OP here. Thanks to all who have posted. I've been pleasantly surprised and very appreciative that so many chimed in with great suggestions. I'll try to summarize my responses to some of the ideas presented, as well as my immediate plans of action. And I'll do my best to be succinct and avoid the TLDR (too long didn't read) syndrome. I posted this both here and on The Paceline so some of the ideas came from over there too.

Got some really promising SPD pedals/cleats--Shimano SPD Clik'R's.

Doug59 suggested these pedals which are supplied with the SH56 multi-release cleats. Here's the best writeup on these that I've found. I'd been aware of these for some time, and actually intended to get some for another bike at some point. I went down to the local REI where they had a demo display set up and tried them out. I have to say that I was blown away by the super-easy clipping in/out with these. The Clik'R pedals claim a ~60% (whatever that means!) reduction in force needed to clip out. They were astonishingly easy to get out of. AND, quite difficult to clip out of accidentally. Coupled with the multi-release cleats I can't imagine anything other than flats that would be easier to disengage from. Proof will be in the pudding, of course, and I'll report back after I've actually done some riding. I will try these out on the trainer and in controlled conditions first. If I have ANY problems with them, I'll put on some flats. Someone suggested about 3K miles on flats should put me where I want to be...and that's probably about right.

Learn to fall

Several people have suggested various ways to go about this and it makes total sense to me. GravelMN posted a great detailed description of one way to approach it:

"If you fall from a failed unclip or otherwise, DO NOT put your hands out. Your best bet is to keep your hands on the bar and to tuck your chin toward your chest on the side away from the fall. Your hip, ribs and shoulder will take the impact which will spread the force out over a much greater area than the bones of your wrist and forearm. You can practice this in a number of ways. One of the best is to find a grassy area with a moderate slope. Stand sideways to the slope so you will be falling uphill. Bend your knees slightly and hold your hands out in front of you as if you were about to pass a basketball. Focus on keeping your hands still while you turn your head slightly away and tuck your chin then allow yourself to fall sideways. Exhale as you land. You'll be surprised how little it hurts. If you can get a bit of a roll from your hip to your shoulder, the impact will be even less. If you have access to a gym with a floor mat, that is also a great place to practice."

I may even go to a martial arts studio and get some lessons!

General Road Riding Skills/Awareness

Many have posted on this and it's right up there equally or more important to any mechanical problems/solutions. I do attend training sessions at a cycling studio and my "coach" and I have talked about some private sessions/lessons/drills for developing proper skills, awareness, etc. I'm going to do this ASAP.

There is also a local organization, the New Mexico Touring Society, that I've joined and they offer group rides at all levels in a regular (like 4-5 days per week!) that will probably help a lot.

A Couple More Things

I WILL use flats if I can't or until I do get really comfortable with clipless. I was going to go this route anyway but the SPD Clik'R's may prove to be just the right gradient. I'm not sure whether it's pride or stubbornness (if there's any root difference between those two), but I hear those who suggest that those might at play here! I will say that one of the motivations I had for going clipless in the first place was that I was experiencing some problems with my feet bouncing right off the pedals when hitting a bump at "speed" (relative term here...). Probably another matter of technique.

I'll use the Speedplays for the days when I use the CompuTrainer at the cycling studio. I like the stiffness and feel of the road shoes and long-term would like to have that option. (Here's link to P2M in case there are any local BF members interested. BTW, if there ARE any local guys, feel free to get in touch!).

Thanks again to everyone. I'll update this thread as I get results on these plans. I know I tend to go on, but at this point I guess it's just the way I roll. Hopefully all these great points will end up being a positive contribution to clipless archives and help out others looking into the subject.

STP