Bike WA to VT, Write History: McIntosh, Minnesota

1,616 miles

Feb 29 – The town of McIntosh was named for a Scotsman from French Canada who lived for years on the White Earth Indian Reservation. It sounds like he acted as a trader among the Métis, and here he started a general store. It seems that Canada was overflowing with enterprising Scotsmen!

rough blazing star flowers

The surrounding area is a mesic prairie. I thought I was familiar with prairie land, most recently in Saskatchewan, but the term “mesic” was new to me. It means simply “moderate” or “middling”, neither very wet nor dry.

Mesic prairies can be very luxuriant habitats, with a profusion of flowering plants and grasses of different heights, so the overall effect is that of a layered environment like an English country garden. Along with grasses, wildflowers bloom here, such as purple prairie clover, prairie phlox, rough blazing star, and stiff sunflower.

wildfire in prairie grass

Mesic prairies are considered fire-dependent communities, meaning that they depend on frequent fire for their continued existence. In the absence of frequent fire, mesic prairies are invaded by trees and shrubs, and in time will become forests.

Mesic prairies were once the dominant vegetation type in southern and western Minnesota, but since the time of European settlement they have been largely replaced by agriculture.

In the winter, McIntosh offers several ways to enjoy the outdoors. Chicog Wildlife Management Area is open to exploration by snowshoe and cross country skiing. The Polar Beach Snowmobile Club sponsors and maintains the trails around McIntosh and the route snowmobiles need to take traveling through the city.