As I drove up the winding road to Fremont Peak State Park, I idly mused upon the subtle beauty of Plato's Republic 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 21 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 28 in Lynx. It took me back to the first time I saw 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. Then, for a real challenge, I helped a beginner find Abell 32. It looked a bit like that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I hunted NGC 5633 in Antlia. It looked uncannily like fleecy wool. Then, for a real challenge, I nudged my telescope to NGC 2172. It shimmered, as if it were a glimmer of the Big Bang.
After a short break to have a smoke, I glimpsed NGC 2273 in Lynx. It seemed fainter than its Hubble photograph.
After a short break to grab a cheese snack, I tried for IC 1492. It gave the appearance of whipped cream. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted for IC 748. It shimmered, as if it were Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted for Abell 52. It was easy, just like cream being swirled into hot coffee.
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 Segmentation fault (core dumped).