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Louisiana State Park Road Trip Planning

Louisiana State Parks: 21 reasons to love the Bayou State

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Louisiana State Park RoadtripI was scrolling through emails one hot and steamy June 2018 afternoon. You know how it is, thumbing through endless email subject lines that you have no idea came to be in your inbox. (Side note: When did I sign up for so many food and animal rescue email subscriptions?) I landed on an email that I actually open and enjoy each time that I receive it. The LouisianaTravel.com Ambassadors: Bayou Krewe Newsletter is fun to read about what’s going on in Louisiana from other people who love the state as much as I do. In this particular email, there was a “June Challenge” which suggested making a quick road trip or an entire weekend camping with friends at any one of the 21 State Parks. “21 State Parks? Hmmm . . . I want to see them all!” was the thought that went through my head that Friday evening. Louisiana State Park Road Trip PlanningSo, I went to my desk and started plotting out my “21 State Park, One-weekend Road-trip” that I thought I was planning to take in a few weeks. 29 hours and 32 minutes were all I needed to cover the 1456 miles. I went to bed thinking that I may wake up in the morning to start my adventure. That’s exactly what I did.

Starting out Saturday morning, my plan was to hit every State Park in Louisiana by Sunday evening. It was mid-afternoon on Saturday when I realized that wasn’t going to happen. Oh well, I decided to see what I could and start again the next weekend. Here  are the 21 reasons to love the Bayou State of Louisiana, in the order for which I visited:

Reason #1: North Toledo Bend State Park

Reason #2: South Toledo Bend State Park

Reason #3: Sam Houston Jones State Park

Reason #4: Palmetto Island State Park

Reason #5: Cypermore Point State Park

Reason #6: Lake Fausse Pointe State Park

Reason #7: Grand Isle State Park

Reason #8: Bayou Segnette State Park

Reason #9: St. Bernard State Park

Reason #10: Fountainebleau State Park

Reason #11: Fairview-Riverside State Park

Reason #12: Bogue Chitto State Park

Reason #13: Tickfaw State Park

Tickfaw State Park

Reason #14: Chicot State Park

Reason #15: Lake Bistineau State Park

Reason #16: Jimmie Davis State Park

Reason #17: Lake Bruin State Park

Reason #18: Poverty Point Reservoir State Park

Reason #19: Chemin-A-Haut State Park

Reason #20: Lake D’arbonne State Park

Reason #21: Lake Claiborne State Park

I’ve had many people ask me which was my favorite, and honestly, I can not pick a favorite. I was so stunned by the beauty of each and every park. The care that has been taken to keep our State Parks in good shape was surprising to me. The other reason that I can’t pick a favorite is that two-weekend road trips are not near enough time to find the real gems in the pack. I’m making it a priority to go back and spend more time at each park.

Robin Williams - member of the Bayou KreweIf you are looking for a quick road trip, visiting a Louisiana State Park is an inexpensive way to go. Entry fee is only $3 per person. Camping fees vary in ranges, so make sure you check out the website for each park. When you go, here’s what to remember:

  • Bring fishing gear
  • Pack a Lunch
  • Wear appropriate shoes
  • Sunblock!
  • Create a travel journal to make notes & add photos (paper or electronic)
  • Tag your visits on social media using #OnlyLouisiana and #BayouKrewe (sign up to be a Bayou Krewe Ambassador)

Thank you for visiting Louisiana State Parks

That Just Happened!!
Robin Williams

Happy Blogday to Jada

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Congrats to Jada Durden on the first anniversary of her “Loving This Life” blog. I was so excited to share in her celebration at Ernest’s Orleans Restaurant. I aspire to be in the same blogosphere realm as Jada one day.   

    Follow Jada:

Jada Durden:   Facebook   |   Website   | Twitter

That just happened,

Robin Williams,

Marketing Maven at Holiday Lanes

I have Jada privileges

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I have Jada privileges. And by “Jada Privileges”, I mean I get to do all the fun stuff when Jada Durden calls. If you don’t know Jada, I’m afraid you are just not a cool kid.

To describe Jada as a blogger would be a disservice. Jada is a blogger, but more importantly she is a connecter of people. She is on a mission (like me) to dispel the idea that there is nothing to do in Shreveport-Bossier City. Jada was tired of hearing it and decided to start making a list of things to do in the community.  Her blog “Lovin’ This Life” sparked. From there, the Shreveport Times asked her to publish that list in the ACE entertainment section. History! Recently Jada’s blog was listed as a blog to follow on the Travel Louisiana website, which shares information about travel and tourism in the state of Louisiana. This is huge!  As a person who has tried to make the same impact, I am so honored to know that Jada is “doing it” with “Lovin’ this Life“. 

Loving This Life! has partnered with the Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau to provide one lucky winner a fantastic Staycation adventure in Shreveport-Bossier City. Be sure to check out and sign up for Jada’s “Loving This City-Giveaway” contest. Contest ends today.

Today, Jada was being interviewed by Clay Ostarly at KSLA about the influence her blog is having on our community. She asked a few of her friends to come out and support her. This is where I felt the “Jada Privilege”.  I feel like a cool kid when I get to be a part of her group. 

I’m really glad that Jada is sharing the love of our community and our state. Keep it up Jada! 

Follow Jada:

Jada Durden:   Facebook   |   Website  | Twitter

That just happened,

Robin Williams,

Marketing Maven at Holiday Lanes

I’m changing the title of this blog

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Travel South USA Opening Reception with Meg Davenport and Jada Durden

Travel South USA Opening Reception with Meg Davenport and Jada Durden

Do you ever start something and never finish it? That’s how I feel about my blogs. I have been neglecting both lately. I’ve realized that the neglect of this blog is because I do so much more than just volunteer with the awesome Bossier Chamber of Commerce and the title was pigeon-holing me. I’ve decided to change the name of my blog from “My Time as a Bossier Chamber Diplomat” to “That Just Happened“. I’m hoping this will allow me to share more about all of the activities for which I participate. This blog will now celebrate and promote good stuff going on in the Northwest Louisiana community while I represent as Holiday Lanes‘ Marketing Maven.

If you subscribe to my blog, please be patient with me. I am going to try to back-post several events that I want included on my blog and that means you may get more emails than normal.

Sharing the Holiday Lanes message with the Bossier Chamber Board of Directors

Sharing the Holiday Lanes message with the Bossier Chamber Board of Directors

Working for Holiday Lanes is such a fun job. Melanie Coleman (managing member/proprietor) understands the importance of being in and supporting the community. She told me just today, “we are about to have the funnest year EVER”. This is exciting to me because as a “creative” it isn’t always easy to conform to a normal 9-5 position. Thank goodness she gives me lots of opportunities to work around that.

Showing my two posters displayed at the

Showing my two posters displayed at the “See America” Exhibit at the Meadows Museum in Shreveport, LA

The reason that I feel the need to share a blog about events going on in our area is because I have this really goofy pet peeve. When I hear someone say (in a whiny voice) “There’s nothing to do around here”, I want to prove them wrong! So with that, I’m going to share, share, share.

I hope to see you around NW Louisiana,

Robin Williams,
Marketing Maven at Holiday Lanes