I recommend the following from my first touring experience to a state park about 50 miles away (YMMV):

-Pack for EVERY eventuality, then double it (using a trailer is a must). Think you'll need a screw driver? Bring 2 (one might break)... One bicycle pump? HA! Bring a pump for the pump... Your tool bag should weigh anywhere from 20-35 pounds.
-Be MACHO! Tell your riding partner that you can "carry it all" and "of course bring a hair dryer!"
-Pillows. Bring ALL the pillows, regular pillows, queen size pillows, body pillows, neck pillows, what ever she wants.
-Arrive hours after your projected time to the park and in the dark if at all possible.
-Take control of the entire "set-up process". Be as methodical and fussy as you can here because "haste makes waste". It is ESPECIALLY important to put off resting and eating until every last detail is correct (IMPORTANT: refuse ALL help).
-Wet wood for fires. Trying to start a fire with wet wood builds character. NEVER buy "seasoned" or "kiln dried" wood.
-Be as grumpy as possible. Surly even.

I'm an experienced camper but inexperienced with touring. My first tour was quite a wake-up call but I'm hooked! My next tour, in November, we'll be travelling MUCH lighter and sharing the load (though she doesn't know it yet ).

I enjoy the activity of camping itself and the hiking and exploring are icing on the cake. It CAN get boring, but that's what naps are for. Anyway, enjoy being away from the city and really try to find beauty in your surroundings. Not all parks are created equal but I always try to find parks that: allow camp fires, allow alcohol, have areas with and WITHOUT electrical hook ups, have either a river or hiking trails and are off the beaten path.

Bon Voyage!