"Not sure if there is something to do associated with Nellis AFB or Yucca Mtn. "
Area 51 ? Don't think so.
I've driven to all these small Nevada towns, Ely,Fallon,Beatty, Death Valley is worth it and your final destination of Tahoe is the best place of all your choices to go to, and I agree, forget about Yosemite, just go look at some Ansel Adams photographs instead.