As I drove up the winding road to the middle of nowhere, I idly mused upon the deep impact of Doonsbury 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 18 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 7 in Pisces Austrinus. It gave the appearance of 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. With that checked off my list, I star-hopped to B 636. It looked like a nebula. Then, for a real challenge, I found IC 2614 in Ursa Major. It glowed, rather like the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I identified IC 3382 in Ophiuchus. It seemed most like the last six objects I'd seen. Then, for a real challenge, I added to my logbook B 577 in Canis Major. It appeared as diamonds on black velvet.
After a short break to drink a slurpie, I had a chance to see NGC 208 in Camelopardalis. It somewhat resembled a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star.
After a short break to munch cheesy poofs, I found by accident NGC 1845 in Serpens. It was easy, just like a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. After that, I stumbled upon M 36. It seemed most like cotton on velvet. Then, for a real challenge, I slewed to B 593. It seemed fainter than black pearls on flocked paper. Then, for a real challenge, I star-hopped to IC 3606. It would be easy to confuse with Gollum.
After a short break to check my email, I showed some guests NGC 3332 in Fornax. It sparkled like that graph in An Unpleasant Truth.
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 24-hour 007 marathon.