Thanks for the suggestions - and laughs! I have to say that the west coast probably has it as I'd like ot make the most of the time there (and rather not be on the road too much). The following is first cut of our trip plan.... comments?
1.because it is still winterish in the north i thought the first place to go would be joshua tree while it's not too hot. then we sort of drift north as it warms up...
2.then red rocks
3.then bishop (which has a whole bunch of different crags and styles)
4.possibly moab and tour of indian creek and environs
5.Colorado
6.possibly yellowstone just for the beauty of it all.
and then.......
gulp!....7. yosemite!