Check out the Salsa Cutthroat. It’s a cross between a gravel bike and an XC Mountain bike, and would allow you to ride gravel roads and also light MTB trails.
Drop bars, can fit 2.4” tires on 29” wheels, can add a 100mm front suspension fork.
https://salsacycles.com/bikes/cutthroat/2019_cutthroat_force_1