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Last night when I went to bed, the sky was fully obscured by clouds. At 1:36 AM, I was awaken by some crash in the backyard: apparently a cat or some other critter. After the scare I realized the sky was *fully* clear and dark, in Evergreen/San Jose.
The Milky Way streamed from horizon to horizon. Above was Cassiopeia, Andromeda, the Double Cluster in Perseus, and all were visible with the unaided eye. Jupiter was dazzling, Saturn a little less so. The Pleiades were on the rise.
The Perseids were flashing regularly, including one that either left a trail on my retina or in the sky itself.
Small aperture scopes are great in that they can be dragged out of the bedroom corner and set-up nearly instantly. I was able to get-in two hours of prime viewing on a work night. Before sunrise, the sky was once again all marine layer. I was then able to get back to sleep.
The experience wasn't a dream: the star charts and planisphere were still wet from the dew. All in all, a delightful viewing experience: I was so happy this one didn't slip by.
Always check the skies. They still have the power to surprise.