Thomas Reid Chicken

Driven by the duty to deliver, seduced by the deal of the century, I loaded up the Time Machine early Saturday morning in preparation for a veritably epic trek.
Destination: Thomas Reid Farms in Langley. I'd only seen their website, where they offer boxes of cornish hen for $50. I'd done some loose math and worked it out to about $2.50/lb... for certified organic, free range, locally family-farmed chickens! This kind of deal demands a pilgrimage.
Arriving at King George Station, via Skytrain, avec bicyclette, I donned my Viking suit and ventured into the unknown in pursuit of pillaged poultry (at $2.50/lb, I almost feel guilty about taking so much chicken).
I cycled under persistent Fraser Highway rainfall, through the Green Timbers Urban Forest. I cycled down the steep hill past Fleetwood Centre, up the gentle slope beyond the Surrey Golf Course... into the trough of Surrey's farmland, back up the hill to old Langley City. Turning left at the new Casino, I turned onto 56 ave, past the Langley Bypass, past the Langley Airport, into the Agricultural Land Reserve, into the land of the Lord.
I was taken into a lush, idyllic shire... a land of meadows and mist, of cow patties and gravel lanes, and gently rolling hills. These did not feel so gentle on my return, with 30lbs of tiny chickens hanging on my back wheel.
Just over the creek, past Clovermeadow and Wagonwheel Crescents, I saw the sign: Certified Organic Thomas Reid Farm, turned the corner, and found no storefront. I found chicken houses and pastures, for sure, but nothing but sheds and farmhouses otherwise. I called the number on the website, and was answered with simply, "Hello?"
"I'm trying to get to Thomas Reid Farm. I made an appointment with Brad earlier in the week - I'm looking for organic cornish hens."
"Brad will be home in a few minutes, just come on up the driveway."
I cycled into the basketball court of a family home with teenage boys, and their mother greeted me at the door. "Hi, I'm Karen..." she saw my bike in the driveway and the bicycle helmet on my head... "you want a whole case?"
She led me inside to sit me down to a fantastic cup of tea, and hear about my trek from North Vancouver. Her eldest son David soon entered the room, apparently still a little worse for wear from Friday night. "You came all the way from North Van?? You're crazy, man. Next time you want some chicken just let me know, I'm out there alot diving and climbing." Maybe we can work something out -- but I'd definitely tip a man generously, who would bring me this much great poultry for $50. Brad finally came in, with a bluetooth on his ear and a large box of chicken held by zapstraps in his hand. "I heard you biked in all the way from North Van, so I brought you the biggest box I have. 13.9kg."
My jaw drops at the sight of 17 individually wrapped and cleaned, healthy little chickens. After a moment's awe and reverence, I pull a single red bill out of my wallet, and incredulously hand it to Brad. Thanks were exchanged, and I had to fight the urge to tell him how much more he could charge. $50 for 17 hens... less than $3/hen... just under $4/kg, about $2/lb. Significantly more weight than I'd budgeted for... I couldn't believe that the primary protein for up to 17 meals would only cost me $50. Produced by a local family in a natural, ethical way... and all guests would agree, delicious. The real star of this meal was Thomas Reid Farm. Thank you.