Go with the trek, the gearing is better suited (it will be windy as a son of a gun) and you'll appreciate the granny, plus the wheels are better suited so you won't have spoke issues (I'd still get a bike store to check the spoke tensions beforehand, tell them you'll be putting on 25lbs + on the rear)
You won't be needing to do huge distances so I'd go with "more robust" and if you still have the original 35mm tires of the trek, that would help with riding on dirt roads and such (sandy obviously too), if you don't have them still, heck you could just buy some cheap 38s for the trip, will be easier when exploring back roads and lanes.

Have fun, you're from out east so used to wind but be prepared for having it.

PS another fan of bar ends if not on bike, cheap ones will work fine and as mentioned, will give another hand position.