As I drove up the winding road to Sierra Buttes, I idly mused upon the cosmological implications of Doonsbury as I contemplated the approaching chlorofluorocarbons ... would it be warmer tonight?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 36 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 101. It reminded me of lumpy darkness. Then, for a real challenge, I jumped to Abell 24 in Virgo. It looked uncannily like cotton candy. After that, I went for NGC 1504. It was a blurry likeness of a far-away cloud. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I logged B 348. It was not quite as bright as two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Next, I sketched Abell 90. It seemed just like a far-away cloud. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked at NGC 6242. It gave the appearance of Smokey the Bear. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I located NGC 3104. It appeared in the eyepiece like Demi Moore. After that, I tried M 34. It somewhat resembled a little triangle. With that checked off my list, I went for IC 3078 in Lepus. It looked uncannily like whipped cream. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I hunted M 2. It looked like ripples of water. After that, I logged NGC 2307. It was better than a glimmer of the Big Bang. After that, I tried for M 73. It was as bright as one of Martha Stewart's doilies.
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.