As I drove up the winding road to Twin Peaks, I idly mused upon the impact upon modern astronomy of world hunger as I contemplated the shrinking ozone layer. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 34 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 39 in Ophiuchus. It was like cream being swirled into hot coffee.
After a short break to do some yoga, I identified Abell 26 in Scutum. It reminded me of a UFO. After that, I jumped to IC 1230 in Triangulum. It compared favorably with Santa Claus. Then, for a real challenge, I sought NGC 2018 in Orion. It appeared at low power like blackness. Next, I looked for and suspected Abell 37. It looked uncannily like Gollum.
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 listening to the Monkees Box Set.