Lumberton, NC Road Trip Stop: South of the Border & Reuniting with Old Friends

Not every stop on our road trip is about national parks or big city adventures—sometimes it’s about nostalgia and reconnecting with the people who make life sweeter. Our time in Lumberton, North Carolina was one of those heart-filling visits, with a mix of quirky roadside fun and quality time with dear friends.

The first reason we chose to stop in Lumberton was that Patrick used to live in North Carolina and had one spot he absolutely had to show me: South of the Border. If you’ve ever driven I-95 through the Carolinas, you know exactly what I’m talking about—it’s impossible to miss with all its giant, colorful billboards leading you in. South of the Border is one of those places that’s a little hoaky and kitschy, but in its own way, totally charming. Honestly, I could see kids losing their minds over the sheer number of knick-knacks, souvenirs, and quirky little shops. We couldn’t resist and ended up buying what I lovingly dubbed a “stoner’s wallet”—you know, those fabric wallets that every stoner kid in high school seemed to have. It is one step away from being a hacky sack. It became the perfect place to store all of our quarters for campground laundry.

This was the only picture I captured from South of the Border. It is not every day you get to see a giant Sombrero that looks like a water tower.

The second (and more important!) reason for stopping in Lumberton was to spend time with our dear friends, Tenille and Arnie. Patrick and Arnie go way back, having served together, and later, Tenille and Arnie even rented our house when we lived in Oklahoma. Over the years, they’ve become some of our favorite people—the kind of friends you can go months without seeing, but when you’re together, it feels like no time has passed. They’re such a genuine, down-to-earth couple, and every time we hang out, we end up with sore cheeks from smiling and belly laughs that leave us out of breath.

Our Lumberton stop might not have been about hiking trails or epic landmarks, but it was about something just as important—shared history, simple joys, and time with friends who feel like family. Those are the moments that make RV life truly unforgettable.