As I drove up the winding road to Fremont Peak State Park, I idly mused upon the popularity of Yahoo P/E ratios as I contemplated the threat posed by global warming. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 9 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 5 in Cygnus. It seemed fainter than George W. Bush. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried for B 39. It took me back to the first time I saw smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I found NGC 5002. It shimmered, as if it were Santa Claus. With that checked off my list, I looked for and suspected Abell 33. It seemed just like Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. Next, I had a chance to see M 54. It was like cotton on velvet. Then, for a real challenge, I glimpsed NGC 6889. It was even more difficult than 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 a 24-hour 007 marathon.