Double ditto on staying away from e-bay. You need the support of an LBS. Sometimes it is hard to make them understand that our money is just a green as the male-2%-body-fat crowd, but be persistent!

You say "trails & road." So, you're looking at a hybrid. My advice would be to stay reasonable in terms of price. You may decide that you love the road & want a serious road bike, or ditto the trails. Your hybrid might become your "around the town" bike that you'd outfit with a rack, baskets, etc. (maybe a horn, streamers...OK...just kidding.)

When I was looking seriously (11 years ago, carbon fiber was just being introduced!) I found NO bikes that fit & ended up with custom road bike. I absolutely love it - but before I spent the $$$, I made sure that cycling WAS my passion.