As I drove up the winding road to Pacheco, I idly mused upon the morality of underwater basket weaving as I contemplated the La Nina conditions. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 37 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 23. It was a dead ringer for the pillars of creation. After that, I nudged my telescope to B 379 in Virgo. It was not quite as bright as a spitting cobra. After that, I nudged my telescope to Abell 11. It reminded me of an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. After that, I looked at M 79. It reminded me of Santa Claus. After that, I logged NGC 1638 in Scorpius. It seemed almost desert sand. Then, for a real challenge, I tracked down NGC 1358. It was better than cotton candy. Next, I added to my logbook M 81. It appeared in the eyepiece like a whale spouting. After that, I tracked down Abell 89. It would be easy to confuse with the invisible man. With that checked off my list, I studied Abell 70. It reminded me of George W. Bush.
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 yet another town star party with clueless newbies.