As I drove up the winding road to Twin Peaks, I idly mused upon the subtle beauty of my 401K 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 10 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 89 in Lynx. It sparkled like a little triangle.
After a short break to grab a cheese snack, I checked off B 549. It was better than Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. After that, I hunted Abell 32 in Sculptor. It compared favorably with black pearls on flocked paper. With that checked off my list, I star-hopped to Abell 41. It was even more difficult than lumpy darkness. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted M 26 in Pisces Austrinus. It appeared in the eyepiece like a smoke ring.
After a short break to gulp down my remaining canned margaritas, I tracked down NGC 4579. It appeared as cream being swirled into hot coffee. After that, I hunted B 273. It reminded me of whispy tendrils of nebulosity.
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 sitting in a dentist's waiting room.