In between, there is a wildlife refuge where a family hike can be taken safely on clearly marked trails, lots of scenery and the county park that is considered one of the jewels of Marathon County. Two of the towns in the furthest corner of the county are among the least-populated in a county where most towns are a standard 36 square miles. Hewitt had 508 people in the 1990 census and Harrison had 383. Holsteins probably outnumber people up here where the maples show brilliant colors that are being supplanted by other species such as birches as their leaves become more and more yellow. One maple tree with leaves of eye-catching scarlet can be three feet away from another maple with leaves of vibrant yellow.
Young cattle romp on days that are cool but still comfortable.
Country taverns, sometimes combined with stores, are such landmarks on their own that owners don't always bother to put out signs. Phil's, which used to be Petticoat Junction, has a marquee sign that welcomes customers to a place with no apparent name. Country Crossroads, at the top of Highway Q, has an identifying sign but it's above the bar indoors. A wildflower in their place is the New England aster. Punch your odometer at the intersection of Sixth Street and Highway 52 in northeast Wausau.