circular light pattern at about 30,000 ft.

Was hitch hiking home from a friends house on deserted Old County Rd. approx. 11pm.I was 17 years old. There wasn't many cars to thumb and I was admiring the crystal clear night sky . A few commercial jets went by at what was maybe 30,000 ft. At an altitude where the light's from the planes were clear but not able to make out an airplane shape. A light approached from the NE Which was to the left and in front of me. There was no foliage on the trees and I'm estimating it was Nov. This particular light looked very normal in the night sky until it changed course towards me. It was very large and at the same altitude as the passing commercial jets. It had colored lights surging in a circular pattern on what I assume was the perimeter of the craft. It was at least twice the size of the jetliners.It came to a complete stop at about 80 degrees off vertical and at that point I decided to get off the roadway and to the base of a tree as I was a little bit chicken.It stayed in one spot for a good 5 min. I placed my head against the trunk of the tree and kept an eye on the craft to see if it was sitting still or my mind was playing tricks with me. With my head steadied I compared it to an overhead branch and it was still. It eventually moved off towards the southwest and the lights were  shut off . I remained under the tree untill the next car came along which also picked me up . I got in somewhat panicked and asked if they had seen anything . They said no and I left it at that.I told people about now and then and was struck by how many people went on to tell me of there UFO sightings. I'm certain of what I saw. I grew up on Air bases and am very familiar with most aircraft and even blimps . It was a UFO by definition and chilled me to the bone.
Witness indicates that the date of the event is approximate.  PD