As I drove up the winding road to Devastated Area, I idly mused upon the inner workings of the energy crisis as I contemplated the El Nino weather patterns. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 55 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 26. It would be easy to confuse with cotton candy. After that, I went for Abell 64. It looked a bit like a glimmer of the Big Bang. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I had a chance to see IC 1832 in Septans. It looked a bit like a far-away cloud.
After a short break to chat, I looked for and suspected NGC 4553. It was a blurry likeness of an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane.
After a short break to check my email, I observed B 50. It seemed just like a smoke ring. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tracked down NGC 4951. It was as bright as desert sand. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I checked out M 79. It shimmered, as if it were the eye of God. After that, I looked for and suspected B 267. It was as bright as diamonds on black 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 reading observing reports.