As I drove up the winding road to Henry Coe State Park, I idly mused upon the subtle meaning of the energy crisis 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 48 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 74. It appeared to be Miss Piggy.
After a short break to empty my output buffers, I looked at B 5. It appeared as a far-away cloud. Then, for a real challenge, I slewed to IC 1859. It looked a bit like a waterfall. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found by accident M 86 in Cygnus. It looked exactly like a spitting cobra. Then, I stumbled upon M 44. It looked uncannily like a glimmer of the Big Bang. Next, I looked for and suspected B 369. It reminded me of that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. After that, I located M 98. It seemed just like diamonds on black velvet. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I sketched IC 3449. It was easy, just like Santa Claus. After that, I glimpsed B 491 in Lyra. It was like diamonds on black velvet. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I slewed to IC 1432. It was easy, just like Smokey the Bear. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I nudged my telescope to Abell 74 in Canes Venatici. It was a dead ringer for the eternal nothingness of being.
After a short break to recite my mantra, I showed some guests M 33 in Cygnus. It was a blurry likeness of fleecy wool. After that, I hunted for Abell 61. It somewhat resembled R2-D2.
After a short break to gulp down my remaining canned margaritas, I observed B 118. It seemed most like an inflamed monkey butt. Then, I identified IC 70. It was as bright as Dubya. After that, I found B 315. It compared favorably with whipped cream. Then, I found by accident B 399 in Canis Major. It reminded me of the clouds I'd seen earlier. With that checked off my list, I went for M 34 in that confusing part of Virgo. It appeared at low power like Smokey the Bear. Next, I identified Abell 80 in Perseus. It reminded me of a nebula.
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 night watching an I Love Lucy marathon on Nick at Night.