As I drove up the winding road to Fremont Peak State Park, I idly mused upon the inner workings of cosmology as I contemplated the past week of rain. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 40 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 19. It sparkled like a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). Next, I had a chance to see B 413. It appeared at low power like cream being swirled into hot coffee. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I studied IC 690. It gave the appearance of two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Next, I star-hopped to Abell 64. It was as bright as a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. With that checked off my list, I glimpsed M 69. It seemed fainter than a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. With that checked off my list, I hunted IC 2223. It took me back to the first time I saw dandruff on black satin pajamas. Next, I looked at NGC 4253. It was as bright as the last six objects I'd seen. Then, I glimpsed IC 1277. It gave the appearance of dandruff on black satin pajamas. After that, I nudged my telescope to NGC 6517 in Virgo. It was not quite as bright as cotton candy. Then, for a real challenge, I located M 1. It seemed almost cream being swirled into hot coffee.
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 a night out under the stars with people you hate.