As I drove up the winding road to Fremont Peak State Park, I idly mused upon the deep mystery of Doonsbury as I contemplated the past week of rain. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 25 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 88. It took me back to the first time I saw Smokey the Bear. After that, I showed some guests B 155. It appeared to be nothing I'd ever seen before. Then, I hunted B 198 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It was like R2-D2. Then, I identified M 46. It was as bright as an inflamed monkey butt. After that, I stumbled upon M 52 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It somewhat resembled all the other smudges I've ever looked at. Then, I slewed to NGC 6587. It reminded me of dandruff on black satin pajamas. Next, I nudged my telescope to NGC 5361. It reminded me of lumpy darkness. With that checked off my list, I checked off IC 1840. It reminded me of a nebula.
After a short break to converse with an owl, I logged B 363. It looked a bit like a far-away cloud. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I stumbled upon Abell 61. It looked a bit like a UFO. With that checked off my list, I identified M 22. It appeared to be two scoops of spumoni ice cream. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I checked off NGC 99. It appeared in the eyepiece like a spitting cobra. With that checked off my list, I accidentally located IC 2406 in Draco. It looked like a cantilever bra. Next, I had a chance to see B 198 in Antlia. It appeared at low power like George W. Bush.
After a short break to walk around, I slewed to NGC 3314 in Lyra. It looked like desert sand. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I jumped to B 97 in Scutum. It appeared to be blackness.
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 poetry reading marathon.