Well, Bob, I guess I was the only one doing a mini-marathon.
I started as soon as I could to get #74 and #77, but I found out I had plenty of time get everything sighted before setting. That wasn't the problem. I got 35 of them quickly (?), but when I got to #83 in Hydra, I couldn't do it because the peak was in the way. I waited until 4:30 in the morning and it was still hiding. I think, as in golf, there should be a "gimme" for those not checked off because of "things" beyond your control. ;-) Trying to see it throught the tree tops was futile, and so I pointed my scope into Virgo (No, no, Mr. Bill! Anything but Virgo!!)
I did get through Virgo and Coma Berenices, but I had to do it in two parts. Part 1 was before I started screaming and pulling out my hair, and Part 2 came after getting the easy stuff done in Ursa Major and having a Baily's Coffee. ;-) Thanks, Mark.
I finished Messiers in Canes Venatici, Hercules, Ophiuchus, and then came Scorpius....rising...yes, I see #80 and #4, but alas, the peak was in the way for the rest, the moon was rising, and my eyes and feet were sore!
So, I completed 88 Messiers Friday night. I could have easily done more if I were at a site with much better horizons (as previously stated by Richard Navarette). If given the opportunity to do it again next weekend (if Chakmool is appeased), I will go to Pacheco or the elusive Sacred Site. It becomes frustrating when you know things are visible, but just not to you. Eighty-eight is probably a good number, but that was a tremendous amount of effort to fall short 22. ;-z