By Asia Nail
The Truth Reporter
Imagine this: a bus packed with seniors, laughter bouncing off the windows, snacks exchanging hands like gold at a treasure hunt and stories flowing faster than the highway signs they pass. This isn’t just a trip — it is a rolling family reunion. At the heart of it all is Clara Petty, a woman whose gift of hospitality has blossomed into something much larger than she ever planned: the Savvy Seniors Travel Group.
Petty, a proud graduate of the University of Toledo and licensed social worker, didn’t set out to be a travel curator. In reality, she simply wanted to help senior citizens stay active once they retired. “A lot of people retire and don’t have hobbies,” she shares, “and they’re just sitting home. I just wanted to give them something that would keep their bodies moving and their spirits alive.”
So that’s how it began: a wellness program at the Monroe Street Neighborhood Center, where Miss Clara served ever as executive director until she retired in 2022. But like all great stories, this one took a delightful twist.
One day, in casual conversation with some of the women in the program, Petty mentioned that she was going to visit Cleveland’s legendary Karamu Theater. Their eyes lit up. “Plan a trip for us!” they urged. Petty did — and Savvy Seniors was born.
From Wellness Class to Full-Fledged Journeys
Early outings were simple: day trips to Cleveland for a play, or short visits to local attractions. After a while, the group craved more. Overnight stays. Bus rides across states. Long weekends filled with culture, history and camaraderie.
Petty trademarked Savvy Seniors Travel and created an LLC. Why “Savvy”? Because this group wasn’t just busy, they were sharp, stylish, and, yes, a bit sassy too!
Now consisting of more than 150 members, the group once limited only to Toledo residents now includes travel lovers from Michigan, Maryland, Atlanta, Fort Lauderdale and even as far as Colorado. Some even fly in to simply meet the group at their destination. “When you pay for that bus seat,” Clara laughs, “that seat stays empty until you sit in it. We’re waiting on you.”
Why the Bus Matters
Ask Miss Clara why her group prefers buses over flights, and she will provide you with more than one reason.
First, there’s the view. Rolling hills, fields and city skylines roll by like a movie reel. Second, there’s space for luggage — and shopping bags! Seniors aren’t forced to cram souvenirs into the ridiculously small overhead bins. And most importantly, there’s community.
On a bus, strangers become seatmates, seatmates become friends and by the time the bus pulls back into Toledo, they’ve become family.
Travel With a Purpose
Petty is not one to plan trips just for fun. Every trip has a historical thread stitched through it. When the group visited Savannah and Beaufort, South Carolina, they walked through historic slave quarters on Jekyll Island. “Some of the ladies didn’t want to see it,” Petty admits. “But it’s important. They’re trying to erase history, and we need to know where we came from.”
Travel, for Miss Clara, is about more than sightseeing, it’s about soul work. It’s education disguised as an adventure, a vehicle to keep memories alive while creating new ones.
Stories That Stick
Each trip builds a new page in the Savvy Seniors’ scrapbook, but some experiences shine brighter than others.
Take Ms. Williamson, for example. At 88 years old, she joined the group on a trip to Washington, D.C.—her 49th state. That same year, she checked Hawaii off her list, completing her goal of visiting all 50 states before she passed away.
“She had a walker, but she could walk,” Clara says. “The other ladies made sure she wanted for nothing. Even our bus driver, Eric, became family, making sure she was safe.”
And that is the essence of Savvy Seniors: not travel, but how they care for each other along the journey.
Petty has seen unexpected friendships flourish, too. During one trip to New York, two women — Stephanie, from Toledo, and Carol, from Maryland — were matched as roommates. They clicked instantly. Now they coordinate outfits, buy matching shirts, and room together on every trip. “They didn’t even know each other two years ago,” Petty says with a smile. “Now they’re inseparable.”
Joy on a Budget
Petty says she realizes that travel can be costly, but she has mastered the art of balance. She refuses to cut corners on comfort, no sleazy motels, no nosebleed seats at shows. If the Savvy Seniors visit Broadway, they’re sitting in the orchestra section.
Still, she keeps prices reasonable. “I know what it is like to live on a fixed income,” she said. “Some of my ladies will save a hundred dollars a month until they can go on a trip. I never want to price them out.”
One traveler saved faithfully until she could afford her dream destination. Seeing her determination touched Petty deeply. “Someone even offered to sponsor part of her next trip,” she adds, her voice softening. “That’s what a strong community looks like.”
Life Off the Bus
Travel doesn’t end when the group checks into a hotel. Nights are spent playing cards, snacking and laughing into the wee hours in breakfast rooms or lobbies. Skip-Bo tournaments can be as fierce as championship matches. “We just enjoy one another,” Miss Clara shares. “It feels like family.”
The Road Ahead
Petty may be retired, but her travel plans are far from slowing down. Next stop? Memphis. And on the horizon: the group’s first cruise in 2027 with Royal Caribbean. This time, the trip will be open to all ages.
Younger folks are already lining up, pleading with Petty to take them along this adventure. “One girl said she’d carry my bags to come,” Petty laughs. “We really do have the best time.”
She dreams of expanding, perhaps using two buses for popular trips, some of them hosted by her trusty helpers. “We sell out fast,” she admits. “Sometimes there’s a waiting list. But it’s a good problem to have.
More Than Travel
At its core, Savvy Seniors is not just about travel experiences. It’s about relationships, resilience and joy. It’s about rewriting the story of aging, showing that life doesn’t slow down at 60, instead, it simply changes lanes.
“Travel is so good for your mental health,” Petty says. “It reduces stress. It’s what allows you to take a step back from your daily routine and view the world in new ways. And when you do it with friends, it makes the journey that much sweeter.”
Her mission statement says it best: At Savvy Senior Travel, we empower travelers age 60 and over to explore the world with confidence, comfort, and community. We curate enriching experiences that cater to seasoned adventurers, ensuring every journey is accessible, exciting, and unforgettable.
A Gift of Hospitality
Miss Clara’s friends often tell her she has the gift of hospitality. And she does. From checking in on every traveler to making sure the cooler is stocked with juice and water, she treats her seniors with the utmost respect and dignity.
Her bus trips are less like vacations and more like rolling family reunions, where the scenery outside the window is just the backdrop to the real story: connection.
Petty has a saying: I love travel, so I made it my business.
But to the dozens of seniors who have found joy, independence, and friendship through Savvy Seniors, she has given something far greater: a passport not just to places, but to belonging.