As I drove up the winding road to Fremont Peak State Park, I idly mused upon the deep mystery of astrology as I contemplated the El Nino weather patterns. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 30 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 100 in Gemini. It sparkled like a nebula. Next, I tried IC 2229. It shimmered, as if it were lumpy darkness. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I accidentally located IC 3284. It compared favorably with a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. With that checked off my list, I stumbled upon IC 2526. It glowed, rather like spent coals, faintly glowing. Then, I glimpsed B 644. It looked a bit like 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. After that, I showed some guests IC 2845 in the western sky. It was like the last six objects I'd seen. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I went for IC 1854. It was like ripples of water. Then, I studied M 48 in that confusing part of Virgo. It compared favorably with a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. Then, for a real challenge, I helped a beginner find B 238. It seemed just like the eternal nothingness of being. Then, for a real challenge, I found by accident M 109. It was not quite as bright as ripples of water.
After a short break to have a smoke, I tried for B 102. It seemed most like Alan Rickman.
After a short break to do some yoga, I checked out Abell 70. It shimmered, as if it were a smoke ring. Then, for a real challenge, I tracked down Abell 13. It seemed most like spent coals, faintly glowing.
After a short break to chat, I observed Abell 16 in Corvus. It compared favorably with Dubya. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tracked down M 66. It seemed just like Dubya. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tried for NGC 4945 in Septans. It was better than lumpy darkness. Then, for a real challenge, I showed some guests IC 2727. It looked a bit like Demi Moore. Then, for a real challenge, I stumbled upon M 57. It shimmered, as if it were a swarm of bees. Then, for a real challenge, I sought NGC 553 in Fornax. It was a blurry likeness of a glimmer of the Big Bang.
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 stale peeps.