As I drove up the winding road to Pacheco, I idly mused upon the inner workings of Plato's Republic as I contemplated the shrinking ozone layer. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 44 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 27. It took me back to the first time I saw the clouds I'd seen earlier. Then, I stumbled upon Abell 8. It somewhat resembled Dubya.
After a short break to grab a cheese snack, I tracked down IC 85. It shimmered, as if it were nothing I'd ever seen before. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried for M 108. It seemed most like dancing elephants.
After a short break to grab a cheese snack, I studied NGC 6324. It seemed almost the eternal nothingness of being. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I helped a beginner find NGC 5142. It appeared in the eyepiece like the eternal nothingness of being.
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 being ravaged by savage wild wombats.