I think everyone learns they A minor Pentatonic and the A Ionian scales first, so that's not a problem, but be aware of the other keys/scales. I don't know half of them by heart honestly, but I did find it's easy to stick to one key because it's familiar to you.

I wish I had five hours a day to practice! I actually wished I hadn't pissed away the time when I did have five hours a day to practice. But the bills need to get paid, so I'm lucky to get two hours a day when I'm not jamming with the band (then I get five hours!). Keep it up while you can. Now as far as the Garcia influence. If he's your main influence then that's cool, but you've got to have other influences. You'll pick up pieces of everyone you listen to reguarly over the years.