As I drove up the winding road to Sierra Buttes, I idly mused upon the subtle beauty of Norse mythology 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 36 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 90 in Camelopardalis. It was even more difficult than blackness. Next, I logged M 25. It reminded me of ripples of water. After that, I studied IC 3277 in Sculptor. It was not quite as bright as the eye of God. Then, for a real challenge, I nudged my telescope to NGC 6650 in Pisces Austrinus. It was better than Miss Piggy. After that, I sketched NGC 4462. It was like diamonds on black velvet. Then, for a real challenge, I checked out NGC 4257. It somewhat resembled 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 a night out under the stars with people you hate.