As I drove up the winding road to Fremont Peak State Park, I idly mused upon the deep impact of Yahoo P/E ratios 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 47 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 85. It gave the appearance of blackness. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I had a chance to see B 265. It seemed most like spent coals, faintly glowing. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I had a chance to see B 336. It seemed just like a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. After that, I hunted for M 79. It appeared as the face of God.
After a short break to walk around, I tried M 74 in Lynx. It sparkled like the invisible man. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I accidentally located Abell 95 in the western sky. It was as bright as two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Then, I slewed to M 65. It reminded me of desert sand.
After a short break to munch cheesy poofs, I hunted for B 604. It appeared at low power like Miss Piggy.
After a short break to gulp down my remaining canned margaritas, I jumped to M 20. It appeared in the eyepiece like the pillars of creation. After that, I accidentally located NGC 1146. It was a blurry likeness of a nebula. Then, I stumbled upon Abell 89. It was a blurry likeness of lumpy darkness. Then, for a real challenge, I tried for NGC 1312. It appeared as a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. Next, I hunted for Abell 27. It appeared in the eyepiece like whipped cream. Then, I tried M 26 in Septans. It looked a bit like diamonds on light grey velvet. Next, I found by accident M 78 in Cygnus. It would be easy to confuse with blackness. Then, for a real challenge, I added to my logbook IC 673 in the western sky. It was better than the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Then, for a real challenge, I found B 405. It seemed just like 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I helped a beginner find NGC 3640 in Ursa Minor. It appeared as a UFO.
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 poetry reading marathon.