I was riding down with Steve, one of our satellite truck operators. Before he left the station everyone gave him their own way to get there. We seemed to have taken the scenic route.

After winding back roads we finally made it to Interstate 95 and South of the Border.

Most people in Charlotte have never been to ‘Pedroland’ because it’s nearly mathematically impossible to get from Charlotte to Dillon, South Carolina but somehow we managed.

From Pennsylvania to Florida, billboards for the theme park include:

Pedro's Weather Forecast: Chili today, hot tamale.

Keep America Green! Bring Money!

You Never Sausage a Place! You're Always a Wiener at Pedro's!

Pedro's fire works! Does yours?

In 1950 a man named Alan Schafer started a beer stand at the location. Then building supplies were delivered to "Schafer Project: South Of The [North Carolina] Border" and the empire was born. Schafer imported Mexican souvenirs and opened several Mexican themed restaurants.

At its height South of the Border employed 750 workers and more than 250 billboards were posted to draw in tourists. Schafer's $40 million business quickly became I-95's most prominent vacation stop.

My eyes lit up as we drove past the giant sombrero tower. I didn’t see anyone on the lookout tower. In fact, I didn’t see anyone in the park at all. All the rides were stopped and I didn’t see one car in the parking lot.

They must have gone out of business. Steve assured me they hadn’t, but I didn’t believe him.

I plugged in my wireless Internet card and logged onto pedroland.com. I didn’t see hours of operation so I called their 1-800 number. The operator said the park was open and all the rides were operating.

I forgot all about South of the Border until we saw a billboard on our way back: Beach lovers love Pedro’s.

I booted up my computer and did a Google search for South of the Border and learned Schafer died in 2001 at the age of 87 from leukemia.

I saw a few entries that reported South of the Border is now fraying around the edges and cleanliness is a problem. Still, we had to stop to witness this attraction with our own eyes.

Brad Panovich and photographer Jen were riding in Storm Chaser behind us and Steve called to see if they wanted to stop. They agreed and a short time later Storm Chaser was parked beneath the 200-foot giant sombrero.

We took a ride up the glass elevator to the top of the neon painted Sombrero Tower. As we walked around the brim of this huge hat we looked out over the park. Steve pointed out the spinning sombrero ride, which he says was featured in the movie ‘Forces of Nature’ with Sandra Bullock and Ben Affleck.

The movie was released in 1999 and is about a man from Manhattan who is trying to get to Savannah for his wedding.

Affleck and Bullock spend three days filming at the theme park in Dillon, South Carolina. According to one report online, thousands of people showed up to be extras, but only 70 were used. They were put in Mexican garb and used in the background.

South of the Border isn’t what is used to be, but it sure was a great escape after standing in driving rain and winds up to 70 mph. I wouldn’t recommend a special trip to South of the Border, but the next time you’re driving along I-95 look for the billboards. I’m sure you’ll chuckle.