RedRider2009, I think you will find lots of great information about touring on this forum, but the issues you are talking about really are probably not about touring, they are about your transition into adulthood and how you and your family are handling it. If you weren't having this issue with your family around bike touring, you would be having it around something else - going to college, a job or a girlfriend, whatever. Don't be surprised if your mom won't listen to "reason" because whatever it is you are talking about on the surface, the real conflict is around you becoming and adult and your family learning a new way to relate.

That said, www.AdventureCycling.org produces maps for touring cyclists, which are very useful, and the offer self-supported and car-supported tours. But, maybe even better, they offer a course on learning to tour. And, there's one near you, next month.

http://www.adventurecycling.org/tour...=144&t=EDU&p=2

I see it has a wait list right now, but you could CALL (not email) and see how many people are on it, and what your chance of getting in is. Perhaps you could take the class? You would learn a lot, your parents would be reassured that you knew exacly what you are getting in to, and it's a little touring too. It's not very expensive.

Also, check out the map section, they have some roads mapped out near you:
http://www.adventurecycling.org/routes/northlakes.cfm

Good luck with all that. Family is really important, please don't do something that cuts you off from them. If you can't tour this year, you have many years ahead of you to do it.

Peace.