Life-
Center of the Nations sounds just like 4 Corners of the South West, I am sure my wife will love it :-) My friend recommended a book called 'blue highways' for the little unexpected treasures of America, hopefully it will help us find other areas of interest; book is on order.

AZ-
My wife and I would definately choose the coast highway over route 5. We aren't concerned about the highways' speed and convienence especially over the scenery of the coast as all true road trippers should be :-)

Thanks for the suggestions, keep them coming.