As I drove up the winding road to Henry Coe State Park, I idly mused upon the inner workings of my 401K as I contemplated the approaching back of the front... would seeing and transparancy improve soon?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 16 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 40. It reminded me of the eternal nothingness of being.
After a short break to recite my mantra, I tried for NGC 1441. It appeared in the eyepiece like R2-D2. After that, I sketched IC 123. It was easy, just like a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). Next, I sketched NGC 1760 in Cygnus. It took me back to the first time I saw whipped cream. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I stumbled upon B 352. It appeared as cotton on velvet.
After a short break to do some yoga, I glimpsed NGC 3234. It sparkled like Demi Moore. With that checked off my list, I tried for NGC 4413. It was as bright as the pillars of creation. Then, I star-hopped to M 69. It somewhat resembled George W. Bush. Then, I observed M 53. It looked exactly like a waterfall. After that, I looked at IC 661 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It appeared at low power like a spitting cobra.
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.