Some replies...
Re: NO East Coast: Since I live in Central Canada - the east coast is only 8 hours away. We figured we'll do that "later" ... its easier to get one week off to see Washington is easier than the 3 weeks needed to see drive to California and spend time there.
GPhiLlama Where in Louisiana is that? I'll be New Orleans... and pass through several other cities... (I'm staying a night in either Lafayette or Baton Rouge, can't remember which)
valkyrie In the moutains a lot of it will be the drive... the only mountains I've ever seen were the Smokies in Tennessee back one trip to Florida (the other times, I slept through the area). But we are looking to stop for some hikes in the area... and we're going to some caverns in Glenwood Springs - we'll be hitting the hot springs as well.
Kevlar281 What is chicken fried steak? We're visiting a friend of my mother's in Houston, and i'm going to ask her to make us deep fried chicken (something no one I've ever mentioned it to has ever had) - is it similar?
ktsnake Does the fact we're also avoiding Kansas and Missouri make it any better?
XOMichelle Thanks for all the suggestions! Are reservations really that important in Yosemite? Even if we're there on a May weekday?