text: > look around
  Mt. Cammerer, Outside the Fire Tower
  The fire tower has a commanding view of the surrounding mountains. You can enter the tower or simply return back the way you came. The trail departs to the southwest.
  
  > examine Mountains
  You walk to the railing, lean against it, and take in the view. It's a wonderfully clear day, and it feels as if you're able to see the
  entire world from here - mountain after mountain, sprawling to the horizon. You can see Webb Mountain to the north, where your house is nestled somewhere in the trees. Beyond is Bays Mountain and, further still and slightly west, Clinch Mountain.
  
  You walk around the tower and look to the east. Snowbird Mountain lies just the other side of the Pigeon River gorge. Beyond that, the Unakas and, further still, the Blue Ridge.
  
  Traversing the porch to the south, you see the Mt. Sterling Lookout on a distant ridge, barely visible without binoculars.
  
  Finally, you step to the western railing and look out onto peaks of whose names you are not certain. The names aren't important, really, merely random designations of natural landmarks. First the Cherokee gave them names, then the Europeans, and perhaps someday someone else will call them something new. But the mountains will endure
  regardless. Or so you hope.
  
  A small purple butterfly flits across the trail in front of you and disappears among the trees.
  
  > Go east
  There appear to be only woods in that direction, with no path among
  the trees. The AT continues to the southwest, or you can visit the
  fire tower by heading north.
  
  > Go north
  Nah... you've already been there, done that, and heading back out to the tower would add an additional mile to your hike, which, quite frankly, is long enough already. Best to head back to the parking lot now. The AT departs to the southwest, toward Low Gap.
  
  > go southwest
  You recommence climbing the Appalachian Trail. Just as with the previous stretch, it's littered with roots and rocks and excessive steepness, and makes you not such a happy hiker. "Oh well," you think to yourself, "it's making me stronger. Stronger. Yes. Stronger." You continue this rather ineffective little pep talk for about a half a mile, at which point the trail graciously levels out along the crest
  of a ridge.
  
  You find an easy, confident pace, and begin to notice how effortlessly your legs move on this type of terrain. The lack of obstructions in
  the trail allows you to take in the view as you hike, and incredible mountain vistas are present on both sides of the trail for a short while - successive waves of blue, smoky ridges trailing off into the distance.
  
  After a bit, the trail begins to descend off the ridge and into the trees... gradually at first, then steeper, and your pace finds a decrescendo as you carefully navigate the slope. Many people prefer a strenuous uphill to this, because descending can be fairly hard on
  your knees and ankles, but after the beating your lungs and legs took on the AT earlier, you are inclined to respectfully disagree.
  
  After a total walk of just over two miles, you encounter another trail junction.
  
  Trail Junction (Appalachian and Low Gap trails)
  Two trails cross here, in the center of what's called Low Gap, so
  named because it's the lowest pass through the mountains for over
  fifty miles if you were traveling along the Appalachian Trail headed north. The AT runs from northeast to southwest here, climbing toward Cosby Knob and beyond - all the way to Georgia. The Low Gap trail crosses perpendicular to the AT, descending in both directions: southeast, toward Walnut Bottoms and Big Creek, or northwest, toward the Cosby Campground and, for you, home.
  
  A sign at one side of the junction points the way and provides the mileage to nearby landmarks.
  
  Your socks have shifted uncomfortably in your boots, so you take a
  seat in the clearing to readjust them. Once you're finished, you
  decide the ground feels good enough to simply rest there for a bit.
  
  A cool breeze builds momentarily from the east, cooling your skin.
  
  > Yes
  "You're certain that you'll be okay on your own?" he asks.
  
  You smile at him, tightening the pack around your waist. A slight
  laugh creeps into your voice - it's not as if you haven't done this before. "Yes, dear. I'll be fine. It's nothing personal, I just..."
  You take in the concerned expression on his face and your voice
  softens slightly. "I just need a break. Not from you, necessarily, but from everything: work, responsibilities, friends. I just need a day to myself, you know?"
  
  He nods. "Yeah. Yeah, I guess I do. No worries; I get like that myself sometimes. Just in case something happens, what route do you plan to take? Your usual?"
  
  You nod. "Yeah. I'll head up the long way, on the Lower Mt. Cammerer trail, hit the Appalachian trail to get to the tower, then descend by going further down the AT towards Low Gap. I'll take the Low Gap trail back to the campground."
  
  He smiles at you. "Like I said, 'Your usual.' Listen, I'll be back to pick you up about... Hm, what time?"
  
  "Well, if I were just hiking, I could be out by mid-afternoon, but I really want to take my time and enjoy things. I guess it gets dark about... what? Half past nine these days?" He nods. "I should be out
  by then. I'll meet you right back here at nine-thirty, okay?" you
  offer up your most reassuring smile.
  
  "Sure," he says. "I love you. Be careful, and have a great hike."
  
  With that, he kisses you lightly on the lips and gets back in the car. He waves out the driver's side window and heads off toward the north end of the parking lot, towards home. Soon, the car is out of sight entirely.
  
  > go to the south
  As you enter the campground, you realize that it's early yet - none of the campers seem to be stirring. You attempt to make as little noise
  as possible with your boots against the pavement, and after about four tenths of a mile you reach the trailhead.
  
  Lower Mt. Cammerer Trailhead
  You're standing at the edge of the road on the eastern edge of the Cosby Campground. A familiar wooden sign, painted brown with bright white lettering stands here, just off the pavement and to the left of the trail. As with all of the National Park Service's trail signs, it gives you the name of the trail and the distance to the nearest important junctions. This one reads:
  
  Low Gap Trail 0.2
  Sutton Ridge Overlook 1.4
  Appalachian Trail 7.5
  
  The dirt trail is wide enough here to accommodate a full-size vehicle, and begins behind a locked gate.
  
  A slight breeze blows out of the east.