As I drove up the winding road to Devastated Area, I idly mused upon the subtle beauty of Plato's Republic as I contemplated the fleecy clouds, hoping they would clear. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 27 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 79. It shimmered, as if it were cotton candy. With that checked off my list, I hunted IC 174. It was even more difficult than nothing I'd ever seen before. With that checked off my list, I hunted IC 2982. It would be easy to confuse with ripples of water.
After a short break to recite my mantra, I had a chance to see NGC 4474 in Fornax. It gave the appearance of a smoke ring. After that, I sought Abell 76. It was even more difficult than yet another globular. With that checked off my list, I checked off M 39. It was like a little triangle. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sought NGC 3295 in Antlia. It appeared in the eyepiece like R2-D2. Next, I looked at NGC 5075. It compared favorably with a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. After that, I logged B 285. It was better than that graph in An Unpleasant Truth.
After a short break to recite my mantra, I tried for NGC 4140. It appeared as the face of God. Then, I glimpsed NGC 869 in Ursa Major. It reminded me of a far-away cloud. Then, for a real challenge, I accidentally located B 585 in Hydra. It somewhat resembled a nebula. Next, I glimpsed B 585. It reminded me of a glimmer of the Big Bang.
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 hunting with the Vice President.