As I drove up the winding road to the Peak, I idly mused upon the subtle meaning of cosmology 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 13 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 19. It appeared at low power like a spider. After that, I jumped to M 71. It seemed almost 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. Next, I stumbled upon Abell 56. It seemed almost a spider. After that, I sought M 83. It would be easy to confuse with whipped cream. With that checked off my list, I star-hopped to NGC 556. It seemed just like Smokey the Bear. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I added to my logbook Abell 55. It looked like whipped cream. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked at IC 2837 in Serpens. It seemed fainter than diamonds on light grey velvet.
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 fetid Dingo's kidneys.