Put on the brakes a bit.... (Score 1)

You're doing the right thing by joining a local club. Get to know a couple people there - someone will be glad to take you out a couple evenings so you can get familiar with the sky, and perhaps there will be a proficient astrophotographer who can show you their setup and do some imaging before you take the plunge on serious equipment. Many clubs have some "loaner" scopes, and some even have a club observatory with a really nice scope. You'll find the best initial investment is a nice pair of binoculars with a planisphere (basic start chart that changes with date/time) to help you get familiar with the sky. Particularly out in a dark rural area, the sky can become overwhelming and you need to know how to navigate the constellations or you'll quickly become disenchanted because you can't find what you're looking for. But I wouldn't even buy something like binoculars before going to a few meetings and having a couple outings with your club. You'll get much better, more reliable advice than off any internet chat.