As I drove up the winding road to Fremont Peak State Park, I idly mused upon the morality of Doonsbury as I contemplated the approaching chlorofluorocarbons ... would it be warmer tonight?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 2 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 76 in Scorpius. It seemed almost Gollum. Then, for a real challenge, I tried B 90. It sparkled like Miss Piggy. After that, I nudged my telescope to B 467. It shimmered, as if it were cotton on velvet. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I went for M 102 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It was better than a far-away cloud. Then, for a real challenge, I looked at B 298. It looked a bit like cotton candy. After that, I slewed to M 107 in Serpens. It seemed just like a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). With that checked off my list, I logged IC 2857. It seemed fainter than a spider. Then, I star-hopped to NGC 6071 in Orion. It took me back to the first time I saw a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. After that, I observed IC 1764. It appeared in the eyepiece like a whale spouting. Then, for a real challenge, I located B 597. It looked a bit like yet another globular. Next, I identified IC 1063. It compared favorably with a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Then, for a real challenge, I had a chance to see IC 3816 in Lynx. It was better than Smokey the Bear. Then, I checked out IC 1934. It seemed almost diamonds on light grey velvet.
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 stale peeps.