Hang on guys. You've all turned your heads and are chatting up the new girl, but you haven't even asked her vital statistics...
... what Lucille's inseam measurements and height are...
... and you are suggesting moving the seat up and handlebars down?
Sheesh.
Lucille, the fact is, if you have bought a Cannondale touring bike, you have probably lucked into one of the most practical bikes you could come across for the price you paid (whatever that was, and I gather not much).
Touring bikes are the all-rounders of the cycling world, and can be used for touring (obviously), commuting to volunteer work if you get into it, going to the shops, visiting friends, going on picnics, and all sort of other stuff.
It already comes with a rack, so you likely will end up seeking out some panniers or bags that fit on the back.
But let's go back to the basics. The most important aspect of any bicycle is how it fits you. And it is a process that you will probably fuss with for a while before you feel totally comfortable.
Is there a size in inches or centimetres on a label anywhere on the bike (usually at the bottom of the tube that the seat sits in)?
Then let us know how tall you are, and then take a hardcover book, stand up straight against a wall, put the book between your legs and so it is right angles against the wall, move it up so it feels like you are almost sitting on it, and get someone to measure from the floor to the top of the book. That will give us your inseam, and THEN everyone can have their say on whether the bike fits you, whether the seat and stuff needs adjusting, and so on.
And yes! Self sufficiency is a great thing in bicycling... if you can do you own maintenance, you can save a bundle in costs. And if you are that self-sufficient, you will be able to ride across the country without a mechanical care in the world (well, almost).
You're obviously capable of using the internet, so look up
www.sheldonbrown.com and explore his various articles, then look up
www.parktool.com and explore that site for tips on how to do things and what you will need.