Cyclocross...looking, searching.

Ok, I know this is a site all about MTB'ing. However, before you disown me, let me tell you the whole story. Where I live (in umm, Illinois) there aren't a lot of great trails right around where I live. I'm not complaining but it just isn't practical to drive 45 minutes to the nearest nice ride every day to train. Therefore, I have come to the conclusion that I need (not really want...MTB'ing is my first and only love)a bike for the road. You say, "well, if you love your mountain bike so much why don't you just ride IT on the road?!?" I have been, the only problem is that it's not really convenient to change your tires for every single ride. And I refuse to waste perfectly good nobbies by sanding them away on rough pavement (especially at like, $50 a set). So, I am sure there are others with more experience than me at this whole cyclocross bike purchasing thing. I choose cyclocross, BTW, because I really, really don't want a roadie bike--long story. Anyway, I was leaning toward a Kona Jake the Snake. Partly because my name is Jake. Partly because I already have a Kona that I really like, and partly because I have no idea what else is out there for a better value/performance.
Sorry for the extremely long/wordy post. Thanks for the input.

fireMountainMan.