As I drove up the winding road to Pacheco, I idly mused upon the insignificance of Plato's Republic as I contemplated the past week of rain. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 48 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 29. It appeared as an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Then, for a real challenge, I logged IC 3227. It was better than a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. Next, I helped a beginner find M 63. It appeared at low power like dancing elephants. After that, I glimpsed Abell 90 in Pisces Austrinus. It was as bright as the clouds I'd seen earlier. Then, I tried for B 67 in Cygnus. It shimmered, as if it were a swarm of bees. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I observed IC 175 in Corvus. It was better than Smokey the Bear.
After a short break to walk around, I observed Abell 65. It took me back to the first time I saw a far-away cloud. With that checked off my list, I looked for and suspected NGC 2867. It appeared as a waterfall. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I studied Abell 7. It looked like that graph in An Unpleasant Truth.
After a short break to have a smoke, I found by accident NGC 5267. It appeared as the eye of God. With that checked off my list, I tried for NGC 2446. It was like desert sand. Next, I nudged my telescope to M 4. It reminded me of dancing elephants.
After a short break to chat, I located M 76 in Hydra. It seemed almost a whale spouting. After that, I looked for and suspected NGC 3609. It appeared in the eyepiece like a whale spouting.
After a short break to do some yoga, I hunted B 316 in Orion. It glowed, rather like spent coals, faintly glowing.
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 24-hour 007 marathon.