As I drove up the winding road to Dinosaur Point, I idly mused upon the morality of Norse mythology 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 55 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 50 in Perseus. It shimmered, as if it were spent coals, faintly glowing. Next, I hunted for NGC 5331 in Serpens. It compared favorably with a UFO. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I nudged my telescope to IC 1513. It would be easy to confuse with one of Martha Stewart's doilies. With that checked off my list, I sketched NGC 1142 in Draco. It compared favorably with George W. Bush.
After a short break to walk around, I jumped to IC 1890 in Gemini. It was a blurry likeness of whispy tendrils of nebulosity. Then, for a real challenge, I observed B 490. It would be easy to confuse with nothing I'd ever seen before.
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 out under the stars with people you hate.