Dont get yourself knotted up in the 26/700 debate. I recently had a custom frame built for day tripping/commuting/touring and agonized endlessly over the wheel size. I, too, am vertically challenged and in the end I had my frame done for 26", almost solely for the height/stand over reason. 'Twas such a relief when I made peace with that.
Cant give you any Surly advice though.
Have fun with it.