As I drove up the winding road to Fremont Peak State Park, I idly mused upon the current implications of AP Refractors 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 44 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 10 in Canis Major. It reminded me of nothing I'd ever seen before. Next, I sketched B 372. It was a dead ringer for 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. Next, I studied M 81. It seemed almost a glimmer of the Big Bang. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tracked down Abell 59. It seemed most like one of Martha Stewart's doilies. After that, I checked out IC 3348 in Triangulum. It sparkled like smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band.
After a short break to check my email, I star-hopped to Abell 96. It was better than a swarm of bees.
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 yet another town star party with clueless newbies.