Thanks for all the feed back...rather than reply to each person here are some thoughts in response to what I've read so far:

- I do enjoy riding the Thorn, but I never have a reason to ride it rather than one of the lighter duty touring bikes...although I probably don't want to admit this I think there is a negative emotional component related to the fact riding it reminds me I am not off on a mega tour in south america.

- I probably should let go of my sentimental attachment to the LHT...although I have had some fun tours on this specific one you guys are correct that it's a bike you can pick up pretty much any time.

- In reply to the thought that I should keep 'em all....I am actually FINALLY!...moving from a downtown apartment to a house with a garage...so that is not out of the question, but I feel like I'm at the point where if I want a new bike I should get rid of an old one...it helps with the cost and it keeps my fleet at a large, but reasonable size...and the reality is I will probably always get 1 new bike each year since the designing a build, building a bike, riding it, photographing it and blogging about it is a part of what I enjoy doing.

- I do have too many touring bikes with racks that could easily do the same general duties. Although they are different, in general, my Thorn, LHT and NWT can all take 4 panniers and haul a reasonable amount of cargo.

- one issue I am starting to have is that I am collecting some really cool, but odd ball bikes...like the Pugsley, Big Dummy, a fixed gear Surly 1x1, folding commuter Bike Friday Tikit, Bike Friday NWT...etc... I have a hard time getting rid of them because they do something unique....I guess what I have to ask myself is do I really need that unique functionality?

Thanks for all the feed back...it's helpful to see where other folks are coming from so I can challenge my own ideas...