newer than newbie question

[fatbottomedgurl]

It sounds like you just want to get out and get a little dirt under your tires! I got started on a $300 (when she was new) diamondback hardtail with all the lower end components that Gary Fisher probably has. That little yellow bike took me all over the place! Sure she's overweight (like me) and didn't have the gearing and plush of my new bike, but I kept up with all my friends on their $2000+ rigs. Let your Schwinn be your in-town bike with skinny high pressure tires. And buy the other bike to get dirty! At that price it's not like you're going to break the bank. You can have a lot of fun on it, and if you get serious and want something better, keep her as a spare for a friend.

[IntenseRide]

I agree with fatbottomedgurl... I also got started on a $350 hardtail because I wanted to ride those dirt roads around the lakes back in Iowa. Try it out, maybe go to the store and thumb through a copy of Bike Magazine for some beautiful photos and inspiration. There are also plenty of good mountainbikes for sale if you look around places like Craigs List, Ebay and your local bike shop or club.