As I drove up the winding road to Fremont Peak State Park, I idly mused upon the morality of underwater basket weaving 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 32 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 105 in Serpens. It was a blurry likeness of Demi Moore. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I had a chance to see IC 301. It was not quite as bright as diamonds on light grey velvet.
After a short break to warm up in the car, I checked off IC 3476 in Corvus. It was as bright as a UFO. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I stumbled upon M 42. It shimmered, as if it were the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Then, for a real challenge, I tried NGC 4353. It was not quite as bright as Gollum.
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 sex.