What is it about Wisconsin girls that caused all my nephews to marry cheeseheads?

For my second trip to Wausau in as many years, I packed running shoes, of course. I remembered my last trip, when I ran the shady trails of Marathon Park, a 78-acre county park within the city limits, and welcomed the chance to run again under the towering pines.

This time I had company, as my daughter, Lottie, used the wedding weekend to unwind after a college summer session.

Lottie and I laced up the shoes for an evening tour of the Wausau suburb of Rib Mountain. We ran, stiffly at first after our 12-hour car ride, in the bike lane that toured neighborhoods of well-maintained postage stamp yards and matchbox houses.

Fluffy dogs barked and whirled behind chain-link barriers and hedges as we passed by, laughing, talking and glad to have our feet on the ground at last.

The street ended abruptly in a small field and we watched a chestnut-colored deer graze among knee-high grasses and wildflowers.

The next morning, Lottie and I hit the road before breakfast for a run to the town's namesake mountain. At 1,924 feet, Rib Mountain is the third highest point in Wisconsin.

We intended to investigate the trails of Rib Mountain State Park's 1,172 wooded acres. The park boasts hiking and nature trails and rock formations and is, as the Wisconsin Travel Guide reports, "a wonderful place to observe deer, woodchucks and a variety of birds at close range."

Rib Mountain State Park also would be a great place for a road sign, as Lottie and I tried to find the park entrance.

A woman walking her dog directed us to the shortest way to the park, which was through Granite Peak Ski Area.

Granite Peak features a 700-foot drop for downhill skiing and a 700-foot climb for running.

We tried to pick a gentle climb by running through the village of ski lodges and vacation homes at slopeside, finally realizing that the only way up was straight up.

We picked our way over and around boulders, logs and brambles, speculating about what variety of snakes are native to Wisconsin. We ran, walked and gasped our way to the top of the mountain.

At the summit, we followed a trail to an overlook and took in the view as we caught our breath and let our quads recover. Below us lay all of green Wisconsin. Clouds of fog rose over meandering streams and quiet ponds, and dozens of silver silos gleamed in the morning sun.

Lottie and I couldn't linger for long because we had wedding commitments back in town. We chose a wooded trail that led to the park office, where we picked up a map for future reference and for a clue to getting down.

Finally, after studying the map from all angles, we decided to return by the most direct route:-straight down the ski slope.

For our final day of Wisconsin running, we toured the city of Wausau. I looked forward to showing Lottie some of the sights.

We ran across the backwater of the Wisconsin River, crossing on a rickety boardwalk. Ten feet below, fishermen in flat boats cast into the slow-moving water.

We turned toward town and through morning traffic, then into the solitude of Marathon Park.

The park was full of morning smells --- the pine scent of the tall trees, buttery smells of breakfast cooking in the campground and a faint greasy remnant of the previous evening's fried cheese curds wafting from the carnival grounds.

Lottie and I headed to the Riverwalk, a scenic paved trail along the Wisconsin River. The whitewater kayak course on the east shore was silent, waiting for water release to turn the gentle riffles to churning froth.

A picnic assembled in a trailside pavilion and two skateboarders challenged the course in Oak Island Park as we finished our loop and headed across the bridge back to the motel, the car and home.

Saturday, 8 a.m.: Fourth Annual Kids Triathlon, South Park. Age groups 7 to 9 and 10 to 12, benefits Habitat for Humanity. www.pittsburghhabitat.orgSaturday, 8 a.m.: Roaring Springs Liberty Days 5K and 5-Mile Runs, Roaring Spring. Flat out-and-back 5K, challenging 5-mile with downhill finish. 814-224-5101Saturday, 8:30 a.m.: Horsetrading Days 5K Run and Fun Run, Zelienople. 724-453-0176Saturday, 9 a.m.: High and Lifted Up 5K Run and Walk, Union Township. Cash prizes to overall winners, random drawing prizes including hot air balloon ride. Come at 6:30 for hot air balloon launch. 724-658-5858Saturday, 9 a.m.: Citizens Helping Citizens 5K Run and 2-Mile Walk, Indiana. Third race of Indiana County Triple Crown. 724-349-5511, ext. 208Saturday, 9 a.m.: Country Roads 5K, Apollo. Rolling hills. 724-727-2089 or www.washingtontownship.comSaturday, 10 a.m.: Saucony XC Series 2K, 4K, 8K, Frick Park. Choice of distances from flat and fast to challenging. Clinic on training methods at 9 A.M. 724-464-2222Sunday, 7:30 a.m.: Presque Isle Half Marathon, Erie. One loop of scenic and flat Presque Isle State Park. Picnic in Waldemeer Park at 10:30 A.M. 814-774-3209 or www.erie-runnersclub.org or register online at www.Active.comSunday, 9 a.m.: Kayla's Run for SIDS 5K Run and 2-Mile Walk, Baldwin. Over $10,000 in prizes. 412-885-3858Next Wednesday, 7 p.m.: Greenville 5K, Greenville. 724-588-4810Next Thursday, 8 p.m.: Slippery Rock University Under the Lights Run, Slippery Rock. Choice of 1,600 meters, 5,000 meters, 3,200 meter relay. 724-738-2798 or www.rockathletics.com

Summer Sunrise 10K, June 5: Tim Monfre, 3rd Overall M, 35:22; Jon McCullough, 1st 45-49 M, 38:41; Brian Forester, 1st 30-34 M, 43:04Sandy Lake Family and Friends Day 5K, June 12: Malcolm East, 1st 45-49 M, 18:50; Mitch Radella, 1st 35-39 M, 20:15; Terry Reeher, 1st 60-64 M, 28:33Fathers' Day 5K, June 20: Sandra Fischer, 1st Overall W, 18:21; Dominic Wyzomirski, 1st 45-49 M, 17:22; Cy Fleming, 3rd 15 & Under M, 18:40; Bob Rock, 3rd 65-69 M, 25:56; Chaz Connolly, 18:55; Tod McDonald, 26:15; Leonard Colaizzi, 28:00; Meridith Colaizzi, 28:00; Greg Fender, 28:52; Michelle Hamilton, 30:30; Vicki Lynn Fender, 31:13; Tracy Kovach, 35:20; Jean Baker, 1:01:50Fathers' Day 10K, Mark Courtney, 3rd 45-49 M, 36:17; Roger Brockenbrough 3rd 65-69 M, 46:36; Margretta Lutz, 1st 70 and over W, 56:40; Matt Doz, 42:14; Bob Miller, 42:19; Jude Thomas, 43:04; Thomas Probst, 49:38; David Bates, 51:05; Darlene Hudak, 51:43; Frank Piedimonte, 55:38; Caroline Monteleone, 56:08; Albert Lane Jr., 59:16; Darlene Miller, 1:20:06; Pamela Alexander, 1:20:09Send comments and suggestions: to: 435 Cherry Valley Road, Saxonburg, Pa. 16056. Phone or fax: 724-352-4395. Email: lotzak@highstream.netPat Neubert is the running columnist for the Butler Eagle.