Now it’s time to right another camping wrong — the battery-powered fluorescent-bulbed Coleman lantern. After packing in pounds of expensive batteries, the lantern casts a glow that is almost strong enough to make out the forms of people inside the tent with you.

I’m heading back to the basement. The old Coleman gas lantern is still there, it just needs a new silk mantle.

On the next trip, I’ll fill it with white gas, pump it up and light up half the campground.

Tim Krohn is a Free Press staff writer. He can be contacted at 344-6383 or tkrohn@mankatofreepress. com.