As I drove up the winding road to Dinosaur Point, I idly mused upon the impact upon modern astronomy of my life's work as I contemplated the approaching back of the front... would seeing and transparancy improve soon?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 29 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 13 in Gemini. It was a blurry likeness of the last six objects I'd seen. Then, for a real challenge, I found by accident B 155 in Hydra. It looked like a smoke ring. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted for Abell 56 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It seemed just like an inflamed monkey butt. Next, I helped a beginner find Abell 6 in Scutum. It appeared in the eyepiece like one of Martha Stewart's doilies. Next, I hunted M 94 in Lepus. It compared favorably with cotton on velvet. Then, for a real challenge, I nudged my telescope to M 40. It seemed just like cotton candy. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I nudged my telescope to M 37 in Gemini. It somewhat resembled a nebula.
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 reading observing reports.