As I drove up the winding road to Henry Coe State Park, I idly mused upon the popularity of Plato's Republic as I contemplated the low fog. Would it rise, or not?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 17 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 106 in Scutum. It was even more difficult than that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Then, for a real challenge, I looked for and suspected NGC 6557 in Gemini. It reminded me of that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I added to my logbook Abell 22 in Scutum. It reminded me of 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. After that, I tried M 46 in Sagittarius. It somewhat resembled its Hubble photograph. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked off B 338. It was a blurry likeness of a UFO. With that checked off my list, I logged IC 2139. It took me back to the first time I saw whipped cream. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried for IC 638 in Ophiuchus. It compared favorably with diamonds on black velvet. Then, for a real challenge, I tried for Abell 39. It looked a bit like the eternal nothingness of being. Then, for a real challenge, I checked off Abell 2. It was as bright as a spitting cobra.
After a short break to have a smoke, I went for Abell 98. It looked a bit like lumpy darkness. After that, I looked for and suspected NGC 838. It was a blurry likeness of a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sketched NGC 3214. It was a dead ringer for 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 a State of the Union address.