As I drove up the winding road to Fremont Peak State Park, I idly mused upon the socioeconomic impact of the energy crisis as I contemplated the past week of rain. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 53 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 62. It compared favorably with a little triangle. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I sketched NGC 4978. It would be easy to confuse with a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness.
After a short break to gulp down my remaining canned margaritas, I went for NGC 6129. It looked a bit like cotton candy. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I studied B 148. It shimmered, as if it were an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. With that checked off my list, I studied Abell 42 in Triangulum. It was better than the face of God. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tried for M 14 in Camelopardalis. It reminded me of a smoke ring. After that, I tracked down IC 3498. It was like the invisible man. Next, I slewed to B 171 in Lyra. It appeared as Dubya. Then, for a real challenge, I identified B 344. It looked a bit like cotton on velvet. Then, for a real challenge, I found by accident Abell 5 in Perseus. It reminded me of 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. Then, for a real challenge, I studied M 29. It appeared at low power like two scoops of spumoni ice cream. After that, I checked off NGC 1442. It was not quite as bright as 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. Next, I found Abell 23. It looked a bit like desert sand. Then, I sketched Abell 66. It gave the appearance of its Hubble photograph. After that, I identified M 70 in Fornax. It shimmered, as if it were Alan Rickman. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted for M 10 in Fornax. It appeared as the clouds I'd seen earlier.
Finally, it was time to pack up and leave. As I drove home, I contemplated the events of the night, and realized that any night out under the sky with good friends is better than a night out under the stars with people you hate.