Krewes of Muses, Babylon, Hermes, Endymion, and Thoth {Mardi Gras 2020}

The lead-in to the big Mardi Gras weekend was very different this year. I decided not to go out to Nyx on Wednesday the 19th, and I'm very glad for that. Someone was unfortunately killed by a float, and the whole parade was stopped, eventually shut down, and rerouted back to their den. So very sad, for so many people, but especially for the family of the victim and for the krewe members who had looked forward to their ride all year long.

The next day, just as I was preparing to head down to Muses, I got word that all three Thursday parades had been postponed on account of high winds leftover from storms that moved through earlier in the day. They rescheduled two of them (Muses and Babylon) to roll on Friday in the late afternoon, just before the usual three Friday night parades. That made FIVE parades. In one night. Wow.

Nola and Nopsi weren't available to watch the boys on Friday, so I packed us all into the car and we headed down to Lizzie and Doug's spot on the Avenue. Kenny joined us after work. Only Doug, the Brownies, and their au pair Vera were out there; Lizzie actually rode in Muses for the first time. We also saw Dana and Claire for a bit; they walked from their spot to visit before things got rolling.

Muses 2020 was a very different experience than what it should have been. There were only floats; no marching groups or bands were allowed to participate because of the rescheduling. I guess they were trying to cut down on time so that all five parades could pass! I knew so many people in Muses this year, and it was quite chaotic trying to get their attention, especially on back-to-back floats. They passed by SO fast, but I did go home with 6 shoes. Kenny and the boys stayed for all of Muses then went home. I stayed through Babylon and Hermes (hanging out with Vera) and then left. What a night!

Endymion Saturday was absolutely gorgeous. We went out to Dave's office on Canal in the early afternoon as we usually do. The kids ran around and played until parade time. It rolled early again this year, getting to us around quarter to five. It's such a pretty parade, especially with the setting sun in the background.

Jeff rode again this year; he and Jay and Spo were on float 26. We crossed to the neutral ground side, saw him with no issues, and walked back to Dave's office to see what he gave us: a bunch of signature Endymion beads and "Minecraft"-like swords for both boys. They were pumped.

A few floats later, the parade stopped. Then people started getting alerts on their phones: someone else had been struck by a float and killed. So unreal, for this to happen twice in one season. Once we heard the news, we packed up and headed out to try to beat some of the traffic. After all, we had to do it all again the next morning!

Thoth Sunday was another beautiful day. We met up with Bridget, Brian, Greg, Ashley, and their families out at our usual spot on Henry Clay near the very beginning. We had our customary Popeye's lunch, we saw Fred with the Stompers again, Steve marched with a special LSU Tiger Band group, and we caught tons of stuff, including things from all of the people we knew riding (Dr. Mac, Ryan, Scott, Scott, Ryan, etc.).

Thoth was our last parade for 2020. We usually go out to Rex on Mardi Gras Day, but we had other plans this year: we took a super fun trip with the whole Krewe! However, I did see a stunning Mardi Gras Day sunset picture on Facebook that's worth sharing.

Also, my Mardi Gras display is getting more and more crowded with each passing year!

Our trip to Great Wolf Lodge Georgia coming up next :)