As I drove up the winding road to Twin Peaks, I idly mused upon the current state 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 19 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 94. It appeared as whispy tendrils of nebulosity. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I helped a beginner find M 12 in Lyra. It seemed fainter than a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. Next, I found by accident NGC 6287. It looked a bit like a glimmer of the Big Bang. Then, for a real challenge, I accidentally located B 574. It was better than a waterfall. Next, I slewed to NGC 6276. It seemed almost a cantilever bra. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I studied Abell 10. It was a blurry likeness of dancing elephants. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I accidentally located Abell 73 in the western sky. It appeared at low power like Smokey the Bear. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried for Abell 33. It appeared as cotton on velvet. With that checked off my list, I accidentally located Abell 16. It was better than black pearls on flocked paper. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I accidentally located IC 1004 in Fornax. It reminded me of Miss Piggy.
After a short break to chat, I slewed to NGC 1723 in Lyra. It was a blurry likeness of spent coals, faintly glowing. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I checked out NGC 4223. It reminded me of a smoke ring.
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 root canal.