Wow, September already! Can you believe it? This camping season has come and almost gone. But, don't put that camper in moth balls yet! Now that the kids are back in school, and temperatures are cooler, campgrounds aren't so packed. It's the best time of year to go camping. The campfire is more pleasant when the temperature is not 90 degrees. Fishing gets better, and the sun is not so likely to fry you so quickly.

Hopefully, by now all problems have been repaired and you can just go and relax at your favorite spot. Don’t refrain from enjoying a weekend away before they close the campgrounds for the year.

Fall is my favorite time to go camping, the deer look much better with horns. Any time in the woods is not wasted; it is an opportunity to unwind from all the hustle of summer. But if you're an avid hunter, camp where you'll be hunting to do some pre-season scouting.

Even this late in the camping season, I'm still finding some who aren't sure of the proper operation of the bypass system on the rear of their hot water heater. If your system has a single valve, and is labeled 'normal operation,' point the arrow towards this label to use your hot water heater.

If, like most bypass systems, there is up to three valves on the back of the heater, ALL valves should be in the horizontal position for normal operation. To be sure you have the valves in the correct position (and to avoid damage to the water heater or element burn out), lift the blow out valve lever on the outside of your heater until water flows out. Turn on the water heater and, after the water has had time to heat, you should have the proper flow of hot water from your faucets inside your camper. If the water cools rapidly, turn the center valve the other way to shut bypass water flow off.

Those of you with a Suburban hot water heater, look for the little black switch located outside, under the door, on the bottom left. This switch controls the 110 volt, if your heater is so equipped. Get used to turning this switch off before you unplug your camper, and back on after the air is removed when you arrive. This will avoid burning out the electric element due to the empty water heater tank.

Next month, we will cover necessary things you'll have to do to properly store your camper for the winter months. As always, be safe, have fun. It's not snowing yet, so let's go camping! P.S. I would also like to congratulate Two Lane Livin', and my fellow columnists on the achievement of our first full year in print. I find total reading enjoyment from cover to cover and look forward to each issue.