Toastmasters Speech#7 - A trip to Mars

[perelynn]

RETURN to the entry about our own trip (Russian).

Less than an hour drive from Toronto, there is a beautiful patch of Martian-like surface, a picturesque outcropping of terra cotta clay left by the last Ice Age. They are called Cheltenham Badlands *. Undulating folds of soft velvet-red rock, like backs of sea elephants, hued with all shades of warm crimson, chocolate and winy, and lined with light-green bands. 

Where did the terra cotta hue of the slopes and ravines come from? How did the seemingly painted lime lines appeared?

Approximately 430 Million years ago the area that contains the Great Lakes was filled with a large shallow sea referred to as the Michigan Basin. Southeast of the Michigan Basin a mountain range the size of the Himalayas was forming. These mountains filled the streams with red iron-rich material, which was deposited in the Michigan Basin forming a large delta. Deepening waters compressed the red delta mud to form Queenston shale.

 

Then, the sea was gone. Forest covered the sleeping Badlands. Around the turn of the 20^th century the soil, under which the badlands slept, was farmed. Farmers cut all the trees, cattle ate all the grass; the weather washed the thin topsoil layer. The Mars-like ex-under the sea is now exposed. It is the presence of iron oxide in the shale that accounts for the red colour. The narrow greenish bands are due to the change of red iron oxide (iron III) to green iron oxide (iron II) brought on by the circulating groundwater.

There are a lot more things to tell about the Cheltenham Badlands. However, nothing could outmatch the first-hand experience. The day you will want one-of-a-kind hike, the Cheltenham Badlands are an absolute must-see! 

Directions, for traveling from Toronto:

• Head West on the 401 to Mississauga Road
• Exit on Mississauga Road (Regional Hwy 1) and travel North
• Drive approx. 20 minutes to Olde Baseline Road
• Head East (Turn Right) onto Olde Baseline Road (Country Hwy 12)
• Drive up some hills, go down a big hill, as you go down the big hill, you’ll see an out of place red landscape on your right.
• Slow down, and park in the designated wide shoulder stopping area on the side.

**************
*The term ‘Badlands’ is a geologic term for an area of soft rock devoid of vegetation and soil cover that has become molded into a rolling landscape of rounded hills and gullies. Cheltenham Badlands are one of the best examples of the badlands topography in Ontario.

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

Liked the use of the props in the room (specifically the case), handouts, research evident, rehearsal on the 1st floor.
Well researched
Vocal variety and pics got my attention
Liked the handouts @ the end. Saved your time from going over. Great vocal variety to start. You spoke @ very good pace (not too fast). You incorporated pauses! Improvements from the last speech time.
Very confident… liked how you stopped, stayed, then said: ‘Let’s go back in time’. Eye contact was there!
Great presentation. I saw some improvements over the last speech you gave. The one area of improvement would be to use a less fluorescent colour like orange. Bien fait, cherie!

Alex

[(Anonymous)]

The story is a good one. Very to hear of an unusual place like this so close to Toronto.

[(Anonymous)]

Giving out directions was a very good idea.

[(Anonymous)]

Slow down a little bit in spots. Directions – nice attempt to try to involve audience.
Try stronger close – example ‘see also million years of unique geological processes in a short drive from Toronto – the Cheltenham Badlands’
Nice gestures for ‘undulating folds’. Voice projected good. Be conscious of ‘so’ as a habit or filler word.
You’re making direct eye contact – good.