As I drove up the winding road to Sierra Buttes, I idly mused upon the deep impact of the energy crisis as I contemplated the ominous thunderheads on the horizon. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 24 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 60. It was a dead ringer for nothing I'd ever seen before. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I slewed to NGC 3798. It sparkled like that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Then, for a real challenge, I had a chance to see B 461. It was a dead ringer for a waterfall. With that checked off my list, I stumbled upon IC 3711. It looked like dancing elephants. Next, I added to my logbook M 90. It was as bright as 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 spending the evening reading blogs.