Hey Mark, thanks for the awesome detail with those alternate mountain routes - I checked it all out map wise and even found some great sites on the net, including Mono Hot Springs - bloody beautiful spot that is !!
I think now though, after talking over the options with my fiance, we are opting more toward the coastal route... you're right about the beaches in Oz, but, after looking at pics on the net of the Pacific Coast Hwy, I think it has just as much to offer and will be just as rewarding. We will have been to Yosemite, which as far as I know, offers much the same scenery as Sequoia, except the trees are not as big !! ...thanks mate.

Hey Larrison... thanks for the online map insight !! - I'm with you on the 'got to get out of the car and walk around stops' !! That's a great break down of driving time for me. I'm just dissapointed now that we don't have another day to take in all that great stuff that you mention there. Unfortunately our schedule is already booked and can't be moved. The worst thing is that it will actually be on a Friday afternoon that we are driving back down into LA - traffic will be chaos !!

G'day BlueHighways... thanks for the heads up on the Balloon thing. I checked out the site - looks to be spectacular... it was a great suggestion, thanks. It would be out of our way though, and we don't have time unfortunately to deviate there. Thanks heaps for the wedding wishes too !! Hey if you and hubby are in the same spots at that time look out for us - I'll be the one driving on the wrong side of the road !! ...have a great trip !!