As I drove up the winding road to the Peak, I idly mused upon the study of my 401K as I contemplated the crystal-clear skies. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 46 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 91 in Canes Venatici. It was like ripples of water. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I slewed to Abell 16. It seemed almost the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. After that, I stumbled upon Abell 66 in Ophiuchus. It looked exactly like a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). Then, I tried for NGC 5263 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It seemed just like a smoke ring. Next, I studied M 80. It looked like cotton candy. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I found M 105. It was better than spent coals, faintly glowing. Then, I tried NGC 4055. It seemed most like a spider. With that checked off my list, I studied B 62. It shimmered, as if it were the last six objects I'd seen.
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.