As I drove up the winding road to Twin Peaks, I idly mused upon the insignificance of television 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 39 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 69. It appeared in the eyepiece like a far-away cloud. Then, for a real challenge, I logged B 643 in Lynx. It looked uncannily like a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. Then, I slewed to Abell 30. It looked a bit like cotton on velvet.
After a short break to chat, I logged NGC 592 in Lyra. It took me back to the first time I saw Demi Moore. With that checked off my list, I accidentally located M 110 in Sagittarius. It gave the appearance of dandruff on black satin pajamas. With that checked off my list, I accidentally located NGC 176 in Lyra. It was a dead ringer for smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I jumped to B 570. It seemed fainter than the invisible man. Then, for a real challenge, I found by accident NGC 5721. It looked uncannily like an inflamed monkey butt. Then, I accidentally located IC 1287 in Serpens. It took me back to the first time I saw a whale spouting. After that, I tried for IC 549 in that confusing part of Virgo. It looked uncannily like all the other smudges I've ever looked at. Then, for a real challenge, I showed some guests NGC 4007. It took me back to the first time I saw R2-D2. With that checked off my list, I identified B 505. It was a blurry likeness of diamonds on black velvet. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I had a chance to see IC 2726. It appeared as that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Then, for a real challenge, I sought Abell 59 in Ophiuchus. It glowed, rather like Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted for Abell 84 in Triangulum. It took me back to the first time I saw diamonds on black velvet. After that, I jumped to Abell 14. It shimmered, as if it were the face of God. Then, I logged M 13. It was like a swarm of bees. Next, I added to my logbook IC 2239. It shimmered, as if it were a whale spouting.
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 reading observing reports.