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If you have ever traveled I-95 on the East coast, chances are you have driven through Dillon, SC, home to South of the Border.  If not, prepare yourself…

The billboards begin their siren song as far as 75 miles away.  (Fireworks are illegal in NC.)

Halfway between New York and Florida, mascot Pedro has been captivating motorists with kitschy and somewhat campy billboard messages since 1950. 

I drove through last Sunday at midday.  It had been at least 40 years, so when the familiar tower and sombrero came into view, I pulled a hard right.  Sorry about the squashed bugs…

I parked at the Sunoco station and hopped out to take pictures.  The place had definitely gotten a face lift.

It looked like a cross between a spark plug and a soft serve ice cream cone.  Covered in decals, it obviously served as a bulletin board of sorts. 

Apparently, mostly for beer and fishing…

Covid-19 has affected virtually every walk of life and this 135-acre compound was not exempt. It was nearly deserted.

Ice cream and fireworks.  It doesn’t get any better than this.  Seriously…it doesn’t.

I headed to the arcade at the base of the tower wearing a sombrero.  (The tower, not I, was wearing it.)

There was enough here to send us all hurtling back into childhood, but it was eerily silent.  

No buzzers, whistles, or laughter- like someone forgot to start the sound track.  Truly a testament to our current plan-demic reality.

Thinking of all the great aerial photos I would take, I was particularly disappointed that I was not allowed to climb the 200′ observation tower.

Patriotic Pedro looked more like an Elvis impersonator to me.  Anyone else get that?

An eclectic assortment of glossy concrete animals were scattered about. 

 I believe the rabbit with antlers is referred to as a jackalope, a fearsome mythical critter. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackalope

My friends in front of the Motor Hotel were showing their age.  Who isn’t, these days?

Y’all know I just love flamingos.

Normally a very busy road, today it was a cinch to cross.  I’m on my way to check out the Great White shark.

Having lived on the East coast most of my life, I’ve seen my share of beaches and beach shops.

This one blew the doors off the rest in terms of clean, colorful, and creative.  I enjoyed every minute of my time there.

Hmmm.  Seems to be a theme here.  It’s not my intention to promote alcohol or drunkenness.

I’m easily distracted on a good day, but immersed in my picture-taking,  I forgot that I had come to see a shark.

Okay, so I felt duped, thinking it was made of rubber or hard plastic.  Shame on me for being so naive…

The darn thing is real! I know nothing about taxidermy, but how do you even catch something that big???

Nestled among the crude and crass, I find objects of simple elegance.

Karen, a store employee, who proudly fashioned these sarongs into beautiful dresses, invited me to photograph them.

Lindsay, the cashier, turns the mannequin for a better shot.  Such delightful women, these two.  I hope they’re reading this.

Time to go. I have another 4 hours of driving, so I bid my big pink friend adieu and head toward the I-95 South on-ramp.

Hope you enjoyed South of the Border.  We’re all good now for another 40 years…Ride along on my next adventure and feel free to subscribe or leave a comment.  God’s shalom and blessings!