I don’t quite know why I’ve been obsessed with launching these trolley tours for our community. I realize it’s maybe a bit ... eccentric. But it’s been something I’ve been unable to get out of my head for more than 10 years, even before we moved Volume One and the Local Store into our current building downtown. I suppose it could be a subconscious Mr. Rodgers thing. Some kind of “reaching for my youth,” perhaps. Regardless, after all this time, with tourism in our area at an all-time high and our community continuing to take shape in amazing ways, it seemed the idea was finally ready for departure.

As has been everywhere in the news, the trolley will offer area winery and brewery tours, seasonal and holiday tours, all kinds of special events, plus expansion to Chippewa Falls in 2024, and more. The heart for me though, is the “Signature Eau Claire Tour” – for which I’ve had the basic route drawn up all this time. To get to this launch moment it took a team of talented people here at Volume One, plus help from our friends at the Chippewa Valley Museum, and others. But then it really came together when veteran radio personality George House jumped at the chance to drive it. Now we had something. Learn more about how you can hop on for a ride at ChippewaRiverTrolley.org.

Perhaps the coolest thing about all this that we’re excited to share, is that Eau Claire actually has a very rich and notable history with trollies that makes all this make a bit more sense. My friend B.J. Hollars dug into the wealth of stories with a feature you can find here (or on page 34 of the print issue). Check it out, then consider coming out for a ride this fall. It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood.