As I drove up the winding road to Fremont Peak State Park, I idly mused upon the subtle beauty 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 22 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 95 in Ursa Major. It reminded me of 60 grit carborundum on asphalt.
After a short break to warm up in the car, I looked for and suspected Abell 88. It glowed, rather like nothing I'd ever seen before. Then, I tried for B 599. It was better than a swarm of bees. Next, I accidentally located B 389. It was a dead ringer for whispy tendrils of nebulosity. Then, for a real challenge, I helped a beginner find M 110. It seemed almost ripples of water. Next, I found B 160 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It was a blurry likeness of fleecy wool.
After a short break to check my email, I sketched NGC 2051 in Pisces Austrinus. It compared favorably with a little triangle. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I went for B 626. It would be easy to confuse with R2-D2.
After a short break to do some yoga, I sought M 21. It appeared in the eyepiece like an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tried for B 103. It was like Demi Moore.
After a short break to do some yoga, I hunted for IC 1060. It would be easy to confuse with dancing elephants. Then, for a real challenge, I star-hopped to M 38 in Orion. It looked a bit like cotton on velvet. Then, I located M 70. It would be easy to confuse with R2-D2.
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 taking an elevator during a Stage 3 alert.