Help with vacation ideas

As much as I like to promote the beauty of Colorado, by the time the Balloon Festival is over, most of the leaves will have changed and dropped. I think I'd head east to Arkansas and explore the Ouachita and Ozark National Forests. Some great state parks to camp in. The Talimena Scenic Drive, Crystal Bridges museum in Bentonville, Pea Ridge NMP, Eureka Springs, Lake Ouachita, Blanchard Springs Caverns are all worth some time. (Talimena and the road into Eureka Springs may not be the best choices for your rig, but drop it and drive in with your truck.) Then head north into Missouri and explore the Mark Twain NF, Branson, etc. The leaves will typically be coming into their peak about that time.

Keep in mind that the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta is the first part of October. Watch the weather if you want to travel to any high mountain areas.

What sorts of things interest you? Who all is the "we" who are going--adults, kids, pet porcupines, ...? A few hints like that help a lot in making relevant suggestions.

Chaco Canyon, Bandolier NM and Los Alamos are very interesting places to visit. Also Las Vegas, NM.

Head up 25 to Colorado Springs and do Pikes Peak

You could head to Denver and see Estes Park Colorado then on the way back go through Oklahoma and Missouri. Stop in Amarillo and drive south to Palo Duro Canyon State Park. In OK - see the Oklahoma City Memorial, the Cowboy Hall of Fame, if you like military musuems the 45th Infantry Museum. Then in Springfield see the Fantastic Caverns (ride through on jeep).

We love the Taos area, I even just got back form a ski trip there, about a 2 hour ride from Albuquerque. Not sure which way you want to head but we visited Dodge City Kansas before our stop in Taos

What route are you taking home? That would help. Or... there's plenty to explore in the Santa Fe/Taos area.

Lots of stuff to see along Route 66.

We went to the Festival a few years ago - great fun and amazing to see. Note: most of the vendors there will bargain!

Not looking at a map at the moment, what comes to mind for me is can you make a circle route out of it? I also go on line and order the travel and tourism guides for the states we will travel through. They always have area specific maps for the regions they cover and local points of interest, along with all the campgrounds listed, both private and public, which is really helpful. Do that and have them on hand to browse through in the evening and figure out what things you would like to see. Old town ABQ is worth a trip into, great food offerings and shopping.