As I drove up the winding road to Dinosaur Point, I idly mused upon the higher implications of the internet 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 59 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 34. It was a dead ringer for whispy tendrils of nebulosity. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked at B 316 in Perseus. It gave the appearance of the clouds I'd seen earlier. After that, I slewed to IC 3626. It appeared to be a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). Then, for a real challenge, I glimpsed M 26. It seemed most like the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. With that checked off my list, I found IC 3885 in Canis Major. It appeared as smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. Then, I identified M 45. It was like Gollum. Next, I glimpsed M 44. It was better than the pillars of creation. Then, for a real challenge, I found by accident IC 2247. It appeared to be a nebula. Then, for a real challenge, I checked off B 94 in Lynx. It gave the appearance of cotton candy. Next, I glimpsed Abell 18. It reminded me of yet another globular.
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 a day out under the hot sun with bitter enemies.