The drive home started early. I believe we left town around 0430. Naturally, we did a slow drive through the yard on the way out for one last look at living history.

Near Espanola Ben noticed an exceptionally bright star to the east. Since all celestial bodies are brighter out there compared to living in the city, we didn't think too much of it. However, around Gloriettta the sun was just about to come over the horizon and that star was still visible, and it was ever BRIGHTER. This got our attention.

After turning south at Las Vegas, the sun was above the horizon and that star was still bright and clearly visible. In fact, it was brighter than the still-visible moon to the west. We were riveted and more than a little befuddled. I made some remark about our proximity to Roswell.

By the time we got to I40, we were getting a tad concerned. A search of the radio and news websites shed no light on the situation. Turning east on 40 put the star right in front of us and dang it... it started getting BIGGER. About an hour into the "chase" on I40, we could finally discern enough detail to reveal that it wasn't a star at all... it was a weather balloon!

We figured because it was so high up that it was reflecting sunlight earlier when we first saw it an hour before daybreak.

Fortunately that was the last anomaly we encountered on the way home.