As I drove up the winding road to another winding road only known to those from my support group, I idly mused upon the study of AP Refractors 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 24 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 63. It looked exactly like all the other smudges I've ever looked at. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked off M 101. It appeared in the eyepiece like ripples of water. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I added to my logbook IC 2196 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It seemed most like yet another globular. After that, I found by accident NGC 270 in Scorpius. It seemed almost Alan Rickman. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I went for NGC 6960 in Orion. It was as bright as ripples of water.
After a short break to check my email, I found by accident IC 2599. It looked like a far-away cloud.
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 kick in the pants with a copper toed boot.