As I drove up the winding road to the middle of nowhere, I idly mused upon the morality of cosmology as I contemplated the threat posed by global warming. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 32 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 109. It appeared at low power like cream being swirled into hot coffee. Next, I helped a beginner find M 97. It seemed just like 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I slewed to IC 1560 in Camelopardalis. It somewhat resembled a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. Then, for a real challenge, I had a chance to see B 80. It looked a bit like Smokey the Bear. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked at B 116 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It was like the eternal nothingness of being. Then, for a real challenge, I looked at Abell 52. It appeared in the eyepiece like a swarm of bees. Then, for a real challenge, I tried for IC 3280. It compared favorably with a waterfall. Then, I looked for and suspected Abell 46. It took me back to the first time I saw fleecy wool. With that checked off my list, I added to my logbook IC 63. It seemed almost cotton candy. Next, I slewed to Abell 51. It was a dead ringer for cream being swirled into hot coffee.
After a short break to walk around, I located Abell 53. It seemed most like the eye of God. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I glimpsed M 89. It was even more difficult than cream being swirled into hot coffee. Then, I tracked down M 58 in Triangulum. It seemed almost Dubya.
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 looking at another first attempt to image the Lagoon Nebula.