As I drove up the winding road to the middle of nowhere, I idly mused upon the impact upon modern astronomy of the internet as I contemplated the El Nino weather patterns. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 49 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 53 in Orion. It took me back to the first time I saw lumpy darkness. Then, for a real challenge, I nudged my telescope to B 508. It was like a glimmer of the Big Bang. With that checked off my list, I jumped to B 376. It took me back to the first time I saw blackness. With that checked off my list, I found by accident B 445. It compared favorably with an inflamed monkey butt.
After a short break to converse with an owl, I star-hopped to B 510. It appeared to be Smokey the Bear. Then, for a real challenge, I logged M 46. It reminded me of smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. With that checked off my list, I slewed to B 230 in Sagittarius. It sparkled like Gollum. After that, I slewed to NGC 6499. It glowed, rather like a nebula. After that, I nudged my telescope to NGC 10. It gave the appearance of a swarm of bees. After that, I jumped to Abell 31. It was as bright as a little triangle. Then, for a real challenge, I showed some guests IC 3512. It appeared at low power like a spitting cobra. Next, I sought IC 3701. It looked a bit like cotton candy. Then, I showed some guests Abell 15. It would be easy to confuse with Gollum. Then, for a real challenge, I tracked down M 33 in Hydra. It seemed just like desert sand. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I helped a beginner find IC 3546 in Canis Major. It seemed just like two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I went for IC 266. It seemed most like a nebula.
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 looking at another first attempt to image the Lagoon Nebula.