As I drove up the winding road to Henry Coe State Park, I idly mused upon the deep impact of the energy crisis as I contemplated the ominous thunderheads on the horizon. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 7 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 75 in Gemini. It was easy, just like black pearls on flocked paper. With that checked off my list, I star-hopped to NGC 3008. It sparkled like the pillars of creation. With that checked off my list, I hunted Abell 62. It looked a bit like the eternal nothingness of being. Next, I glimpsed B 463. It was as bright as dandruff on black satin pajamas. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I glimpsed B 84 in Lepus. It sparkled like Smokey the Bear. Then, for a real challenge, I checked off NGC 5605 in Orion. It reminded me of the eternal nothingness of being. With that checked off my list, I slewed to Abell 14. It was better than a far-away cloud. After that, I found IC 1164 in the western sky. It looked like one of Martha Stewart's doilies. After that, I tried for B 285. It was not quite as bright as Smokey the Bear. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I slewed to M 29. It was as bright as whispy tendrils of nebulosity. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found by accident M 102. It looked uncannily like a far-away cloud. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I slewed to NGC 5895. It seemed just like lumpy darkness. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I observed B 77. It seemed just like a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). Then, I found by accident NGC 2806 in Ursa Major. It was a dead ringer for smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. Then, for a real challenge, I tried B 256. It glowed, rather like one of Martha Stewart's doilies.
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.