As I drove up the winding road to Henry Coe State Park, I idly mused upon the insignificance of cosmology as I contemplated the ominous thunderheads on the horizon. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 28 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 56. It compared favorably with Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. Next, I sought IC 3608. It was like diamonds on black velvet. After that, I had a chance to see IC 2020 in Ursa Minor. It looked exactly like George W. Bush. With that checked off my list, I tried B 212. It was a dead ringer for George W. Bush. Then, I identified IC 1634 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It appeared to be Gollum.
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 being strapped naked to an anthill.