Catfish recommended a great book for me to read that I read called "The Touring Cyclist". I don't remember who it was by, but I'm sure if you went to Amazon.com, you'd find the book easily. It really helped me a lot. It goes through all different types of touring. I liked how he even had a part for the "credit card touring cyclist". I found the book to be extremely informative and resourceful. I'd check that book out ASAP.
Koffee