The Windsor Touring from BikesDirect.com at $599 delivered would probably fit your needs. Three of us rode the Trans America on them and were happy with the choice.

A used bike is another option.

I'll suggest that two of my articles and one of my journals might be useful to you. The articles are about frugal touring and light weight touring, and the journal is about our group of three riding the Trans America as our first tour in 2007.
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/staehling2007
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/frugal
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/Ultralight

Edit:
I should have also mentioned that it is a good idea to figure out what you will be carrying and choose baggage and bike to suit the load.