As I drove up the winding road to Dinosaur Point, I idly mused upon the inner workings of underwater basket weaving as I contemplated the threat posed by global warming. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 22 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 97. It was a blurry likeness of cream being swirled into hot coffee. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tried Abell 53 in Scorpius. It reminded me of Gollum.
After a short break to recite my mantra, I identified Abell 80. It was as bright as the clouds I'd seen earlier. Then, for a real challenge, I jumped to IC 1249. It reminded me of ripples of water. After that, I nudged my telescope to IC 2505. It seemed most like fleecy wool. Then, I slewed to IC 2496 in Camelopardalis. It appeared as that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Then, for a real challenge, I located M 56. It was not quite as bright as that graph in An Unpleasant Truth.
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 hunting with the Vice President.