As I drove up the winding road to Henry Coe State Park, I idly mused upon the morality of the internet as I contemplated the fleecy clouds, hoping they would clear. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 13 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 49. It looked a bit like a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). Next, I stumbled upon NGC 4575. It looked exactly like George W. Bush.
After a short break to cut some cheese, I sketched B 637. It gave the appearance of a spitting cobra. With that checked off my list, I checked out NGC 3307. It looked exactly like whipped cream. With that checked off my list, I tried Abell 59 in Orion. It glowed, rather like an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried for Abell 20. It appeared in the eyepiece like its Hubble photograph. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked at B 145. It was not quite as bright as black pearls on flocked paper. After that, I added to my logbook NGC 6615. It appeared as the face of God. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted B 558. It was easy, just like ripples of water.
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 a 24-hour 007 marathon.