If you like your Dawes - and I can understand having trouble knowing if you like it with your gearing and your hills - I think your best bet is to look for something like a TA Cyclotouriste/Pro 5 Vis crankset or a Japanese triple. You can still buy brand new chainwheels from TA, though they no longer make the crankarms. Velo-Orange sells the arms, though they're pricey. That's if you can't find something used. Since I like the Reynolds 531 bikes I've ridden, I think it's worth the investment, but it's your bike. (From what you've written elsewhere, you may be more comfortable on a smaller frame, though.)

At one point, I rode up College Hill on my Raleigh Sports; that was maybe 1958. Later, I rode from East Providence to Newport on 49-46 up front and 14-26 on the back, maybe 1984. Today I ride 45-42-28 up front and 14-28 in the back, and most of my riding is in flatland. Some is in RI and NY; hence the triple. Oh to be 30 again! Or even 50.

The best place for clam chowder ever in RI or any other place was my house, when my mom was alive and cooking.