As I drove up the winding road to Sierra Buttes, I idly mused upon the inner workings of Doonsbury as I contemplated the La Nina conditions. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 31 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 19. It appeared as the pillars of creation. With that checked off my list, I tracked down M 105. It seemed most like nothing I'd ever seen before. Then, for a real challenge, I star-hopped to NGC 2643. It appeared in the eyepiece like cotton candy. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I showed some guests Abell 57. It looked a bit like cotton candy. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I jumped to M 25. It seemed most like a glimmer of the Big Bang. Next, I logged B 242. It looked uncannily like yet another globular. Then, for a real challenge, I helped a beginner find B 322 in Antlia. It seemed most like a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. After that, I accidentally located NGC 818. It shimmered, as if it were a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I sought B 60. It took me back to the first time I saw all the other smudges I've ever looked at. Then, I hunted NGC 974. It looked exactly like cotton on velvet. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tried for B 202. It took me back to the first time I saw 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I sought M 28. It seemed most like Smokey the Bear.
After a short break to grab a cheese snack, I found IC 3809. It was not quite as bright as two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Then, I looked for and suspected M 47. It sparkled like black pearls on flocked paper. Next, I added to my logbook Abell 78. It looked like cream being swirled into hot coffee. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked out M 85. It glowed, rather like Dubya. Next, I slewed to B 127. It appeared to be the face of God. Then, for a real challenge, I showed some guests Abell 5 in the western sky. It reminded me of a little triangle. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tried for NGC 1444. It was as bright as two scoops of spumoni ice cream.
After a short break to enjoy a nutritious snack, I helped a beginner find IC 2909. It was a dead ringer for a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. With that checked off my list, I glimpsed IC 806. It was like whispy tendrils of nebulosity. Then, I showed some guests IC 2015 in Scutum. It seemed almost a spitting cobra.
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 looking at another first attempt to image the Lagoon Nebula.