Before Margaritaville became something more to us…

before the return trips, the music, and everything that followed…

there was just one visit.

At the time, it felt simple.

A road trip to visit friends.

It Started at Indy 500 Weekend

In May of 2022, during our annual Indy 500 weekend camp at our home in Speedway, Indiana, our good friends Alan and Carie shared some big news.

They had sold their home in Ohio.

They were living in their Airstream.

And they were building a new home in Latitude Margaritaville in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

At the time, it sounded exciting… but also a little hard to picture.

Margaritaville?

We didn’t really know what that meant. We have heard Jimmy Buffett’s music here and there, of course the most famous songs. And a few from favorite movies. But that is far from the Parrothead culture, as his fans are known.

But we knew this—when friends make a move like that, you go visit.

🚗 A Different Kind of Road Trip

By October of 2023, we had a plan.

Since the fall of 2022, we had started experimenting with car camping in our Toyota RAV4. It was a different style of travel for us—simpler, more flexible, and perfect for shoulder seasons when the weather was just right.

We packed up our setup:

• Luno air mattress (custom fit for the RAV4)
• Privacy curtain for the windshield
• Window screens for airflow
• Napier Cove shelter for shade and rain protection
• Soft rooftop carrier for gear

It was a far cry from our travel trailer days—but that was part of the appeal.

Just us, the road, and whatever came next.

Heading South — September 30, 2023

We left early Saturday morning, heading toward Tennessee for our first overnight stay at a Hipcamp in Newport.

Along the way, we made our first stop at Buc-ee’s.

It was… an experience.

Everything about it was impressive—the food, the store, the scale—but the crowds were overwhelming. Shoulder-to-shoulder in places. It was one of those stops where you’re glad you went once… but that was probably enough.

🌲 First Night: Steutz Mountain Retreat, Tennessee

Our first night brought us to a quiet, wooded Hipcamp—Steutz Mountain Retreat.

It was peaceful, private, and a perfect introduction to this new style of travel.

Our site even had a covered structure—just in case of rain—and a rustic but surprisingly nice private bathhouse with a tankless hot water heater and corrugated metal shower.

Better than many state park setups we’ve seen.

The night was dark. Really dark.

And sometime in the middle of the night, some determined creature managed to get into the trash can despite the precautions.

We woke briefly… listened… and then drifted back to sleep.

Just another moment on the road.

✈️ Day Two — Greenville and Columbia

Sunday brought us farther south.

We stopped in Greenville, South Carolina for lunch at Runway Café, a place we recognized from Restaurant Impossible. It’s always fun visiting spots you’ve seen on TV—and even better when they’re still thriving.

The staff was excited to talk about their experience on the show, and the food absolutely delivered.

(Though like many roadside favorites, it wouldn’t last forever—it closed in 2025.)

Later that evening, we made a sweet stop at Duck Donuts in Columbia. Maple bacon and apple cobbler donuts… not a bad way to end a travel day.

🌙 Second Night: Piper Pond Hipcamp

That night, we stayed at another Hipcamp—Under the Trees at Piper Pond.

We were greeted by our host, their dogs (including Piper), and a group of very friendly ducks.

The setting was quiet and peaceful… until the automatic fish feeder went off and the pond suddenly came alive with splashing fish.

Unexpected—but memorable.

🎶 A Roadside Connection — Orangeburg

On Monday, we made one more meaningful stop before arriving.

In Orangeburg, we met up with Ryan and Pam Morse. Pat had connected with Ryan through their shared love of Journey, and we had seen him perform as the lead singer in the tribute band Resurrection, with impeccable vocals in homage to Steve Perry.

It’s always special when road trips connect you with people beyond just places.

After some great conversation and lunch…

it was time.

🌴 Arrival in Margaritaville

We pulled into Latitude Margaritaville and passed through the gatehouse.

Everything felt… different.

We made our way to Alan and Carie’s home, and after nearly a year and a half, it was great to see them again.

Alan greeted us with a big smile and an even bigger welcome:

“Welcome to Paradise!”

And not long after, as he showed us around and talked about their new life there, he said something that stuck with us:

“What’s not to love?”

At the time, we smiled.

We enjoyed it.

But we didn’t fully understand it yet.

🍹 First Taste of the Lifestyle

Our first stop?

Latitude Bar & Chill—known simply as the “B & C.”

It was our introduction to Margaritaville life:

• Relaxed atmosphere
• Good food
• Easy conversation
• No rush

The next day, Alan and Carie gave us a full tour.

🏝️ Exploring Margaritaville

We visited the Latitude Lake Club:

• Adirondack chairs overlooking the water
• Kayaks and canoes
• Game rooms and gathering spaces

We saw our first alligator on property—quickly learning that they’re just part of the landscape.

Then came the model homes. Names like Breeze, Coconut, Jamaica, Trinidad, Dreamsicle. Each one colorful, coastal, and thoughtfully designed. Some with private pools that felt like their own little escape.

We toured the Town Square:

• Paradise Pool
• Fins Up! Fitness Center
• Barkaritaville
• The Clayground
• Last Mango Theatre

It was impressive.

Fun.

Different.

🚗 Exploring Beyond — Myrtle Beach & Coligny

Midweek, we took a drive up to Myrtle Beach—just to cruise.

That’s something we’ve always loved.

We revisited familiar places from past family trips, blending old memories with new ones.

We stopped at South of the Border—quiet for the season—but still full of that classic roadside charm. We even picked up a few pieces that would later find their way into our home décor.

At the time, we didn’t realize how much that would matter.

We also spent time at Coligny Beach, walking, browsing shops, and just taking it all in.

💭 The Conversation We Didn’t Expect

Toward the end of the week, Alan encouraged us to consider something we hadn’t seriously thought about.

“Why not move here? Follow your dream!”

It was exciting to think about. But our dream? No. It was their dream. And while Margaritaville was all the wonderful things…our dreams were in the southwest. Route 66. The Mother Road. Not South Carolina.

But…we looked at models again.

Measured rooms.

Talked through possibilities.

But reality was there too:

• Family in Indiana
• A new granddaughter arriving soon
• A home we had just remodeled
• Financial realities

It didn’t quite add up.

Not then.

🚗 Heading Home

On October 6, we said our goodbyes.

And just like that, we were back on the road.

We stopped at Stuckey’s—always a classic—and picked up some of their signature pecan treats, along with a bit of nostalgia.

That night, we car camped again in Dalton, Georgia at Old Salem Campground, overlooking the lake.

The next day brought us through Monticello and Juliette, Georgia, revisiting filming locations from My Cousin Vinny and Fried Green Tomatoes—two more pieces of Americana woven into the trip.

By the final night, we opted for a hotel in Ringgold before making the uneventful drive home.

🌅 Looking Back

At the time, this was just a visit.

A road trip.

A chance to see friends and experience something new.

We enjoyed it.

We appreciated it.

But we didn’t fully understand it yet.

Alan had asked:

“What’s not to love?”

It would take more trips… more time… and a deeper connection to finally answer that question.

🧭 Route Summary

Indiana → Tennessee → South Carolina → Hilton Head Island → Georgia → Indiana

Photo Gallery

🔗 Related Links

• Finding Our Own Margaritaville: A Road Trip Story That Changed Us
• Next Post: Returning to Margaritaville (April 2025)
• Future: One Month in Margaritaville
• Related: My Cousin Vinny filming locations
• Related: Fried Green Tomatoes filming locations