To commemorate the 100-year milestone of RVing in the U.S. contributing writer, John Rixey Moore tackled the story for RV magazine. He unearthed some surprising facts about RVing that I think you will appreciate. Together with noted RV historian David Woodworth, the story conjures images of how life was at the turn of the 20th century.

Moore and Woodworth found an RV connection that ties Henry Ford and Thomas Edison to the lifestyle. Both were apparently avid outdoorsmen who loved to camp. These early pioneers embraced what we hold dear to us today. Included are historic photographs that capture the essence of why we continue to enjoy the great outdoors.

Mixed in the story are certain photographs that I took a year ago at the Petersen Museum in Los Angeles. The curator at the Petersen had prepared an incredible display of vintage RVs, tents, and trailers, and the public had a rare opportunity to see how much has changed over the years.

The RV has brought families together for more than a century, and it will continue to do so for generations to come. But to move ahead, we must learn from the past and look to the future when it comes to protecting our natural resources.

I asked contributing writer Bobby Black to do a little soul searching and compile a presentation of products that he deemed as eco-friendly. What he came up with was a presentation of 19 new products that can help us all become better stewards of the land.

Along those lines, writer John Stewart, penned an excellent piece on solar energy. It's a comprehensive look at solar and explains the value of it in the most simplistic terms. You'll be surprised at how cost-effective solar can be under certain conditions.

Resident towing expert, Brett Becker, jumped in the fray with 15 of the best light-duty vehicles that can be used as a tow rig. Granted, none of these will pull your 30-foot toyhauler, but they will handle a decent travel trailer and all burn much less fuel than an 8- or 10-lug tow rig. Moreover, all of these vehicles can be used on a daily basis, not just for towing, which makes the decision to buy one even more appealing.

Also in this issue, I decided to road-test a SoCal Teardrops trailer with one of the 15 light-duty picks we reviewed, and in all honesty, it was one of the best times I've had camping in many years. SoCal Teardrops is a father-and-son team that builds trailers the old fashioned way-by hand. Maybe knowing that made the trip all the more satisfying. Either way, it was a great experience.

To complement the print story, digital producer Monica Thompson created some video clips that are now live online at www.rvmagonline.com. This is a good example of how digital technology can elevate traditional print media.

Obviously, we don't have all the answers to where the RV market is going. In many ways, each turn in the road brings a new adventure. Hopefully, we can all look out the window and enjoy the ride,and look back at history whenever we need some real inspiration in our lives! Hope you agree. Enjoy.