Thanks for all the replies and perspectives, mustachians! Surprisingly, the biggest resistance to this idea so far has come from my boyfriend rather than the MMM forum. He does not thinks this is a good idea for me at all, at this point. I won't go into too much detail about his concerns, the point I want to share with the forum being that this has turned out to be an unexpected catalyst for discussion with my boyfriend, which is really valuable. I feel like I try to initiate discussion with him about our finances, our mutual values, our future... all the big, important questions, on various occasions, but without avail (my impression is that he changes the topic). Until now. I hope it is just a beginning.
Basically, my boyfriend is concerned that I want this break because I am tired (which is true!) but he is concerned that I will just indulge doing very little for five weeks (which is likely true), return to work and be just as fed up as before (also likely true)... he basically has concerns that I am trying to run away from dissatisfaction with work and that, while I think I am planning a period in which to "recharge batteries" so to speak, what is actually going to happen is that rather than feeling "recharged", I will feel extra jaded and dissatisfied upon my return.
He doesn't think planning a trip for both of us to the Rockies is feasible. He is self employed and the nature of his work makes is pretty much impossible for him to plan ahead for a specific two week break. He actually thinks that if I do go ahead and take leave, I should plan for something interesting (i.e. travel) on my own rather than just chill at home.
So the whole idea is on hold for a bit. I've agreed there are some things I can and will do to improve my well being aside from taking a leave period.
I have a friend who has a monumental solo travel plan coming up next month. I've basically decided to shelve the idea of my 5-week leave until her return. I'll see how that goes for her. It may prompt me to make my own plans for solo travel. Or not.
In any case, I certainly hope this is just the beginning in terms of important discussions with my boyfriend about expectations, hopes, dreams, etc. It was a can of worms being opened up, but all for the better to have this come up before we actually move in together. We have been dating for over 5-years and I know we truly care about each other... and I also know our communication styles are pretty different and we are still working at understanding each other better.
So, all and all, a successful thought experiment so far.
And definitely some great ideas from the forums about how to travel to the Rockies and where to go once we (or I) are (or am) there.
(Incidentally, with the 100 + lb dog, I have found very limited hotel options that officially allow this pet, though I haven't specifically checked going westward. I know that closer to home, the only chain that generally allows this type of pet is the Super 7 but even then, there are exceptions, such as in Quebec City where there is a weight limit on pets. The dog has come on trips with us and stayed in hotel rooms (both Super 7s), without incident, on 2 occasions. He has also come with us on vacation in homes found on AirBNB, also without incident, except for shedding fur.)
We have done no tent camping yet, with or without the dog. I am very mosquito averse. I would be more open to trying tent camping from this time of year well into the autumn.
Also, I really like the idea of buying a used RV and reselling it at the end of the trip.
All this is leading me to think I should take boyfriend's dog and hit the road, without the boyfriend, for a couple of weeks, in a used RV....)