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Two trips will have Hill Country Memorial Hospital Passport 55 members enjoying a patriotic play in Kerrville July 9, and just three months later, Oct. 5 – 13, traversing the fall foliage and lighthouse landscapes of New England.

Linda Davis is in charge of the hospital Passport 55 program. “These are two exciting trips,” she said. “As with previous ones, we’ll have fun and enjoy the lower costs and camaraderie of traveling as a group.”

In Kerrville, tour members will first visit James Avery jewelry for a behind-the-scenes peek and a little shopping. Ms. Davis said to bring or wear early pieces of James Avery jewelry. “It will be fun to compare and share memories,” she said.

The group will then enjoy down-home cooking from Billy Jean’s restaurant. The evening crescendo will be the play, 1776, at the Cailloux Theatre, based on the U.S. battle for independence from Great Britain.

Sixty-seven dollars for each person will pay for transportation, dinner, admission fees and gratuities. Reserve a bus seat by calling Ms. Davis at (830) 997-1307.

New England bound

Mike Liston and Steve Gallant, the Passport 55 motor coach operator, have organized a trip to New England. Forget checking luggage at the airport, because Liston and Gallant will pick up the group’s luggage Oct. 2 and hand-deliver it to Buffalo, NY.

The group will fly Oct. 5, with only a carry-on, and rendezvous with Liston, Gallant and their luggage at the airport. The bus will take them to Niagara Falls for a beautiful night view of the national treasure, and the group will return the next morning for a close-up look on the Maid of the Mist.

Vermont’s fall foliage will be a sight to behold in route to two factories—Ben and Jerry’s ice cream and a maple sugar plant.

The coastal town of Belfast, Maine will be their home for the next three nights. Gallant and his sister, Sharon Morse, will show off some of the favorite parts of their home state, including Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor and lighthouses.

The last New England tour stop will be L.L. Bean, Inc., in Freeport, Maine. “Since we won’t be riding the bus home, we can pack it to the gills!” Ms. Davis said.

Liston and Gallant will take group members to the airport the next day and transport their luggage all the way to Fredericksburg for them to reclaim just a few days after arriving home.

The New England trip cost is $2,079 each for double occupancy and $2,490 for single occupancy. The fee includes air fair, airport transfers to and from Fredericksburg, motor coach, hotels, guides, attractions, luggage handling and some meals.

There will be a New England trip preview meeting July 27 at 10 a.m. in the hospital’s first-floor Learning Center B.