Water heater by-pass

So, I got caught this week by senioritis. Set up at the campsite and had everything connected. Purged air from water heater at outside shower (so I thought), cut on switch in the outside water heater compartment, and then cut on water heater switch inside. No hot water a little later. Checked outside compartment and the water heater was hot. Then it hit me that the water heater was by-passed. Opened the by-pass valves and it was fine. Luckily it did not ruin the element. I made reminders when I got home and winterized again.