As I drove up the winding road to Fremont Peak State Park, I idly mused upon the current state of tight underwear 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 17 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 82 in Cygnus. It reminded me of a UFO. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I stumbled upon NGC 6512. It was as bright as desert sand. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I jumped to M 67 in Septans. It was even more difficult than two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I hunted B 17. It looked exactly like diamonds on light grey velvet. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I logged NGC 4382 in Ursa Major. It was a dead ringer for a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star.
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 a 24-hour 007 marathon.