Landlord in the Arctic

Chapter 295 - 246: The Ranch

Alaska boasts not only vast natural landscapes but also abundant natural resources, including oil, gold, timber, and fisheries. These resources make Alaska one of the most important resource-producing states in the United States.

Animal husbandry is also a key component of its agricultural economy, though the land available for it is relatively limited since most of the state is covered in ice and snow.

However, it plays an irreplaceable role in local meat self-sufficiency and the export of specialty livestock products.

The Mackenzie Autonomous Town, for instance, is an agricultural community focused primarily on cultivation and animal husbandry.

The beef Feng Mountain had eaten at the Smokehouse BBQ restaurant came from this very town.

Reaching the Mackenzie Autonomous Town required taking a ferry from the pier to cross Tanager Bay.

When Feng Mountain arrived at Anchorage Pier, a large number of vehicles had already gathered, all waiting for the ferry.

Most of them were trucks, however. According to White Bird, they were all headed to Mackenzie to transport vegetables and meat products.

The process, however, was not as smooth as one might imagine.

The majority of the time was spent on just two things: waiting for the ferry and boarding it.

While waiting for the ferry, time seemed to stretch on, with every minute feeling exceptionally long.

The drivers could only pace back and forth along the pier or find a place to sit, passing the time by staring blankly at the bay.

When the ferry finally did arrive, the boarding process was incredibly slow due to the sheer number of vehicles.

The vehicles inched forward in a long line at the edge of the pier.

Drivers sat in their seats, creeping forward with the queue and periodically hitting the Brake to avoid rear-ending the vehicle in front.

Staff members shouted directions from the side, striving to maintain order and ensure every vehicle boarded safely.

White Bird drove the taxi slowly forward in the line, just barely managing to squeeze onto the ferry as one of the last vehicles.

With a low rumble, the ferry slowly started moving, gradually pulling away from the pier and into the 3.5-kilometer-wide Tanager Bay.

Seeing that the ferry was moving steadily, Feng Mountain opened his car door and stepped out.

He walked to the ship’s railing, placed his hands on it, and began to admire the view of the bay.

A gentle sea breeze drifted by, carrying the distinct salty scent of the ocean. It lightly tousled Feng Mountain’s hair and tugged at the hem of his clothes, feeling wonderfully refreshing and pleasant.

A few seabirds occasionally flew by, following in the ferry’s wake. They spread their white wings, soaring high one moment and swooping low the next, searching for fish startled by the vessel.

Loki, perched on Feng Mountain’s shoulder, watched the seabirds tirelessly searching for food and snorted out a single, disdainful word.

"Trash!"

As the ferry’s whistle blew again, Feng Mountain could see the pier on the opposite shore gradually drawing closer.

"Sir, we’re about to dock. You should get back in the car," White Bird called out, leaning his head out the window.

Feng Mountain got back in the taxi. As a staff member blew a whistle, the other drivers who had been outside stretching their legs all returned to their vehicles.

The ferry lurched once and then came to a stop.

The ramp at the stern lowered slowly, making a mechanical whirring sound as the heavy platform settled onto the pier.

And now, the taxi’s position as the last vehicle to squeeze aboard turned out to be an advantage.

Being near the stern meant it was closest to the ramp. Taking advantage of this, as soon as the ramp was fully lowered and traffic was allowed to proceed, they could be the first to drive off, leading the way onto the road to the Mackenzie Autonomous Town.

Upon entering the Mackenzie Town area, Feng Mountain looked out the window to a picturesque, pastoral winter scene unfolding before him.

As far as the eye could see, there were vast expanses of farmland, pastures, and rows of greenhouses.

Unfortunately, the farmland that should have been teeming with life was now blanketed in heavy snow.

Yet, even beneath the thick blanket of snow, faint traces of green were still visible.

Although there were no herds of cattle and sheep grazing in the pastures, the silvery, snow-covered landscape had a unique charm of its own.

"Sir, which ranch are we heading to? Do you have an appointment?" White Bird asked, glancing over while keeping a hand on the Steering Wheel.

"An appointment?" Feng Mountain paused, a flicker of confusion on his face. "Why would you need an appointment to visit a farm?"

’I really hadn’t considered that. In my experience, you can visit most farms whenever you want. I never expected the farms and ranches in Mackenzie Town to have a rule like this.’

"That’s right. You can’t visit the farms and ranches in Mackenzie Town without an appointment," White Bird explained patiently. "It’s to prevent too many tourists from showing up when the owners aren’t prepared, which would disrupt the farm’s normal operations. It also helps prevent the introduction of viruses that could harm the livestock and cause losses."

’I see.’

Feng Mountain nodded in understanding.

’I was originally planning to visit HanaPaw Ranch, since the waiter at the restaurant said all their beef comes from there.’

’This is a bit of a problem. Since I didn’t make an appointment, I probably can’t go to Hana Paw Ranch now.’

Just then, White Bird offered an enthusiastic suggestion.

"Sir, if you don’t have a specific destination in mind, I can take you to Horned Ranch. It’s not as famous as the larger ranches, but its meat products sell quite well in Alaska. And best of all, you don’t need an appointment."

"To Horned Ranch, then."

For Feng Mountain, which ranch he visited didn’t matter. The important thing was getting inside to take a look.

’Especially now, with more and more people staying at the camp, our daily food and drink consumption is rising. The Crown Territory is in a remote location, and all our supplies depend on Tom flying back and forth. The money we’re making isn’t even enough to cover the shipping costs.’