Quick update:
After the shingles diagnose, I went to DE and basically laid down and drank tons of fluids. Probably 14 hours a day of sleep.
Doc gave me cautious go-ahead--1 lap at a time--and so I went. I'm writing a recap of the experience and will publish here shortly (along with more pictures). But here's a few pics of the journey from the beginning to the end:
Full recap soon.