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Hey Rod.
I'm not surprised Mars wasn't spectacular yet.. it's still a LONG way away and there's still 6 months to go before it's at opposition. When I had a look at Mars about 2 months ago, I couldn't even make it out as a disc.. it just looked like betelguese.
The jumping around, was probably a combination of air currents (from not having reached ambient temperature) and bad seeing. i'm sure Mars will get much better to view in the coming months, and just try on another morning when there might be better seeing, and you should be able to make out the polar cap..
What mag were you using?
As for morning viewing, i've done quite a bit of morning viewing/imaging, and I leave my scope out all night to cool down, but I leave it under the pergola where it can't get wet. Have you got any undercover area outside where you can leave it while you are in slumber?
I definitely wouldn't leave it outside under the stars while you slept, not only for fear of rain, but bad dew as well.
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