Welcome
Meet your host:
Zachary
Welcome to Rooted Land Co. I’m Zachary. My goal is simple: give couples a quiet place to reconnect with each other and experience life on a mountain farm. During your stay you’re invited to gather eggs, explore my property, enjoy the river, harvest seasonal produce, and slow down for a few days in nature.
In this welcome packet you will find all of the information for your specific home and the property. If you have any questions during your stay please feel free to reach out at 703-405-1291.
Driving & Arrival
Directions
Address:
2410 Graves Mill Road
Madison, VA 22727
You will drive approximately 2.5 miles down Graves Mill Road, look for the wooden ‘Rooted Land Co’ sign on the righthand side of the road. The entrance requires a sharp right turn onto the private bridge.
Once onsite follow the signs to your respective tiny homes. Hilltop Cottage, Sunset, and Valley View Cabins are to the left at the garage intersection. Meadow’s Edge and Riverside Cottages are both to the right at the farm garage. Signage will guide you to each home.
There is a 10 mph speed limit on the farm to prevent road damage, dust, and injury to animals (both chickens and deer.)
Farm Map
House Guidelines
Check-in: 3:00 pm
Check-out: 10:00 am
What IS Provided:
1. All linens, towels, paper products, dishes & dozens of utensils.
2. Basic cooking supplies - oil, salt & pepper, ground coffee, tea, sugar, and coffee filters.
3. Propane for the outside grill.
4. Shampoo and body wash.
5. Cleaning supplies (should you need during your stay.)
6. Fresh eggs daily.
7. One bundle of firewood, fire-starters and lighters for the firepit. (Firewood is provided for the wood burning hot tub at Riverside.)
What YOU should bring:
1. K-Cups if you prefer a certain flavor.
2. River shoes or water socks for wading the river.
3. Bug spray in the summer months.
WIFI
wifi network: RLCGuestWifi
password: rapidanriver
FAQ’s
Front door lockbox for Hilltop, Meadow’s Edge, and Riverside.
I will email the lockbox code prior to your arrival.
1. To UNLOCK: Enter the 4 digit code into and press down on the lever.
2. A keychain with a key is located inside the box.
To unlock the door, turn the key and press the handle DOWN. To lock the door, lift the handle UP first, then turn the key.
Front door lock for Sunset and Valley View.
1. To UNLOCK: Enter the 4 digit code into the electronic keypad and hit the check mark.
2. To lock the door press the Yale logo.
Garbage disposal
The kitchen sinks do not have a garbage disposal in the sink. Please use the sink strainer and do not dispose of any large food products down the drain.
HVAC/ MINI SPLIT
Each mini-split unit has its own remote control thermostat, located on the wall near each unit.
Window blinds
Each tiny home has blackout windows. Gently pull down on the cord to lower the blinds. To raise the blinds, gently pull the roller as far as it will go, then hold the cord as you raise the shade.
Toilets & septic system
Each house utilizes a septic system and it can only process normal toilet paper. DO NOT flush wipes or other products as it will cause an immediate pump back-up and ruin your stay!
Outdoor lights
The outdoor lights are provided for your safety and comfort, however, please do not keep outdoor lights on overnight. The outdoor lights attract bugs and also impact the neighbor's nighttime views. Thanks in advance!
Amazon Fire TV
An Amazon FireTV is located in each tiny home. Login to your Amazon account to access the TV.
Well water
The tiny homes utilize water from a nearby well. The water is safe but does taste different than treated city water. A brita is provided for your convenience.
Stove/hot plate
Be careful to NOT turn on the hot plate by accident. Turn on stove by using the power button, then select which burner and temperature setting (1-9) to use.
Garbage/recycling
A large trash bin is located behind each tiny home. Please place all trash and recycling in this bin. I sort recycling at the county waste center. I must hand carry trash to a local center so please ensure ALL trash is bagged.
If you are staying for longer than one week I will coordinate a time with you to collect the trash and refresh towels & paper products if needed.
Local Restaurants
Many local restaurants close Monday - Wednesday and have seasonal hours. Please check restaurant hours and menu ahead of your arrival. A list of our guest’s favorite dining locations may be found HERE.
Explore the Farm
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![An egg carton with various colored eggs and a note that says "Welcome to the farm!" on a wooden surface.]()
Gather Fresh Eggs
Eggs are available for each guest during your stay.
Gathering fresh eggs
I encourage guests to gather eggs from the coop. There are a few rules with the coop:
Never open the coop if it is locked without first asking.
Gather eggs from the laying boxes, careful, chickens might peck if you reach under them, but they rarely do.
Egg baskets are provided in the coop.
Washing fresh eggs
Farm fresh eggs have a natural protective layer that allows them to stay fresh at room temperature for up to 25 days. However, once this layer becomes wet the egg must be used rather quickly. Wash your eggs just before cooking and be sure to keep them dry until then.
Does it float?
I recommend testing each egg to determine if it is safe to eat. Placing an egg in a bowl or glass of water will help to determine this. If an egg floats (bacteria or hairline cracks cause this) it means it is not good to eat! Toss it.
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![A vegetable garden with raised beds containing leafy greens and other plants, surrounded by wood mulch and fencing, with mountains and cloudy sky in the background.]()
Vegetable Garden
Pick it yourself
The garden is self-serve. Feel free to enter the garden and gather produce during your stay. Vegetable bins are provided on the table next to the garden gate. *Produce is seasonal.
Pick only ripe produce
The garden must feed several guests each month. To ensure that each guest is able to enjoy the garden please only pick enough produce for your stay - try to avoid waste and picking unripe vegetables and fruit.
Have questions?
Please don't hesitate to ask questions. I am happy to help identify ripe produce, discuss proper harvesting techniques, or just talk gardening!
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![A woman with curly dark hair sitting on a bench in a minimalist room with a wooden wall, wearing a beige sleeveless top and brown pants, looking thoughtfully to the side with sunlight casting shadows on the wall.]()
Cut Flower Garden
Pick your own bouquet
The flower garden is open to all guests. Cut flowers for your onsite bouquet. Be careful of bees and google proper cutting techniques if unsure how to properly cut flowers.
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![Private fishing on the rapidan river at Rooted Land Company Airbnb.]()
Fishing
You may fish from the banks of the farm property without a fishing license. Fishing tackle is provided upon request. Our stretch of the river contains sunfish, smallmouth bass, river chub, and the occasional brook trout in the winter months.
Hiking Trails
There are several ‘hiking’ trails on the property but these are not maintained to the same standards as the national park. From May through November they will grow over with vegetation. The trails on the farm are very rugged and steep, but are available to guests to explore the property. I recommend that each guest visit Graves Mill Trail – a very easy but enjoyable trail in Shenandoah National Park that is just 5 minutes from the farm.
Before You Leave
Before you leave please…
Check the fridge for any leftovers. Discard any unwanted food.
Please load and run the dishwasher. Cleaning pods are located under the sink.
Place any remaining bagged garbage in the trash bin behind the house.
Do not worry about stripping the beds or gathering towels.
Check for any remaining personal items and log out of your FireTV account (if applicable.)
House and Farm Rules
Please review the following house guidelines:
No smoking, vaping, or marijuana use indoors. Smoke what you’d like outside the house ($250 cleaning fee for any smoking/vaping incident.)
No parties or events.
Pets are NOT allowed on the property.
Two (2) adult guests maximum.
10 mph on the farm roads at all times
Security/Damage Deposit
Your deposit for security shall be refunded provided the following provisions are met:
No smoking or vaping occurred.
No damage or loss to property.
Check-out instructions abided by.
Occupancy limits observed.
Enjoying the Farm Safely
The property is part of the natural Blue Ridge ecosystem. You may encounter wildlife including deer, birds, and occasionally black bears or venomous snakes. Stay aware on trails, wear proper footwear, and use caution near water and rocky areas.Although a safety incident is not likely please take a moment to review these farm safety tips.
Venomous snakes. Copperhead snakes do live on the property. Always be on the lookout for snakes when walking the property. Snakes love thick grasses, rocks, and are often found near water.
Slippery rocks in the river. Always wear river shoes and use caution when walking in the river. The rocks are especially slippery in the summer.
Poison ivy. Identify poisonous plants before your visit and avoid them during your stay.
Ticks and insects. Check for ticks during the summer and fall months.
How-To Videos
Hot Plate Directions
This video will show you how to operate the Ninja two-burner hot plate at each tiny cottage.
Dishwasher Directions
This video will show you how to operate the drawer dishwasher at each tiny cottage.
Door Lock Directions
This video will show you how to operate the front door locks and lockbox at Hilltop, Meadow’s Edge, and Riverside.
HVAC Directions
This video will show you how to operate the heating and air conditioning at each tiny cottage.
Sauna Instructions - Suanas are located at Hilltop, Valley View, Sunset, and Meadow’s Edge
This video will show you how to operate the sauna at each cottage. The most important notes: turn the right knob slowly to the right until you hear “clunk” twice and then turn the right knob back to the left slowly until you hear one more “clunk” . This gives you one hour of heating. Let the sauna warm for 20 minutes, then add just 1 or 2 ladles of water slowly over the hot rocks.
Wood Burning Hot Tub
(Riverside Cottage Only)
Steps to Prepare the Hot Tub
Before you begin, remember to take pleasure in the process. Be mindful of each action, from splitting the firewood to stirring the water—it’s all about creating a meaningful experience, rather than focusing on the end result.
The hot tub process takes about 2 hours from prep to reaching the desired temperature. Keep this in mind when preparing for your soak. The water is changed with each guest, and a small amount of Bromine is used to maintain clean water during your stay. Leaves and other debris can fall into the hot tub, use the skimmer to remove debris before use. Firewood and fire starters are provided for your convenience. There can be some discoloring of the water - this is natural due to the cedar wood inside of the hot tub and natural exposure to the elements.
A video and detailed steps from the hot tub manufacturer can be found here.
1 . Check the water
Remove any debris in the water—a pool skimmer is provided.
Check the reminder ring at the base of the chimney to ensure there’s enough water in the hot tub. The ring is located at the base of the chimney.
2 . Start the fire
Firewood is pre-placed inside of the stove. Just use the long lighter to start the fire. Keep no more than 3 or 4 logs inside the stove.
Remove the lid to the stove box.
Carefully light the fire.
3 . Start the fire
Remove the lid to the stove box.
Place 1 fire starter at the bottom of the fire box.
Add the kindling criss-cross style over top. Make sure not to use too much, as you want enough room for air to circulate around it.
Carefully light the fire using the long lighter.
4 . Build up the fire
Once the kindling stack is burning nicely, move up to larger pieces of kindling.
After adding and getting the larger pieces burning, add increasingly larger logs approx. 3-4” in diameter. Note:anything bigger than this will draw energy out of the fire instead of transferring it into heating the water.
Arrange the wood loosely so that air can get around each log, and then fill the stove to the top.
Replace the lid, keeping it open by about 1” to provide air intake to the bottom of the fire, helping it burn.
5 . Feed the fire & stir the water
Continue to stock the stove with wood so it slowly feeds itself and the fire doesn't go out.
Check the fire every 30 minutes or so, adding wood if needed.
When the water starts to feel warm, stir it with the wood paddle to mix the bands of hot water with the cold (otherwise the water temperatures stay separated and it takes longer to warm up the water).
If you have a hot tub cover, put it on to help the water retain heat.
While you wait for the Wood Burning Hot Tub to slowly yet steadily heat, find a mindful activity to help yourself slow down: swim, prepare a meal, tend to your garden, read a book, or just tune into nature. Be sure to remember to check the fire and stir the water after 30 minutes has passed.
6 . Prepare to soak
Close to the 90-min mark, roll back the cover to check the temperature of the water with a thermometer or by immersing your wrist in the water.
When the water is close to your perfect temperature, stop adding wood and close the stove lid—it’ll soon arrive at your temperature. As an example, if you’re seeking 104℉ (average hot tub temp), close the lid around the 95℉ mark.
Allow the fire to smolder during your soak, adding more wood if necessary to help maintain the heat.