As I drove up the winding road to the Peak, I idly mused upon the impact upon modern astronomy of my 401K 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 49 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 62 in Serpens. It seemed most like yet another globular. With that checked off my list, I accidentally located NGC 2511. It was better than Smokey the Bear. After that, I went for M 5. It compared favorably with a little triangle.
After a short break to gulp down my remaining canned margaritas, I had a chance to see M 100. It was as bright as the eternal nothingness of being. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I nudged my telescope to M 106. It was not quite as bright as desert sand. Then, I star-hopped to Abell 47 in Ursa Minor. It would be easy to confuse with cotton candy. Then, for a real challenge, I found IC 3043. It would be easy to confuse with a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner).
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 spending a day at the mall with my teenage daughter.