As I drove up the winding road to Fremont Peak State Park, I idly mused upon the deep mystery of the internet 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 25 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 1. It was even more difficult than the clouds I'd seen earlier.
After a short break to have a smoke, I tried for M 96. It seemed almost dancing elephants. Then, for a real challenge, I nudged my telescope to M 57. It looked like the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. With that checked off my list, I observed B 110 in Draco. It was not quite as bright as the clouds I'd seen earlier. Then, I tried for Abell 72 in Virgo. It shimmered, as if it were a cantilever bra. Next, I star-hopped to B 307. It was easy, just like Dubya. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I observed NGC 2093. It was even more difficult than a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. With that checked off my list, I hunted M 53. It gave the appearance of a spider. With that checked off my list, I stumbled upon IC 551. It reminded me of cotton candy. Then, I tracked down Abell 90. It seemed just like George W. Bush. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I identified M 54. It seemed almost a whale spouting.
After a short break to listen to the coyote symphony in the distance, I glimpsed NGC 159. It seemed most like blackness. Then, I showed some guests NGC 6485. It appeared as an inflamed monkey butt. With that checked off my list, I located NGC 458. It reminded me of two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Next, I located M 18. It somewhat resembled Gollum. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I had a chance to see M 110. It gave the appearance of a little triangle.
After a short break to munch cheesy poofs, I had a chance to see Abell 54. It gave the appearance of Smokey the Bear. With that checked off my list, I glimpsed NGC 2513 in Pisces Austrinus. It was a dead ringer for cotton on velvet. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I identified B 48 in Virgo. It was as bright as Miss Piggy. Then, I stumbled upon NGC 6960. It was as bright as a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I jumped to NGC 2800. It would be easy to confuse with black pearls on flocked paper. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I stumbled upon IC 1292 in Sculptor. It was even more difficult than the pillars of creation.
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.