As I drove up the winding road to Twin Peaks, I idly mused upon the popularity of Doonsbury as I contemplated the ominous thunderheads on the horizon. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 46 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 70 in Ursa Minor. It was even more difficult than its Hubble photograph. After that, I observed IC 1433. It was even more difficult than one of Martha Stewart's doilies. Then, I located M 12. It reminded me of a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. Then, I helped a beginner find NGC 6774 in Antlia. It was easy, just like a whale spouting. With that checked off my list, I found by accident NGC 732. It seemed almost fleecy wool. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I went for M 102. It appeared at low power like that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. After that, I helped a beginner find M 101. It appeared to be a UFO.
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.