Aurora Wheeler Pfaff

Great Camps, Greater Women

By: aurorajayne March 9, 2020March 9, 2020

The story of the Great Camps of the Adirondacks is often told in relation to men: the men who built them, bought, and sold them. One story frequently told is that of W.W. Durant, who built the first Great Camps in the Adirondacks, several of which still stand today. Durant built Great Camp Sagamore, Camp…

The Little Mountain Town That Could

By: aurorajayne March 4, 2020March 4, 2020

HistoryLeave a Comment

For two weeks every four years, amateur athletes from around the globe come together to compete and celebrate winter sports, on blades, skis, and sleds. Since the inception of the modern Olympic Games, the event has grown in scope and renown. For many athletes, an Olympic Games is the culmination of years of hard work…

Mountain-sized Flavor

By: aurorajayne March 4, 2020March 4, 2020

Food, TravelFeaturedLeave a Comment

Nestled in the High Peaks of the Adirondack Mountains, Lake Placid has a mountain town vibe with plenty of local color. As a two-time Olympic Winter Games host city, you might expect history and adventure around every corner, but the village also features exceptional, adventurous food that might surprise you with its complexity and creativity.…

In Love With a View

By: aurorajayne January 22, 2020March 4, 2020

UncategorizedweddingsLeave a Comment

You’re in love with each other, you’re engaged, and now it’s time to think about the big, beautiful day. One of the biggest decisions you’ll make is where to get married. I won’t try to kid you: Picking a wedding venue can be a tough decision. You want your day to be unforgettable, fun, and…

Infinite Wonder: Photographing the Night Sky

By: aurorajayne January 22, 2020March 4, 2020

Travel, UncategorizedFeaturedLeave a Comment

The night sky is an amazing thing. Think about it this way: every star you look at is quite literally a part of the past. As fast as light travels — nothing travels faster — it still takes thousands and often millions of years to travel through the infinity of space. So by the time…

A Celebration of the Land

By: aurorajayne August 20, 2019August 26, 2019

UncategorizedFeaturedLeave a Comment

A road trip through the farmland of northern Franklin County is scenic, serene, and delicious. Roads gently curve and stretch onward, and as you drive, you travel past bright green fields deep with corn, tomatoes, potatoes, and the occasional sunflower. The fertile soils of northern Franklin County have supported farming for centuries, starting with the…

A Truly Perfect Paddle

By: aurorajayne August 26, 2019

UncategorizedLeave a Comment

I’m going to tell you something that might surprise you. Paddling in the Adirondacks, whether by canoe or kayak, is an awesome activity, but there is no one spot that is epically, quintessentially Adirondack. There are thousands of lakes in the Adirondacks and each one has some quality of beauty that is uniquely perfect. What…

Feeling at Home on the Farm

By: aurorajayne August 26, 2019March 4, 2020

TravelLeave a Comment

There’s a food revolution taking place in the Adirondacks. Small farms throughout the region are lovingly crafting cheese, raising cattle, sheep, and goats, and tending vegetable plots, developing and crafting flavorful, gourmet products that are much in demand, influencing how locals and visitors eat. In the Adirondacks, farm to table isn’t just a restaurant theme,…

Paddle Into Spring

By: aurorajayne July 3, 2019August 26, 2019

Travel, UncategorizedAdirondacks, canoeing, paddling, Saranac LakeLeave a Comment

For paddlers, the arrival of spring means the ice is moving out and we can start planning new adventures on the water. Paddling doesn’t have to be an intimidating experience, so if you are new to it or lack in experience, a little planning can help you have a fun and stress-free Adirondack adventure. There…

Hot Town, Summer in the Village

By: aurorajayne July 3, 2019August 26, 2019

UncategorizedLeave a Comment

No matter how old I get, the anticipation of summer makes me think of glowing pink evenings, playing all day, fireworks, soft breezes, hot dogs, and most of all, extra time with family and friends. Summer in Saranac Lake is an ideal place to savor just such time, as the village takes advantage of the fine…

Fascinating Creatures, Great and Small

By: aurorajayne July 3, 2019August 26, 2019

TravelFeaturedLeave a Comment

Lost in thought in an expanse of pine trees in Wilmington, in the shadow of Whiteface Mountain, I become aware that something lightly colored is moving quickly through the undergrowth. Shifting from side to side, peering through the thin spaces between the trees, I realize that what I am seeing is a wolf. Read more…

Bring the Kids!

By: aurorajayne June 26, 2019July 3, 2019

UncategorizedAdirondacks, family travel, Malone, travel writerLeave a Comment

What do the founder of Gibson Guitars, Almanzo Wilder of Little House on the Prairie fame, and William Wheeler, the 19th vice president of the United States have in common? They were all born and raised in the Malone region, which is a great location for a day of exploration and adventure for the young…