Hey welcome to nut house. When you get a second hop on over here:
http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=7 and post an intro so we can get to know you a touch. As for your options I would say to at least let the pipe rest for a few hours. I also think that you may want to consider a couple of cob pipes if you are concerned with burning out your nice pipe. A lot depends on how you smoke, and what you smoke. Some will tell you that you must only smoke a pipe once a day. Some real purists say once a week. I personally feel that as long as the pipe has cooled and has been dried up and swabbed with a cleaner or two then you are good to go.