Thank you, thank you, thank you! Your reply was the kick-in-the-ass I needed. Lots more homework was required, and you got me to start digging. Needless to say, I feel quite a bit more informed, and feel i have made a much wiser purchase. I was looking at a new Orbea ALMA- but wasn't available until October. Screw that- NEXT! So, with a little determination, I found a brand spanky new Surly Krampus in Delaware.  Super cool bike shop ( kudos Garrison?s Cyclery!) were nice enough to ship it to N.H. for me. It is all put together, and waiting for spring in New England to arrive. Can't wait to get some bags to throw on it,and get out there.
Your kind, informative response is very much appreciated. Thanks SO much. (yeah, I went a tad over budget.... big deal)

Pushing 60 and retiring soon. Mainly a road cyclist, but I?ve become interested in bikepacking. Several times a summer, I backpack with one son, and go to  a mtn.bike parks  with another (he shreds, I dial it back considerably). With an RV on the way, my wife and I will have access to the whole country! Basically, I?m not willing to go all in ($) on a first bike- if I get seriously hooked, I?ll upgrade. I?m definitely going with a hard tail, and don?t want to spend more than $2000. I?m pretty much set on getting the Giant XLR 29?r. Yes, there?s dozens of others that are equal or better- but are there any solid reasons why this wouldn?t be an acceptable entry level bike to get my feet wet. Most rides will be in the 2-4 day bracket, dirt roads, some singletrack, 20-30 mile a day stuff. Will have to tame rides with my wife down a bit, but will crank up the difficulty a bit when riding with buddies. Nothing crazy tho- those days are in the dust. Also, I?d be using this at a bike park now and then.
Any help, opinions, thoughts are welcomed. Thanks in advance!