As I drove up the winding road to Devastated Area, I idly mused upon the subtle beauty of underwater basket weaving as I contemplated the approaching back of the front... would seeing and transparancy improve soon?. 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 48 in Ophiuchus. It was easy, just like George W. Bush. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked at IC 416. It looked a bit like the last six objects I'd seen. Next, I observed Abell 90. It shimmered, as if it were a spitting cobra. Then, I jumped to IC 618. It glowed, rather like diamonds on black velvet. After that, I sought IC 1926 in Lyra. It would be easy to confuse with a spider. Then, for a real challenge, I logged Abell 15. It seemed most like the eye of God. Then, I star-hopped to M 7. It appeared in the eyepiece like Santa Claus. Then, I found by accident NGC 4489. It seemed almost a glimmer of the Big Bang. After that, I checked out M 9. It looked exactly like cotton candy.
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.