Todd DeFeo, Author at Sightseers' Delight

Analysis paralysis: Evaluating Walt Disney World after nearly 30 years of visits

February 10, 2010 Todd DeFeo

By Todd DeFeo LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — I was disappointed from the moment I stepped into the room at the Pop Century Resort. The carpet was dirty, the bedspread was worn beyond its years and the room looked in desperate need of an upgrade. I was sure to pass along my thoughts to the hotel, and they did move us to a new — and recently refurbished — room. As I thought about it

Duluth railroad museum offers glimpse into railroading heyday

January 29, 2010 Todd DeFeo

DULUTH, Ga. – For 40 years, the Southeastern Railway Museum has been dedicated to the preservation of Georgia Railroad’s History. “Georgia’s Official Transportation History Museum” first opened on a 12-acre site in Duluth donated by Southern Railway. The museum remained at that location until 1997, it moved just down the … tracks – literally. That year, the museum accepted a donation of roughly 30 acres from Frank M. Ewing of Chevy Chase, Md. The site,

White House suffers decline in value, still popular tourist attraction

January 21, 2010 Todd DeFeo

It’s the most prestigious address in the country, but even The White House isn’t immune to the downturn in property values. According to Zillow, the house at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. is valued at $292.5 million, as of Jan. 18. That’s down from its estimated value of $308.1 on Jan. 8, 2009, and $331.8 million on Jan. 8, 2008. The 55,000-square-foot, 132-room house features 16 bedrooms and 35 bathrooms. Of course, there’s always the underground bunker,

Duluth railroad museum offers glimpse into railroading heyday

January 16, 2010 Todd DeFeo

“Georgia’s Official Transportation History Museum” first opened on a 12-acre site in Duluth donated by Southern Railway.

King Cotton’s story on display in Augusta Cotton Exchange

January 15, 2010 Todd DeFeo

AUGUSTA, Ga. — During the latter half of the 19th century and early part of the 20th century, cotton was indeed king here in Augusta. In fact, in its prime, Augusta was the “second largest inland cotton market in the world,” according to the National Park Service, following only Memphis. Nowhere is that more apparent that at the Cotton Exchange building at 8th and Reynolds streets. Built in the mid 1880s and designed by Enoch William

Trying the Christmas Day terrorist is the wrong decision?

January 11, 2010 Todd DeFeo

President Obama and the Justice Department are being criticized over the decision to federally charge a Nigerian national with trying to blow up an airplane on Christmas Day rather than detain him as an enemy combatant.

James Oglethorpe also founded Georgia’s second city

January 10, 2010 Todd DeFeo

James Oglethorpe’s role in founding Georgia is well-known. For instance, many people readily know Oglethorpe founded Savannah in 1733.

A one-stop guide to Marietta, Ga., the Gem City of the South

January 3, 2010 Todd DeFeo

MARIETTA, Ga. — The Gem City of the South is steeped in history. Located about 20 miles north of Atlanta, the city is one of Metro Atlanta’s largest suburbs. Like so many other North Georgia cities, Marietta unwillingly played host to William T. Sherman during 1864. But that only helped to shape the city into what it is today. Places to see The Kennesaw House: The one-time cotton warehouse and former hotel is one of the

PETA to UGA: Get a robotic dog

November 24, 2009 Todd DeFeo

PETA, the people who romp around in the buff to oppose the wearing of fur, thinks it’s time to replace the University of Georgia’s mascot with a robotic dog.

MARTA moves to color-coded lines

November 8, 2009 Todd DeFeo

MARTA last month introduced color-coded rail lines — similar to systems in other major cities — saying it will help cut down on rider confusion.