Hey Chuck... First of all Congratulations, and second, you've picked a great sport to be curious about if you want to stay in shape for "many years."
A couple of things about your questions... You asked about advise on some of the Local Bike Shops in your area, but didn't specify where your local area is. Also, you make a distinction that you want to be more in to Endurance than Racing, and that is something you're keeping in mind as you look at bikes. I'm not sure how one precludes another. If you are looking for a little more comfort I would understand that... because there are different geometries that do different things for a bike. A more "comfortable" bike is going to have a longer wheelbase and a seat tube that is less steep, where as a more agile bike will have the shorter wheelbase and the seat tube will be more steep (there are more differences between the two but that was offered as an example). But a "racing" bike is not going to be any less capable of endurance, it just may not be quite as plush to ride. But back in my racing days I was logging 500-700 miles a week on my "racing" bike.
It seems like you're doing the right thing by going to multiple shops. It's a really good idea to look around and find a GOOD SHOP while you look for the right bike. A good shop will really help you out as you get in to the sport. A bad shop is going to bleed you of a lot of money.
One suggestion about a bike brand I think you should look at... See if you can find a Felt dealer near you. They are awesome bikes, they look great too. Felt bikes are normally just a bit lower priced than the big 3 (Trek, Cannondale, Specialized) because Felt is relatively new, they don't have the big time reputation. But they are a solid company, Jim Felt is a very accomplished Bike designer.
And please.... don't buy a Cannondale.
Congratulations again Chuck, and I hope you have millions of miles of enjoyment on your new machine...
If you get a chance... Follow a riders return to the bike after a 15+ year "offseason" http://theprodigalcyclistca.blogspot.com/