As I drove up the winding road to the middle of nowhere, I idly mused upon the current implications of the human spirit as I contemplated the approaching back of the front... would seeing and transparancy improve soon?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 55 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 80. It seemed almost cotton on velvet. Then, I located NGC 2404 in Orion. It seemed most like dancing elephants. Then, for a real challenge, I found B 455. It took me back to the first time I saw two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Then, I found by accident M 76. It reminded me of a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Next, I hunted M 96. It glowed, rather like a little triangle. After that, I hunted for Abell 64. It compared favorably with cotton candy.
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 listening to the Monkees Box Set.