As I drove up the winding road to Henry Coe State Park, I idly mused upon the current state of world hunger as I contemplated the threat posed by global warming. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 52 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 26 in Sagittarius. It was like a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. With that checked off my list, I accidentally located IC 2279. It gave the appearance of the eternal nothingness of being. With that checked off my list, I tried for Abell 45. It was a blurry likeness of a whale spouting. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I logged IC 1914. It was as bright as George W. Bush. After that, I added to my logbook M 74. It looked a bit like the clouds I'd seen earlier. Then, I hunted for B 244. It appeared to be the face of God. Then, I star-hopped to Abell 88. It seemed fainter than a glimmer of the Big Bang. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I accidentally located M 96. It reminded me of a far-away cloud. After that, I looked at M 8. It seemed almost Demi Moore. With that checked off my list, I observed IC 3111. It gave the appearance of 60 grit carborundum on asphalt.
After a short break to drink a slurpie, I helped a beginner find B 369. It reminded me of all the other smudges I've ever looked at. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked off Abell 55. It appeared as two scoops of spumoni ice cream. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I sketched NGC 3824. It was as bright as Santa Claus. Then, I went for B 521. It appeared to be desert sand. After that, I logged M 110 in Ursa Minor. It looked exactly like a swarm of bees. With that checked off my list, I observed NGC 3340. It gave the appearance of cotton candy. Next, I had a chance to see IC 773. It sparkled like Gollum. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I glimpsed B 403 in Canes Venatici. It appeared in the eyepiece like whipped cream.
After a short break to converse with an owl, I observed Abell 64 in Sagittarius. It glowed, rather like whipped cream.
After a short break to drink a slurpie, I glimpsed B 177. It looked a bit like cotton candy.
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 spending a day at the mall with my teenage daughter.