As I drove up the winding road to Fremont Peak State Park, I idly mused upon the popularity of underwater basket weaving 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 57 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 81 in Hydra. It was as bright as a waterfall. Then, I slewed to NGC 2274. It was easy, just like fleecy wool. Then, for a real challenge, I nudged my telescope to Abell 1 in Ophiuchus. It looked a bit like all the other smudges I've ever looked at. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tracked down M 76. It was a blurry likeness of a whale spouting.
After a short break to listen to Mozart, I identified IC 2290. It seemed most like a waterfall.
After a short break to have a smoke, I studied NGC 4981. It looked exactly like yet another globular. With that checked off my list, I looked at B 156. It reminded me of diamonds on light grey velvet. Then, I slewed to Abell 53. It somewhat resembled an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. After that, I sought B 235 in Perseus. It seemed almost blackness. Then, for a real challenge, I identified NGC 5553 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It looked a bit like its Hubble photograph. Then, I hunted for M 23. It looked uncannily like diamonds on light grey velvet. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted NGC 3917. It seemed fainter than the pillars of creation. With that checked off my list, I nudged my telescope to M 83. It was better than diamonds on light grey velvet. Then, for a real challenge, I went for Abell 11. It reminded me of all the other smudges I've ever looked at. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I located B 352 in Ursa Major. It seemed just like a swarm of bees. After that, I found NGC 6310 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It was a blurry likeness of a smoke ring. Then, I found by accident M 105. It seemed almost a Black Rider hunting for Frodo.
After a short break to chat, I hunted B 168 in Hydra. It looked exactly like a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Then, for a real challenge, I glimpsed M 34 in Fornax. It was even more difficult than a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. With that checked off my list, I found Abell 71. It was not quite as bright as a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I showed some guests IC 3487. It was easy, just like the clouds I'd seen earlier.
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 kick in the pants with a copper toed boot.