The Chandler PD does a civilian motorcycle training course every now and then. Next one is probably too soon unless you can borrow a bike, next weekend on the 20th.
LINK
I used to live in St George, UT, so am familiar with your area.
I wear a size 12, 47 metric. The Gaerne, Forma, TCX and Sidi are some of my favorites, but your needs and budget will point you in the right direction. Look at Adventure Riding boots to narrow the field. Most have a lug type sole for better traction in loose conditions. Gaerne tends to be wider than some of the other Italian mfg boots. I've had great longevity with both Gaerne and TCX boots in the past and just got my second pair of Gaerne G-Midlands recently. Sadly those are no available in the US now.
Here is the Revzilla page on ADV boots -
ADV Boots
Some basics to consider - Do you need/want waterproof? Wide foot or toe box? Sole type you prefer? Height you prefer? That helps narrow the field a little, then look at the price point that doesn't give you too much sticker shock. It's hard to fix ankles and feet, so wear as much protection as you can be comfortable in. If you're not hard core off pavement riding, you can probably not worry about hinged ankle protection, but you still want some hard puck inserts over the ankle and good heel/achilles protection. I prefer a rigid toe, but others like a soft toe boot.
If you find something you like, do a search here for that boot to see what others are saying about it. If you can't find anything or still have more questions, start a new thread asking for feedback on that specific boot. Odds are others are wearing them or have had them and can help out.
Good luck on the hunt for a bike and gear to protect you when you ride.