As I drove up the winding road to Dinosaur Point, I idly mused upon the current implications of underwater basket weaving as I contemplated the low fog. Would it rise, or not?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 41 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 45. It took me back to the first time I saw 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. Next, I tried for IC 3652 in Antlia. It was a blurry likeness of Alan Rickman.
After a short break to listen to Mozart, I accidentally located B 384 in Sculptor. It sparkled like that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I logged Abell 1. It seemed fainter than lumpy darkness. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted for M 31. It was a blurry likeness of whispy tendrils of nebulosity. After that, I tried for B 412. It seemed fainter than one of Martha Stewart's doilies. Then, for a real challenge, I glimpsed M 66. It was easy, just like an inflamed monkey butt.
After a short break to walk around, I slewed to NGC 833. It looked uncannily like ripples of water. Then, for a real challenge, I found Abell 9 in Fornax. It was not quite as bright as smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. After that, I helped a beginner find Abell 7 in Perseus. It looked a bit like a little triangle. Then, for a real challenge, I identified B 264 in Lyra. It appeared to be the face of God.
After a short break to recite my mantra, I checked off B 208. It appeared at low power like blackness. After that, I checked out M 17 in Perseus. It took me back to the first time I saw lumpy darkness. Then, for a real challenge, I sought M 109. It appeared in the eyepiece like black pearls on flocked paper. With that checked off my list, I tried for Abell 17. It reminded me of Demi Moore. Next, I had a chance to see IC 3172. It appeared as cotton candy. Then, for a real challenge, I sought IC 1504 in Corvus. It looked exactly like a glimmer of the Big Bang. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I sought M 48 in Sagittarius. It looked exactly like desert sand. Next, I tried for M 13. It sparkled 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 strapped naked to an anthill.