As I drove up the winding road to the Peak, I idly mused upon the cosmological implications of this Pale Blue Dot we call home as I contemplated the approaching back of the front... would seeing and transparancy improve soon?. 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 81. It was as bright as a spider. After that, I tried B 578. It looked like all the other smudges I've ever looked at. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked out Abell 61. It was as bright as Dubya. Then, for a real challenge, I tried for IC 2307. It gave the appearance of a cantilever bra. Then, I stumbled upon Abell 18. It was better than Alan Rickman. Next, I looked at M 81. It appeared in the eyepiece like two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Next, I sketched M 99 in Hydra. It seemed most like Gollum. Then, I showed some guests NGC 5971. It was a dead ringer for a Black Rider hunting for Frodo.
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 sitting in a dentist's waiting room.