On our trip to Virginia Beach, we had arranged to meet the rest of our workcamping group at the RV park at South of the Border. Never having traveled this particular stretch of highway, we were unaware of the experience ahead.
If you have traveled on Interstate 95 in the east, you will have seen the signs. Pedro welcomes you for MILES north and south of the North Carolina/South Carolina border. Reminiscent of the old Berma Shave signs, the billboards extol the virtues of stopping at "South of the Border".
I don't know how long this area has been in development, but it I am aware it started out with just a restaurant and motel. Now it is a major intersection on the highway! With several restaurant's, stores, gas stations, motels, and attractions for young and old, it entices people of all types. Set right on the north edge of the state of South Carolina (from the RV park you walk about 500 feet to be in North Carolina!) the tower with the Sombrero top stands out day and night to notify you of your arrival.
Visitors roam the one mile area day and night, enjoying the sights, buying souvenirs, swimming in the heated covered pool and spa, (available to anyone staying at the RV park, or in the motel) eating from the various types of restaurants and playing - everything from putt-putt golf to video games.
One of the things I liked most (as I love to do various crafts) was the cost of plain 50/50 tee shirts at the Tee Shirt Shop! I bought 50 of them in various solid colors from pastels to darks! At 3 for $5.00 I couldn't pass up the chance to have good quality shirts to paint! It took me two years to use them up, but it was worth it.
The RV park was wonderful. Each lot had cement level pads with full hookups, including cable. A very nice laundry, good, clean restrooms, and several playgrounds for the kids as well as tables and grills at each shaded spot made this a very nice stopping place. Of course, you need to look hard to find the park - it is placed behind the store and gas station. But it is worth the time needed to find it.
The people here were most helpful. We found out that Mr. Scheaffer, the man who built the facilities, also produces a local soda - and we were given a guided tour of the bottling plant as well as samples of the soda; a ginger ale that is the HOTTEST thing I have ever tried! The soda is made in several strengths(thank goodness!) and in regular and diet varieties. It is sold in the stores, too. I would say it is an acquired taste. Several in our group bought some to take along with them.
Like Disneyland or Sea World, I suggest that you stop by just once. This is a place that you either love to stop at, or only want to see once in your life. It is worth the trip!