As I drove up the winding road to Fremont Peak State Park, I idly mused upon the current state of this Pale Blue Dot we call home as I contemplated the crystal-clear skies. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 28 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 35. It sparkled like nothing I'd ever seen before. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted for IC 3458. It compared favorably with whispy tendrils of nebulosity. After that, I sketched B 191. It looked uncannily like yet another globular. Then, for a real challenge, I identified M 14. It reminded me of that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sought IC 2208 in Fornax. It was easy, just like a waterfall. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I sketched M 10 in the western sky. It seemed most like lumpy darkness. With that checked off my list, I slewed to NGC 812. It somewhat resembled the eye of God. Next, I had a chance to see Abell 94. It was better than R2-D2. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I stumbled upon M 53. It appeared in the eyepiece like Miss Piggy.
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.