Happy Happy Happy in Louisiana

Posted in Birds, Louisiana, Road Trip, RVing, State Parks, Tourist Attractions, WildlifeTagged , , , , , , , ,

“Happy, Happy, Happy” – Phil Robertson

After almost six weeks exploring the great state of Texas it was time to head east toward home. We were sad to leave Texas but happy knowing we would soon be home. Our first stop in Louisiana was a place where we had camped on another trip four years ago. I had such fond memories of our first visit there I’ve been looking for an excuse to go back. I even made reservations for site 12, the same one we had camped in before.  With a deck and a fishing dock right in front of the site, it was a perfect place to chill for a couple of days.

Lake Bistineau State Park is located about 20 miles from Bossier City. I remembered how friendly one of the rangers at the park was when we first visited and I was happy to see the same ranger greeted us at the office and checked us in. I have to say he is one of the nicest, friendliest, and most helpful park staff member we have ever met. We had a beautiful view of the lake from our deck and spent a lot of time just chillin’ and watching the herons and egrets fishing in the shallow water along the banks of the lake.

Great Egret in Lake Bistineau
Great Egret in Lake Bistineau
Great Blue Heron at Lake Bistineau
Great Blue Heron at Lake Bistineau

I was way behind on doing laundry and was happy to find a small laundry right there in the park. And it was free! There was also WiFi at the park office and I could do a little catching up on the blog while we were there. We did a little shopping in Bossier City and got our fix of more Cajun Food at Shane’s Restaurant. Crawfish Etouffee and some Boudin to go and we were happy!

But it wasn’t all work, shopping and eating. We’re pretty good at sitting and chillin’.

Lake Bistineau
Lake Bistineau
Turtles at Lake Bistineau
Turtles at Lake Bistineau

Did I mention we had the campground almost all to ourselves? There were only two other campers there the first night, and the next two nights there was only one other camper in the park. Perfect!

But eventually we had to move on. When we made the decision to go home via I-20 we could not miss a stop in West Monroe, Louisiana to see the headquarters of Duck Commander.

Duck Commander was established in 1972 by Phil Robertson. After an outstanding football career in college Phil had an opportunity to play professional football in the NFL. He turned down the offer because he didn’t love football. He loved hunting and fishing and wanted to make a living doing what he loved. He was unhappy with the duck calls that were available at the time and in 1972 started selling his own design.

Phil is now retired and his son Willie Robertson is now the CEO of the family run company and Duck Commander products are sold worldwide. Members of the Robertson family star in the popular A&E reality show “Duck Dynasty.”

Happy Happy Happy – a favorite Phil Robertson quote
World’s Largest Duck Call celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Duck Commander
Carving of Phil Robertson, founder of Duck Commander
The Duck Commander Bus
Duck Commander Headquarters, about 3 blocks south of I-20 in West Monroe, LA

Lake Bistineau State Park is located near Doyline, Louisiana. The sites have paved water and electric hook ups, pads, picnic table, and fire pit. We had a premium site with a wooden deck overlooking the lake. There are several fishing docks located in the campground. The park also has a boat launch.

To visit Duck Commander we stayed at Ouachita RV Park in Monroe, Louisiana. The full hookup park had gravel pull through sites with free WiFi that actually worked, a nice laundry room, a meeting room, and a small pond.

21 thoughts on “Happy Happy Happy in Louisiana”

  1. What a fantastic site! How great to be able to sit quietly on the lake and watch nature at work:) Not having a lot of campers around sounds like heaven. That is a beautiful reflection photo of the cypress trees. Glad you had some time to relax:)

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    1. Thank you! One afternoon I just sat out on the little fishing pier watching the world go by. The cypress trees were beautiful. I never get tired of seeing them.

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  3. What a lovely state park and nice place to sit and relax a bit. Love the Duck Dynasty folks, and I also read Phil’s book. It was really good, highly recommend. Glad you got to make a stopover there. Safe travels!

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    1. Thanks! I get the feeling not many people traveling on I-20 venture off the highway to Lake Bistineau but it is really worth a stop. I really enjoyed Phil’s book, too.

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  4. Hi Beth, your photos are gorgeous! The herons and the reflection shots are great! Being from the diverse state of Louisiana, I can identify with everything you have said; the people are the friendliest anywhere, the food is “to die for” and the beautiful waterways, lakes, streams and bayous are just beautiful and teaming with wildlife. Thanks for sharing and I am so glad you enjoyed yet another visit there! Happy Trails home!!

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  6. Reflections, gorgeous birds, relaxation and Duck Dynasty headquarters. You are livin’ !!
    Glad to see you are making it closer to home. Safe travels!

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  9. Great photos Beth. Sounds like you guys headed east just before the tornadoes hit Texas (I hope!) Drive safely, kiddo. The weather has been wild this week!

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