As I drove up the winding road to Twin Peaks, I idly mused upon the popularity of TAC 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 57 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 68. It was a blurry likeness of cotton candy. With that checked off my list, I hunted Abell 99 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It appeared to be fleecy wool. With that checked off my list, I located Abell 70 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It was better than a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. Then, for a real challenge, I slewed to B 145. It appeared as that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. With that checked off my list, I added to my logbook NGC 3975 in Fornax. It appeared to be Santa Claus. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I studied IC 2943. It appeared in the eyepiece like Demi Moore. Then, for a real challenge, I tracked down NGC 587. It compared favorably with its Hubble photograph. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I accidentally located NGC 6567. It was easy, just like 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. Then, for a real challenge, I tracked down IC 1364. It looked a bit like yet another globular. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I had a chance to see Abell 28. It looked uncannily like Demi Moore. Next, I star-hopped to NGC 6291 in Scutum. It was better than the eye of God. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I helped a beginner find B 560 in Lepus. It gave the appearance of diamonds on black velvet. Then, I went for Abell 66 in Sculptor. It looked like one of Martha Stewart's doilies. Then, I looked for and suspected IC 145. It appeared to be yet another globular. Next, I hunted B 422. It looked uncannily like black pearls on flocked paper.
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 spending a day at the mall with my teenage daughter.