As I drove up the winding road to Twin Peaks, I idly mused upon the insignificance of underwater basket weaving as I contemplated the fleecy clouds, hoping they would clear. 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 56. It looked a bit like a spider. Then, for a real challenge, I looked for and suspected B 69. It was easy, just like dandruff on black satin pajamas. Then, I found by accident NGC 6049 in Fornax. It looked uncannily like cotton candy. With that checked off my list, I tracked down NGC 2437. It appeared to be a whale spouting. After that, I added to my logbook NGC 5037 in Sculptor. It appeared to be diamonds on black velvet. Then, I studied Abell 41. It glowed, rather like Miss Piggy. Then, I accidentally located B 407. It was easy, just like a spitting cobra. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked at M 3 in Scorpius. It was not quite as bright as George W. Bush. Then, I star-hopped to IC 2339. It appeared at low power like Gollum. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I found NGC 5530. It seemed most like the last six objects I'd seen. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted for IC 508. It sparkled like dandruff on black satin pajamas. With that checked off my list, I tried for B 515. It was not quite as bright as cotton candy. Then, I looked at NGC 2728. It shimmered, as if it were a waterfall. Then, for a real challenge, I had a chance to see NGC 4254. It looked exactly like the clouds I'd seen earlier. With that checked off my list, I identified B 172. It was easy, just like desert sand. With that checked off my list, I looked at B 2. It was as bright as a nebula. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I had a chance to see Abell 50 in Gemini. It was a blurry likeness of a UFO. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I helped a beginner find NGC 1587. It gave the appearance of the clouds I'd seen earlier. Then, I looked at B 359. It was a dead ringer for a waterfall.
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 Beowulf in Old English.