I'm wondering if Knubblo didn't purchase a keyboard and the desktop icon isn't on the start menu, how can he get to the desktop to follow the step by step direction given in the link to the TechNet blog. I have put a "Desktop" icon on my start menu but I'm not certain it is in the apps list. He didn't state what model Surface he has.
It's in the "all apps" list, AKA apps view. (@Anyone else reading this: On the Start Screen, swipe up from a blank spot to get to apps view. The desktop tile should be listed there alphabetically. Long-press and choose "Pin to Start.")
Barring directly booting into desktop mode, there are only three ways to get to the desktop that I know of, once you boot into a Win8/RT device: open a desktop application (e.g. Word), type 'desktop' into the search charm, or through the Metro tile assuming you pin it back onto the Start Screen.
As for booting to desktop mode, let's say OP can't find the desktop tile and is in the Start Screen. Just use the search charm for "taskbar" and select Taskbar and Navigation. That sends you directly to the option dialog.