Oakleaf, you described the need for a triple perfectly! I finally figured out (duh) that the shorter, very steep hills are routine for me, including my own street and driveway. When I read about people doing sustained climbs of 7-8 miles I wonder how they do that, because in my mind they are all at 10% or above. Now i realize those climbs are more like 4-5%.
I am one that prefers to spin up a difficult climb, in the easiest gear possible. Over the course of the season, I do tend to use harder and harder gears on some of these climbs, but I don't feel the need to prove anything. And while I love the feeling of pushing the big gear on a flat, I find one of my knees feels it the next day.
So the granny is my friend. Especially at this time of the year!