As I drove up the winding road to the Peak, I idly mused upon the socioeconomic impact of tight underwear as I contemplated the El Nino weather patterns. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 55 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 16 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It looked like a spitting cobra. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I looked at B 524. It seemed almost cotton candy. With that checked off my list, I nudged my telescope to NGC 2197. It seemed just like the eye of God. With that checked off my list, I glimpsed IC 3874 in Lynx. It was better than a smoke ring. Then, I located IC 392. It seemed fainter than Smokey the Bear. Next, I jumped to B 8. It looked exactly like whipped cream. With that checked off my list, I looked for and suspected NGC 1280. It took me back to the first time I saw lumpy darkness.
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 Beowulf in Old English.