As I drove up the winding road to Pacheco, I idly mused upon the subtle beauty of Norse mythology as I contemplated the shrinking ozone layer. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 59 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 6. It looked a bit like Gollum. With that checked off my list, I helped a beginner find IC 803. It seemed just like Demi Moore. Then, I nudged my telescope to M 66. It was easy, just like cotton on velvet. With that checked off my list, I stumbled upon Abell 1 in Ursa Minor. It seemed almost the eternal nothingness of being. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried IC 57 in Lyra. It was even more difficult than Dubya. Then, I went for IC 2647 in Septans. It looked uncannily like the eye of God. With that checked off my list, I had a chance to see IC 3755 in Lepus. It appeared in the eyepiece like smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I had a chance to see IC 2930. It seemed most like Gollum. With that checked off my list, I nudged my telescope to Abell 34. It seemed almost fleecy wool. Next, I accidentally located NGC 6728. It took me back to the first time I saw a far-away cloud. Then, for a real challenge, I checked out M 85. It shimmered, as if it were the clouds I'd seen earlier.
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 kick in the pants with a copper toed boot.