As I drove up the winding road to Mount Tamalpais, I idly mused upon the deep mystery of my 401K as I contemplated the fleecy clouds, hoping they would clear. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 54 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 61 in Canis Major. It appeared as the pillars of creation. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I checked out NGC 3775. It looked a bit like a far-away cloud. Then, for a real challenge, I found by accident NGC 4392. It reminded me of George W. Bush.
After a short break to converse with an owl, I star-hopped to B 280 in Scorpius. It looked uncannily like Dubya. After that, I logged IC 1997 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It appeared as a cantilever bra. With that checked off my list, I looked at M 2. It looked exactly like the exhaust from a diesel Suburban.
After a short break to recite my mantra, I sought IC 2288. It appeared in the eyepiece like smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked for and suspected Abell 49. It was better than a UFO.
After a short break to have a smoke, I sought Abell 15. It reminded me of nothing I'd ever seen before.
After a short break to enjoy a nutritious snack, I tried NGC 3002. It somewhat resembled Smokey the Bear. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked at B 511. It appeared as the pillars of creation. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tried Abell 2. It compared favorably with fleecy wool.
After a short break to cut some cheese, I nudged my telescope to IC 1715. It seemed fainter than a little triangle. Next, I had a chance to see Abell 55. It shimmered, as if it were a whale spouting. After that, I logged NGC 4285. It appeared as Santa Claus. After that, I slewed to Abell 25. It was a blurry likeness of the last six objects I'd seen. Next, I checked off M 19. It was like a whale spouting. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted for Abell 92 in Ursa Major. It appeared in the eyepiece like blackness. Then, for a real challenge, I added to my logbook B 223 in Virgo. It sparkled like a spitting cobra. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found IC 3265. It seemed fainter than the exhaust from a diesel Suburban.
After a short break to listen to the coyote symphony in the distance, I hunted for NGC 2847. It sparkled like a spider. Then, for a real challenge, I slewed to B 535. It was not quite as bright as R2-D2. With that checked off my list, I showed some guests IC 3986. It reminded me of a whale spouting. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted IC 306. It seemed most like Dubya.
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 reading observing reports.