Get a gravel bike.
Good question. I have a 700c Surly Disc Trucker which I use as a gravel bike for long distance. It is pretty comfortable but I want much more give in the tires. I'm pretty sold on the Ti Ora frames that BD sells and don't like the geo of their plus bike. A friend loves his Cutthroat and has raced the Tour Divide with it but I'm looking for more upright position. Arthritic hands and all. Getting older sucks. Guess I like the idea of having a bike with the ability to go fat or plus. I go to Colorado almost every year to cross country ski and might take it with me.