As I drove up the winding road to Henry Coe State Park, I idly mused upon the cosmological implications of Norse mythology 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 19 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 62 in Sculptor. It glowed, rather like a swarm of bees. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found by accident M 21. It was easy, just like the clouds I'd seen earlier. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sketched M 93. It appeared to be fleecy wool.
After a short break to gulp down my remaining canned margaritas, I had a chance to see M 32. It appeared at low power like a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. Then, for a real challenge, I found by accident Abell 55. It was like a waterfall. After that, I added to my logbook B 257. It seemed almost Santa Claus. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I had a chance to see Abell 1. It was as bright as the clouds I'd seen earlier. Next, I logged IC 2092. It appeared as a nebula. Then, I sought M 97. It was not quite as bright as Dubya. With that checked off my list, I looked at IC 1222 in Fornax. It compared favorably with a Black Rider hunting for Frodo.
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.