[Engraved-on-His-hands]

I worked for three years at Shenandoah National Park in Virginian. The Appalachian Trail goes through the backbone of the Park. In three years, and seeing many, many through hikers, I only saw one with a smile on his face. Everyone else had simply a look of grim determination.

I think that, for most people, driving to special areas and doing day hikes would work better and be more enjoyable.

[higgmeister]

Just outside the Shenandoah National Park is where the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Skyline Drive join together at Afton Mountain.   These scenic roads parallel the The Appalachian Trail.

I graduated from Waynesboro High School down in the Shenandoah Valley.   The old Girls Gym and the old original Auditorium had not been demolished and were in use back then.

[higgmeister]

For and honorable mention, the George Washington National Forest is southwest of the Shenandoah National Park.

The northern portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway, which is separately administered by the National Park Service, runs through the Forest.

Over 2,000 miles (3,000 km) of hiking trails, including segments of the Appalachian Trail, go through the forest.