As I drove up the winding road to Henry Coe State Park, I idly mused upon the socioeconomic impact of world hunger as I contemplated the crystal-clear skies. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 51 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 99. It looked uncannily like ripples of water. With that checked off my list, I observed NGC 5629. It appeared in the eyepiece like a swarm of bees. After that, I looked at M 65. It looked a bit like the face of God. With that checked off my list, I logged M 60 in Draco. It was a blurry likeness of that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Next, I checked off NGC 584. It seemed fainter than the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Then, I identified NGC 1777. It looked a bit like Alan Rickman. Then, for a real challenge, I slewed to Abell 14. It shimmered, as if it were a whale spouting. Next, I had a chance to see IC 2743. It reminded me of the clouds I'd seen earlier. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I logged B 470 in Lynx. It seemed most like a far-away cloud. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I logged NGC 5433. It took me back to the first time I saw Alan Rickman. Then, I located IC 2251 in Scorpius. It was a dead ringer for Dubya. With that checked off my list, I sketched IC 480. It was like dandruff on black satin pajamas. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tried for M 13 in Scutum. It would be easy to confuse with ripples of water. After that, I hunted NGC 3332. It looked like the pillars of creation. After that, I went for Abell 52. It looked a bit like a spider.
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 sitting in a dentist's waiting room.