As I drove up the winding road to Devastated Area, I idly mused upon the inner workings of Plato's Republic 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 6 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 53. It would be easy to confuse with desert sand. With that checked off my list, I glimpsed M 87 in Lynx. It looked a bit like whipped cream.
After a short break to listen to Mozart, I added to my logbook NGC 3185. It was like a little triangle. With that checked off my list, I sought M 89. It was better than diamonds on light grey velvet. Then, for a real challenge, I nudged my telescope to M 3. It seemed almost the eternal nothingness of being. With that checked off my list, I tracked down Abell 39. It would be easy to confuse with a swarm of bees. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I slewed to NGC 200. It sparkled like black pearls on flocked paper. Then, for a real challenge, I found Abell 64. It would be easy to confuse with ripples of water. After that, I observed NGC 6640 in Perseus. It appeared as Miss Piggy. Then, for a real challenge, I checked out IC 1499 in Draco. It looked like Dubya. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I found by accident B 642 in that confusing part of Virgo. It appeared to be a far-away cloud. Then, for a real challenge, I observed Abell 88 in Canes Venatici. It was easy, just like R2-D2. After that, I hunted for Abell 25. It reminded me of Santa Claus. Next, I identified M 109. It was as bright as desert sand. Then, I located IC 317 in Cygnus. It appeared at low power like 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. Then, for a real challenge, I sought IC 3605. It reminded me of diamonds on light grey velvet. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted NGC 6717 in Lepus. It gave the appearance of Alan Rickman. Next, I looked at M 45. It appeared as Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. With that checked off my list, I checked off IC 3263. It was not quite as bright as yet another globular. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tracked down B 436 in Triangulum. It looked like the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. With that checked off my list, I sought B 433. It somewhat resembled the clouds I'd seen earlier. Then, for a real challenge, I went for B 521 in that confusing part of Virgo. It gave the appearance of a far-away cloud.
After a short break to drink a slurpie, I sketched IC 2948 in the western sky. It was like a waterfall.
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 listening to the Monkees Box Set.