Sounds like a great thing to look forward to. Personally I'd probably enjoy the planning and preparation as much as the actual touring. I seem to get a kick out of that for some reason. I was surfing a site over the weekend and came across a fellow in California that started in Southern Cal and had worked his way up to Alaska and parts beyond. Lots of pictures with captions to go along with it-like a documentary of sorts. I'll see if I can find the link.
Based on his experiences it probably helps to be a decent mechanic-especially fixing wheels....Also if you plan to camp I hope you can enjoy a pretty basic meal plan!! I'd be right there with you but I've got to get my kids out of college first...