As I drove up the winding road to Henry Coe State Park, I idly mused upon the morality of AP Refractors as I contemplated the El Nino weather patterns. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 42 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 86 in Camelopardalis. It was a dead ringer for nothing I'd ever seen before. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I stumbled upon IC 3089. It was like spent coals, faintly glowing. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I went for NGC 6135. It was a dead ringer for Smokey the Bear. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I jumped to NGC 6670 in Pisces Austrinus. It was not quite as bright as a waterfall. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I accidentally located NGC 3197. It compared favorably with a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). After that, I accidentally located Abell 67. It seemed almost the invisible man.
After a short break to warm up in the car, I accidentally located B 278. It sparkled like Alan Rickman. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I checked off Abell 40. It seemed just like whispy tendrils of nebulosity.
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 being ravaged by savage wild wombats.