a thought, if you are going to bike more in general, but try touring once in a blue moon, consider getting a bike that is lighter than a lht but that can still take front and rear panniers and a reasonable load (lets say 40lbs max).
I mention this opinion simply because if 90% of the life of a bike will be unloaded or lightly loaded, you will have (perhaps I should say "may") have more fun on a more responsive bike, depending on what kind of riding you do, or think you will be doing mostly.
I have a pretty decent road bike already for group rides, organized centuries, and for regular solo rides. So my options now are get a dedicated tourer, commuter, grocery getter, and pull the kids trailer bike or upgrade the road bike (but I was really planning on getting another 8,000 - 10,000 more miles out of my current set up). Plus, having a size 13 foot (on a 60 cm. max frame), I am pretty much stuck with considering a dedicated touring frame if I want my heel to clear a rear pannier.