Forest Bathing at Chantilly Farm, Floyd Virginia

Forest Bathing at Chantilly Farm

in Floyd County Virginia

Forest bathing: what is this? The short interpretation is using the forest for relaxation and stress reduction by simply walking, observing nature, resting, listening to sounds, in a beautiful forest.  Chantilly Farm has about 100 acres of incredible forest land with at least 20 varieties of hardwoods and many wonderful flora,  fauna and fungi. Does forest bathing really work? Yes, there are many scientific studies that prove that it's really true and you can get beautiful results. 

The Tree of Wisdom near trail C

The Japanese were the first to use the term forest bathing in 1982. A trip through the forest includes pleasant visual views and the aroma from the trees and plants. There are real beneficial compounds emitted by the forest vegetation. Even the quietness of the forest or the breeze causing a musical sound in the leaves and branches help create what is known attention restoration theory (ART).  If you want to lower your blood pressure, improve you immune system, lower your heart rate and increase your feeling of well being then join us in the Forest of Chantilly Farm.

Hiking trail at Chantilly Farm, Floyd Virginia

The forest at Chantilly is idyllic - hiking & bike trails, great views, abundant wild game and birds, and a small spring fed stream. We are even building a "hidden garden"  and when you find it you will love the tranquility. 

The original trail that is near the festival area and uphill from the performance stage is trail A and is less then a half mile long. It does

TRANQUILITY Bridge to trails B & C. The little
stream provides a wonderful relaxing sound.

have a few steep parts along the trail and if you have any hiking handicaps you will need to be careful. Trails B and C are new and start just below campground B.  Trails B and C are easy hiking with no steep areas, and are accessed by crossing a small stream using Tranquility Bridge to the trail area. Trail B (bright orange ribbon marking) is very short and an easy hike of less then 1/4 mile, and Trail C (pink ribbon marking) is also an easy hike of 1/2 mile. 

There is an abundance of photographic opportunities in "The Forest at Chantilly" - dozens of different flora and fauna provide beautiful subjects for pictures.  In addition to the diverse plant and animal variety, there are several types of fungi, and beautiful white /clear quartz rocks of many shapes/sizes. You will find some rare flora near beautiful small spring fed streams in parts of our forest.

Chantilly Creek 2/3 

 Previous visitors have also used the white quartz rocks to make fairy or gnome houses. Be on the lookout for these beautiful structures. Please take the time to make your own fairy house from the bits and pieces of wood and rocks along the trail. This can be a wonderful way to relax and clear your mind of stressful thinking.  If you have some food, you may want to leave a meal for the fairies (here is their favorite food click).  The mountain views and sunrise/sunsets can be spectacular here in the mountains.

For people with a creative mind, and those desiring to cultivate their creativity, there are endless benefits to be gained from forest bathing in "The Forest of Chantilly." When visiting the farm, please sign in at the farm office and let us know you are going to be out in the Chantilly Forest. 

Camping under the stars at Chantilly Farm.

You can camp at Chantilly Farm and enjoy the great outdoors and nature here in the heart of the Blue Ridge mountains of Floyd, Virginia. Chantilly Farm is near the Blue Ridge Parkway at mile post 150.



"By David Larsen" Chantilly Farm, Floyd County Virginia



A little more research information:
A forest bathing trip involves visiting a forest for relaxation and recreation while breathing in volatile substances, called phytoncides (wood essential oils), which are antimicrobial volatile organic compounds derived from trees, such as α-Pinene andlimonene. Incorporating forest bathing trips into a good lifestyle was first proposed in 1982 by the Forest Agency of Japan. It has now become a recognized relaxation and/or stress management activity in Japan and the USA. Here is some interesting research by Cimprich B. in 2007.

Good reading: the University of Minnesota "What are Healing Gardens" by  Mary Jo Kreitzer, RN, PhD

Examples of fauna in Olleros de Tera (Spain)

Solar Kiln at St. Pierre Woodworking , Floyd, Virginia

Click on photo to enlarge

Bill & his New England style Shop 

St. Pierre Woodworking is on a beautiful mountain top location in Floyd County, Virginia and operated by Bill St. Pierre. Bill has been developing his business on this property for 12 years.  He started with a cabinet shop and now has a full range of equipment that allows him to start with logs or reclaimed wood from old buildings and do all the processes from start to finish.

Bill's own description of his woodworking business. Here you can find furniture hand crafted in the Blue Ridge Mountains of southwestern Virginia. I enjoy creating quality, custom furniture with the finest materials through precise techniques and craftsmanship. Browse around at my work, I'd love to add a lifetime of beauty in your home with a custom piece just for you. Call Bill for your next custom wood project at 540.797.3496

Virginia Tech Solar Kiln 

St. Pierre Woodworking has 2 kilns Solar & Electric.

The Virginia Tech style solar kiln is used to dry the larger 2" slabs 

Wood Drying Solar Kiln plans
Virginia tech Solar Kiln Publication 420-030

Virginia Tech Solar Kiln 

Front side of solar kiln with big insulated doors - large pieces can be dried in this kiln.

Bill St. Pierre Describes his Solar Kiln

Nyle kiln 

The Nyle kiln is used mostly to dry lumber and to sterilize the reclaimed lumber.

Controller for Nyle kiln

Controller for Nyle kiln. This kiln uses electric heat for drying.

Timber King 2000 sawmill.

Bill has 2 sawmills this one is the Timber King 2000 .

Air drying shed

Large air drying shed for logs, reclaimed wood or sawed lumber.

Large Oak burl 

A large burl from Oak tree. This will make a  beautiful custom table.

                                         A video of BillSt Pierre Woodworking Making a
                                         spiral Wooden Leg  - this video  has over 800,000
                                         views.  Woodworkers love this.

large selection of slab wood

You can also choose from a large selection of slabs and reclaimed wood. Showroom has slabs cut from many different types of wood.

View of Buffalo Mt from St.Pierre Shop

This is the view from the St. Pierre property - That is Buffalo Mountain in the background about 25 miles from shop. Buffalo Mountain is the highest point in Floyd County, Virginia at 4000 feet.

David Larsen

We are pleased to work with Bill St. Pierre Woodworking. Bill shop is only a few miles from our Chantilly Farm and Bill brings one of his sawmills to some of our events at the farm.

.^{"by David Larsen"  KK4WW Computer Collector Historian}   

Chantilly Barn construction progressing nicley and will be fully ready for the next year's operation

We have been very busy with building infrastructure this year at Chantilly - New projects includes camping facilities for Rv's and Tent campers - completed ; New mulitpurpose barn getting closed to being finished. The Country Store constructed their annex at Chantilly Farm.  More roads and a third Commercial entrance off Franklin Pike. Chantilly water system  approved for public use. The barn construction is still in progress and  a few pictures below show it looks on the festival grounds.

Click on Photo to enlarge

Barn at Chantilly Farm - Floyd Virginia

View of Barn, County Store annex and bath house from hill.

Barn at Chantilly Farm - Floyd Virginia

View of Stage, Barn and Country Store annex from shade area in the woods.

Barn at Chantilly Farm - Floyd Virginia

View of barn from festival field - the mezzanine is accessed thought the white door on the side at ground level. 40 foot deck on the festival side of building accessed though 3 sliding glass doors off the mezzanine.

Barn at Chantilly Farm - Floyd Virginia

Better view of the 40 foot deck.

Barn at Chantilly Farm - Floyd Virginia

The back side of barn has a 12x12 door - we can drive about any vehicle into the building.

Barn at Chantilly Farm - Floyd Virginia

Laying the heating coils for the heated floor in the barn.

Barn at Chantilly Farm - Floyd Virginia

Finishing the 5 inch concrete floor.

Barn at Chantilly Farm - Floyd Virginia

Floor and mezzanine from the back inside the barn. The ceiling is at a height of 18 feet.

Barn at Chantilly Farm - Floyd Virginia

Mezzanine and the 3 sliding glass doors entering onto the 40 foot deck.

Barn at Chantilly Farm - Floyd Virginia

Looking toward the back inside the barn from the mezzanine.

Chantilly Farm entrance by Nathaniel Frissell

Going home - just passing the farm office at the entrance gate. The fog and night light are an interesting effect.

David Larsen

The LCF Group has been enjoying developing Chantilly Farm into a music and events venue in Floyd County, Virginia.

.^{"by David Larsen"  KK4WW Computer Collector Historian}   

Chantilly Farm, Floyd Virginia some good things at the farm -Auto Faire - camping - Floyd County Store Kitchen

Coming up this weekend at Chantilly Farm!

The annual Floyd Auto Fair is making its return to Chantilly Farm this coming weekend! The show's organizer's, ChasingSSCars, have even added a third day to the event! Trophies will be given in a variety of categories during the judged car show on Saturday and Sunday will feature a free cruise-in! More than 100 parts vendors have already signed up! Live music from Cadillac Ranch and Casino Cruz will be featured on the main stage at Chantilly on Saturday from 12:30pm until 8pm. Come see vintage racing legend Jimmy Johnson's simulated race car--you can even take your turn behind the wheel! Admission is $6 per day and kids 12 and under are admitted for free with a paying adult. Camping is available throughout the weekend. Those with questions should contact Erik Herdman at (540)789-7898. Click to learn more  >

Expanded Camping Facilities and New Dump Station at Chantilly Chantilly Farm would like to extend a huge thank you to Brooks Brothers Excavating for all their hard work on the new campground expansion at Chantilly Farm! The new pull-through spaces are nearing completion and will feature full electrical, water, and sewage hookups for RV's and travel trailers. Construction on a second bath house facility will begin sometime this autumn. This additional infrastructure will make Chantilly Farm a prime location to pitch your tent or park your RV while passing through our part of the Blue Ridge Mountains! Don't forget, we're located only 6 miles from Downtown Floyd and just minutes from both the Blue Ridge Parkway and Crooked Road Music Trail! A newly completed dump station is also now available for use. Camping at Chantilly Farm is not a requirement for use of the dump station, but a small fee will be assessed. For more information about camping at Chantilly Farm, give us a call at (540)808-4984 or email us at chantillyfarm@gmail.com . Click to learn more >

2015 Bluegrass & BBQ Festival to Expand to Two Days Chantilly Farm's largest annual outdoor event will be expanding to two full days in 2015. The 5th Annual Chantilly Farm Bluegrass & BBQ Festival will feature an all-star lineup of some of the most acclaimed performers in bluegrass and mountain music, along with arts and crafts vendors, camping, children's activities, jamming and more! Mark your calendar's now for Friday and Saturday, May 22-23, 2015 and join us for the region's hottest bluegrass festival! Ticketing and a full festival lineup will be announced later this year, so stay tuned!

Floyd Country Store Annex is Adding a Kitchen Many of you have heard about the new Floyd Country Store annex that was recently constructed in the main festival fields at Chantilly Farm, and believe it or not, the store is already expanding! Woody Crenshaw, owner of the Floyd Country Store and a local entrepreneur, is adding a kitchen to the existing building which will allow for better and more efficient service of patrons during events at the venue. The new kitchen will allow the store to serve a wider variety of both hot and cold dishes. Make sure to stop by and check out what they have to offer next time your visiting Chantilly for an event! Newsletter "byJason Gallimore" Chantilly Farm

Blueberry and Black Current "You Pick" Patch in Floyd Virginia

My wife Gaynell has been picking Blueberries at the Eggers U-Pick farm for years. I am so thankful. I have a freezer full of  Blueberries to enjoy with my Oatmeal every morning.

This year Gaynell has already picked 35 pounds and has them in the freezer. These are nice berries and right here in Floyd, Va.

Here is where you can get your Blueberries this season.

Eggers U- Pick farm "CLICK Here for map"

Located about 1 mile from the stop light in downtown Floyd. Turn off Webbs Mill Road (RT 8) at School House Fabrics an proceed about 1/2 mile out Penn Road.  The Eggers farm is on the Right - you should see his sign.

Hours of operation - 8 to 12 Monday - Saturday.

For more information call - 1-276-692-8898 or 1-540-745-4088

"By David Larsen" The guy who has Blueberries with his oatmeal every morning at the Blueridge Restaurant in Floyd VA.

Civil War Era Empire Sofa - Restored

Flips & finds, Floyd VA

Derek DeLuzio of 'Flips and Finds' found this Empire Sofa at a local auction and restored  it to a beautiful piece of furniture. Derek is learning the art of furniture upholstery and the work with the Empire Sofa  turned out beautiful. This was  a process of bringing  the wood frame back to life after removing old paint and then putting on new fabric.


Derek's wood shop for 'Flips and Finds' is located near the town of Floyd, Virginia.  You will find Derek there most days working in his 'Rustic Farm Furniture' at the shop.

To enlarge - "CLICK" on photo 

Empire Sofa

Empire Sofa before restoring.  At 150 years old the sofa was in need of a real makeover.

Empire Sofa

Removing the fabric exposed beautiful wood work on the frame.

Empire Sofa

A real classic Empire Sofa look once the paint was removed and the wood exposed.

Empire Sofa

This wood grain is really gorgeous and stands out beautifully. A little sanding and clear finish did the job.

Empire Sofa

Fabric was selected that represented the  period this sofa was made as a finishing touch.

Empire Sofa

A very nice Civil War Era Empire Sofa now ready for a new owner. You can see the sofa at our Gallery - located in the Village Green 3 & 4, downtown Floyd Virginia.



How Derek restored this beautiful sofa take a look Video'CLICK'


Follow  'Flips and Finds' on Twitter
Join 'Flips and Finds' on Facebook 

David G Larsen

The furniture gallery is in a section of our 'Computer Museum' space and very  easy to find and convenient parking in front just outside the door. Come visit us at the Village Green , #4 in Floyd Virginia.
^{"by David Larsen"  KK4WW Computer Collector Historian}