach in the world - just saying. Back to the point. We have a diesel pusher and pull a 30' enclosed trailer. We utilize South of the Border as a 1 night lay over every time. We do NOT stay for hotels, attractions or food. For a night it is a PERFECT stop over! Huge spots, easy in and out and full service hook ups. And for the price you can NOT beat it!!
Same experience I had at SOB. All my fault, I was hyped after years of seeing bumper stickers ect. Granted I went 20 years ago but looked like nothing changed. At least did not look like got any worse. Thank you for your take on it.
Very cool video, guys. Socks that you got there after everything was closed. Chad, I think the problem on your mat sliding is front brakes. You probably figured that out pretty quick, though. Kind of hard to back up, downhill, using feet to stabilize, and not using front brake. You could load backwards and then just pull out, I'm certain that Tara wouldn't mind pushing uphill. LOL BIG bikes need reverse. Looks like the new trailer is Daisy approved. God bless ya'll and stay safe on the road.
Putting that strap onntge bike wheel stand to the camper was a good idea to keep it from going back with you on the way out. That would have been my suggestion, but on watching a 2nd time, I seen it there. My Condor wheel chock is anchored to the floor, so it doesn't move. I use a industrial rubber mat (friend got some fromnwhen she loaded semi truck trailers). Awesome grip for the bike tires to the linoleum floor.
Cool video, seems a bit deserted🙁 I remember passing South Of The Border back in the early 90’s and it looked robust and busy. If I’m ever passing through on 95, I’ll surely stop in though🙂
SOTB really brings back some memories but the place has really gone down over the years. My last time stopping there was just to use it as a rest stop as I was dog tired and needed to rest. I realized they had a campground but I never really gave it a thought because we did not acquire a RV until recently. It looks like the CG would be OK for an overnighter. I don't think it was mentioned in the video but it appears as though the per night rate is about $55 - $60.
Chad, I’m actually watching this wearing the identical shirt that your wearing, “Safety Third” 😮😊 Hey if you haven’t tried it, you need to hit the Townsend KOA in Townsend, Tennessee. Beautiful campground and right outside the Smoky Mountains.
South of the Border has huge potential. They need a great marketing/promotor type person. Make it the place to be. Just one simple thought is to have, let me see from my non existing marketing degree, some young ladies in golf carts helping folks. Step in the golf cart and get a 4 ounce Margarita to kick things off. The infrastructure is all there.
I always remember watching for the billboards for 100 miles as we got closer reading Pedro’s comments. Then the highlight was visiting the fireworks store that you failed to go into. When backing out of the garage, if you don’t use the front brake until you clear the mat, wouldn’t that help not to grab the mat and pulling it out?
We had a very similar power issue at a park recently. Spent 4 hours diagnosing the issue. Ended up be a problem caused by a neighboring RV. Frustrated that the MultiPlus would not give any error messages. Feel your pain.
@@ChangingLanes the relays in the MultiPlus would not engage the power. I think there was bad wiring causing a small voltage between neutral and ground (170mV) and that kept the relays from engaging but low enough it did not trip the surgeguard. It was very hard to diagnose especially with no error message from the Victron. Switching to 30amp worked fine and after the RV departed 50amp worked again.
When I was little, we would see the hundreds of signs for 'South Of The Border'... we took our motorhome past it 2 years ago and didn't stop 'cause it looked empty. You guys confirmed what we suspected thou the campground looked pretty nice. Great video--you made me laugh!
You didn’t mention the hot Blenheim ginger ale…did you try it? It’s legendary in South Carolina, & they have now moved the whole bottling operation to South of the Border. If you’re through there again, definitely try some of the hot variety.
wow, we're up the rd from there. Chad, good morning, coastie here,lol..listen do you have a recommendation for a wireless type app for the propane bottles and keeping eye on levels. i no my ET navy guy will help out a shallow water retired sailor. you and Tara have a great day, and safe traves.
I’ve always wondered if this place was still open when we go by it. So, I guess the answer is some of it. Now I know if we need a campground that is an option.
