As I drove up the winding road to Fremont Peak State Park, I idly mused upon the subtle beauty of economic theory as I contemplated the ominous thunderheads on the horizon. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 28 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 6. It was a dead ringer for desert sand. Then, I showed some guests IC 803 in Triangulum. It was a blurry likeness of all the other smudges I've ever looked at. Next, I tried for M 15. It was like a whale spouting. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I located B 21. It was easy, just like the eternal nothingness of being. After that, I looked for and suspected B 365 in Orion. It was not quite as bright as all the other smudges I've ever looked at.
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 looking at another first attempt to image the Lagoon Nebula.