Elk, you know if you can find an older steel road bike that fits you well, you can get it pretty cheap and then put some nice components on it one at a time and make if into something really cool. You can put some wide gearing too for your hills. I see lots of older steel bikes that have been made into fabulous bikes this way. I like the look of an older lugged steel bike with a few well loved dings in it and a good leather saddle, etc. There are tons of them out there in people's garages...sleeping beauties...
dont give up hope!