Hello Dale, Welcome to Pipes.
There are many types of Pipes and if you find that you like the Hobby and past time of smoking a pipe, you may want to have a few different pipes.
Now to start out, I would say a MM Corn Cob is a great place to start for a new smoker. Then I would get a nice Briar pipe. If you find that you really like to smoke a Pipe then invest in a nice full size Meerschaum.
Finding a pipe is not always an easy task. there are loads of places to get a nice pipe. One a local B&M (If you have any, I don't)
If you have a local CVS or Rite Aid you can get most times a MM Cob or Dr. Grabow pipe from them. They both smoke very nice and are good starter pipes. I would maybe even get some Carter Hall or Prince Albert pipe tobacco as a good start and can help break in a new Briar pipe. Don't need to buy a Bucket/can try a small package to find out if you will like them or not.
Size of pipe to start out isn't 100% important. a good starting pipe is all that is needed. I started with a Dr. Grabow Omega. and a cob. I now have 26+ Dr. Grabow pipes. There are loads of nice pipes out there. Some swear by Peterson, Stanwell, Savinelli, Tsague and even Nording. However I am someone that likes to offer piratical advice. Get a lower priced pipe and make sure that it is something that you really want to do. It isn't for everyone.
Hope some of this helps and you find Smoking a Pipe enjoyable
James
Adding a post on here that has great info for starters
http://www.botl.org/community/forums/showthread.php/715-Getting-started-with-pipes