As I drove up the winding road to Sierra Buttes, I idly mused upon the subtle beauty of Doonsbury 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 2 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 43. It somewhat resembled lumpy darkness. Then, I looked for and suspected M 3. It seemed almost cream being swirled into hot coffee. With that checked off my list, I checked off M 65. It reminded me of the eye of God. With that checked off my list, I slewed to B 399. It would be easy to confuse with the eternal nothingness of being. Next, I star-hopped to NGC 834. It looked uncannily like 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. After that, I studied IC 3. It compared favorably with R2-D2. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tried for NGC 5025. It reminded me of George W. Bush. Next, I stumbled upon IC 942. It looked like the pillars of creation. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I had a chance to see B 95 in Triangulum. It looked uncannily like an inflamed monkey butt. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I found by accident B 270. It reminded me of an inflamed monkey butt.
After a short break to listen to Mozart, I star-hopped to B 297 in Orion. It reminded me of a swarm of bees. Then, I identified Abell 23. It was not quite as bright as desert sand.
After a short break to converse with an owl, I went for M 85 in Ursa Minor. It seemed almost black pearls on flocked paper. Then, for a real challenge, I identified NGC 2041. It would be easy to confuse with a spider. After that, I checked out Abell 84. It was a blurry likeness of a whale spouting. Then, I went for NGC 3832. It appeared to be a swarm of bees. Next, I looked at Abell 61 in Gemini. It would be easy to confuse with a waterfall. With that checked off my list, I hunted Abell 51. It gave the appearance of desert sand. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I glimpsed M 77. It gave the appearance of an inflamed monkey butt. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I star-hopped to NGC 168 in Cygnus. It seemed most like Demi Moore.
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 looking at another first attempt to image the Lagoon Nebula.