Thank you guys again for all the comments!
I have been backpacking and I greatly enjoy it. I am pretty optimistic about my liking bike touring. In fact, I have been dreaming of my first bike tour since I was a kid!
I currently have an old german steel frame that I have been commuting on for the past four years and I am hoping to turn that into my touring bike. It is a solid bike. However, I will be starting off with just the frame, since my plan is to strip all the old components (that have not been upgraded in probably a decade or more) and rebuild it. So we shall see how that goes... gotta start somewhere!

I have been camping/backpacking/long distance rides by myself, so I am good with myself for company. I guess what intimidates me is staying safe as a lone female on the road. I grew up in a less than safe area, so it might just be past experiences that are making me paranoid, however I believe in being prepared.

Thank you again for all your kind help!
Karie