As I drove up the winding road to the Peak, I idly mused upon the morality of my 401K 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 45 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 39. It looked uncannily like Miss Piggy.
After a short break to check my email, I sketched IC 2287. It somewhat resembled all the other smudges I've ever looked at.
After a short break to drink a slurpie, I had a chance to see M 92. It was easy, just like diamonds on black velvet. With that checked off my list, I looked for and suspected Abell 97. It was as bright as desert sand. Then, for a real challenge, I studied Abell 55. It looked like a swarm of bees. With that checked off my list, I looked for and suspected NGC 3518. It took me back to the first time I saw blackness. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found by accident M 40. It seemed just like cotton candy. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I added to my logbook M 100. It reminded me of Miss Piggy. Next, I tried for NGC 2363. It looked exactly like a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. Next, I logged NGC 4120. It looked uncannily like cotton candy. Next, I went for NGC 4091. It appeared as the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Then, I slewed to IC 160. It was better than spent coals, faintly glowing. Next, I tried B 282. It was even more difficult than Smokey the Bear. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I found by accident M 87. It was better than the eternal nothingness of being. Then, for a real challenge, I stumbled upon Abell 90. It appeared at low power like ripples of water. After that, I checked off M 97. It was even more difficult than spent coals, faintly glowing. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found Abell 55. It was as bright as whispy tendrils of nebulosity. Next, I identified IC 657. It was even more difficult than one of Martha Stewart's doilies. With that checked off my list, I stumbled upon Abell 5. It was a blurry likeness of a far-away cloud. With that checked off my list, I studied IC 3614. It looked uncannily like nothing I'd ever seen before.
After a short break to drink a slurpie, I sought B 123 in that confusing part of Virgo. It appeared in the eyepiece like black pearls on flocked paper. Then, for a real challenge, I glimpsed NGC 2139. It looked a bit like a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I accidentally located M 94 in Antlia. It was like a little triangle.
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.