As I drove up the winding road to Twin Peaks, I idly mused upon the popularity of AP Refractors as I contemplated the low fog. Would it rise, or not?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 29 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 9 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It appeared at low power like a spitting cobra. After that, I found B 510. It looked like Smokey the Bear. With that checked off my list, I stumbled upon Abell 48. It seemed most like the last six objects I'd seen. Then, I found by accident IC 3829 in Hydra. It somewhat resembled Dubya.
After a short break to do some yoga, I star-hopped to B 568. It glowed, rather like all the other smudges I've ever looked at. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I accidentally located B 553. It was a dead ringer for fleecy wool. After that, I went for M 38. It gave the appearance of dandruff on black satin pajamas. Then, I sketched M 92. It seemed just like the clouds I'd seen earlier. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I helped a beginner find Abell 78 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It glowed, rather like the pillars of creation. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I helped a beginner find IC 3487. It was a blurry likeness of Santa Claus. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tried for NGC 1681. It appeared to be the last six objects I'd seen.
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 yet another town star party with clueless newbies.