As I drove up the winding road to Sierra Buttes, I idly mused upon the deep mystery of AP Refractors as I contemplated the fleecy clouds, hoping they would clear. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 48 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 52. It appeared at low power like one of Martha Stewart's doilies. After that, I logged B 395. It sparkled like all the other smudges I've ever looked at. Next, I nudged my telescope to IC 408 in Cygnus. It glowed, rather like the last six objects I'd seen. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sketched NGC 2878. It sparkled like an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Next, I looked at IC 2492. It glowed, rather like a whale spouting.
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 looking at another first attempt to image the Lagoon Nebula.