Why don't you go to the AMA web site and search for clubs....I'll bet that there is a club closer to you than you know.
Why a club...because there is lots of knowledge there...you'll get answers to questions you didn't even know you had. There are friends there you haven't met yet, good friends.
We are telling you this because we want you to be sucessful and enjoy the hobby.
Learning by yourself can be expensive, and aggrivating.
A high wing trainer as a first plane with an instructor is 95% succesful.
Good Luck