Karen...I was also in Key West two years ago for the holidays...hanging on Duval earlier in the evening on New Year's, but left for a more 'private' party before it got really crazy! Congrats on your nuptials...hope it's blissful!
SB...no, Gran is back with her maker...died several years ago. But I have many fond memories of visiting her down on the bayouo...a whole different way of life than up north! I don't know anything about the history of MardiGras...only that it was a blast!