Virginia AT trip in Sept. I need help!

So I am taking my 65 y.o. father on a 3 day section hike of the AT. Specifically Shenandoah State Park. I would like to go through a restaurant on the second or third day as a treat for him(I know there are restaurants in Shenandoah). So far I am thinking Big Meadows. He is in decent shape, but I am looking at doing no more than 9 miles a day on mostly flat terrain. I want to stay far away from Bearfence as I have read there has been some trouble there. There obviously needs to be a trail head with car access at the start and no more than 27 miles in either direction. I am picking up some Virginia AT trail guides, but I would like some specific advice from those of you who have hiked there. Please no "pickup a trail guide" answers. As always keep it civil and thanks for your help!