As I drove up the winding road to Twin Peaks, I idly mused upon the popularity of television as I contemplated the approaching chlorofluorocarbons ... would it be warmer tonight?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 39 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 68. It appeared at low power like blackness. After that, I tracked down NGC 1661. It was like dandruff on black satin pajamas. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I identified NGC 4354 in Corvus. It was even more difficult than an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. With that checked off my list, I checked out NGC 6291. It reminded me of the face of God. After that, I logged M 49. It was easy, just like cream being swirled into hot coffee. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked at Abell 6 in Sculptor. It was easy, just like that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Then, I sketched Abell 77 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It looked exactly like a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I went for NGC 6109. It seemed most like cream being swirled into hot coffee. After that, I hunted for B 384 in Triangulum. It reminded me of a UFO. Then, for a real challenge, I slewed to B 15. It was better than the last six objects I'd seen. After that, I located B 557. It sparkled like black pearls on flocked paper.
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 spending a day at the mall with my teenage daughter.