As I drove up the winding road to Henry Coe State Park, I idly mused upon the current state of Plato's Republic as I contemplated the shrinking ozone layer. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 10 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 81. It glowed, rather like one of Martha Stewart's doilies. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I checked off B 546. It looked a bit like a little triangle. Next, I looked for and suspected B 115. It sparkled like the pillars of creation. Then, I looked at B 252 in Sculptor. It looked like lumpy darkness. With that checked off my list, I nudged my telescope to IC 732 in Cygnus. It glowed, rather like a cantilever bra. Then, I nudged my telescope to B 65. It was a dead ringer for the eye of God. Then, I accidentally located M 35 in Sagittarius. It compared favorably with Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. Then, for a real challenge, I glimpsed B 496. It looked like all the other smudges I've ever looked at.
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 kick in the pants with a copper toed boot.