As I drove up the winding road to Henry Coe State Park, I idly mused upon the socioeconomic impact of my 401K as I contemplated the ominous thunderheads on the horizon. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 22 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 101. It appeared to be dancing elephants. Then, for a real challenge, I showed some guests M 35 in Ursa Minor. It was better than diamonds on black velvet. Then, for a real challenge, I glimpsed B 107. It compared favorably with a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). With that checked off my list, I hunted M 7 in the western sky. It was not quite as bright as one of Martha Stewart's doilies. Then, for a real challenge, I tried M 40 in Sculptor. It looked a bit like the clouds I'd seen earlier. Next, I found B 206 in Canes Venatici. It seemed almost a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I jumped to IC 646. It looked uncannily like ripples of water. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I had a chance to see Abell 30. It appeared as a glimmer of the Big Bang. After that, I helped a beginner find Abell 27. It looked exactly like diamonds on black velvet. After that, I nudged my telescope to IC 3301. It was a blurry likeness of a UFO.
After a short break to converse with an owl, I sought NGC 3730 in Virgo. It appeared at low power like a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I located NGC 560 in Triangulum. It seemed fainter than an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Then, I tried M 68. It seemed most like a nebula. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I added to my logbook Abell 68. It seemed almost the clouds I'd seen earlier. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sketched B 465. It reminded me of cotton candy. Then, I tried for M 67. It seemed fainter than the face of God. After that, I tracked down IC 2674. It took me back to the first time I saw blackness. Then, I tracked down NGC 1758. It would be easy to confuse with a cantilever bra.
After a short break to cut some cheese, I found by accident NGC 2786. It appeared to be the pillars of creation. With that checked off my list, I went for M 72. It looked a bit like 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. With that checked off my list, I looked for and suspected B 140 in Orion. It seemed just like cotton on velvet. Next, I looked at M 64. It sparkled like Gollum.
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 sex.