<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>We all need to be at the Botanical Gardens tomorrow by 9:45 AM. There will be about 30 people in the tour so please be on time. When you arrive, let the staff at the kiosk know you are with the National Federation of the Blind tour scheduled for 10 AM. The tour will last approximately an hour and it will be a lot of walking so bring something to keep hydrated. Some might go out to eat afterwards but that information is not available at this time. Below you will find a link to audio descriptions of the sculptures currently displayed at the gardens. There will also be QR codes handed out for those audio descriptions. Below my signature are text descriptions sent by the Botanical Gardens of the plants we will encounter. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Botanical Gardens<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>555 Funston Place<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>San Antonio, TX 78209<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Audio tour can be found at <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'><a href="https://sabgtx.org/exhibition/otherwild/">https://sabgtx.org/exhibition/otherwild/</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'>The front gates to the Garden are located at the intersection of Funston St and N New Braunfels St. Upon entering, there is a building to your immediate left. That is a separate building not affiliated with the Garden. On your right is our Parking Lot A where you will find the closest parking spots to the Garden entrance. If Lot A is full, you can park in Lot C, just past theforementioned building on your left. To enter the Garden after parking, go to the entrance furthest left, up a wide path where a ticket kiosk is located at the top of a slight hill. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>See you all there!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Best regards,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Wendy Walker, President<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>NFBTX San Antonio Chapter<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Common Plants at The Garden <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Turk’s cap (Malvaviscus arboreus) <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>A soft, leafy shrub about waist to chest high. The leaves feel thin and slightly fuzzy, with a gentle point at the tip and soft, uneven edges. The flowers are small and tubular, about the size of your thumb, and stay mostly closed like a tightly twisted ribbon. If you touch one, it feels smooth and slightly springy. Hummingbirds are often nearby, so you may hear wing buzz around it. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>A woody herb that feels like a small, stiff bush. The leaves are narrow and needle-like, about the length of a fingernail, and slightly rough on top with a softer underside. When you rub the leaves between your fingers, they release a strong, sharp, pine-like scent that’s unmistakable. The stems are firm and woody, not soft. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Sycamore leaves (Platanus occidentalis) <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>These leaves are about the size of your open hand or bigger. They feel thin but slightly leathery, with deep cuts that divide the leaf into several wide “fingers.” The edges are somewhat jagged. If you run your fingers along the surface, you can feel the thick veins branching out from the center like a map of raised lines. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Corpse flower (Amorphophallus titanum) <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>This plant is known for its dramatic size and smell. When it blooms, the flower can be as tall as a person. The outer petal feels thick and slightly waxy. The non-blooming corpse flower does not resemble a flower at all but instead feels like a small, tree-like plant made from a single structure. A thick, upright stalk rises from the ground, firm and smooth with a slightly waxy feel, and may have faintly uneven patches. At the top, it spreads into a wide, umbrella shape made up of many thin, flexible leaflets that feel soft and delicate, each with a pointed tip and smooth edges. When you run your hand along the plant, it feels more like one large, divided leaf than separate branches. There is no strong odor at this stage—only a mild, fresh, earthy plant smell, unlike the powerful rotting scent it produces when blooming. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Mexican buckeye (Ungnadia speciosa) <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>A small tree or large shrub with smooth, slender branches. The leaves are made of several narrow leaflets arranged along a central stem, each leaflet about finger-length and smooth-edged. The seed pods are round and firm, about the size of a ping-pong ball, and feel slightly leathery. When they dry, they can split open with a noticeable pop. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Apricot tree (Prunus armeniaca) <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>A small to medium tree with a sturdy trunk and spreading branches you can often reach from the ground. The leaves are palm-sized, smooth, and slightly heart-shaped with a pointed tip. They feel soft and a bit thin, with fine, toothed edges. The fruit is about the size of a golf ball with soft, slightly fuzzy skin. When ripe, it feels tender and gives a little under gentle pressure, and it has a mild, sweet smell. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Peach tree (Prunus persica) <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Usually a bit smaller and more delicate feeling than many fruit trees. The leaves are long and narrow and smooth and flexible, with finely serrated edges. The fruit is round and covered in a noticeable soft fuzz. When you hold a ripe peach, it feels velvety and slightly yielding. The scent is sweet and fragrant, stronger than an apricot. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Inland sea oats (Chasmanthium latifolium) <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>A clumping grass that grows in loose bunches about knee- to waist-high. The leaves are long, flat, and flexible, with a smooth surface and a gentle arch as they grow. The most distinctive feature is the seed heads: they hang down from thin stems and feel like flat, papery ovals. When dry, they rustle softly in the wind and can feel crisp and delicate between your fingers. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Otherwild Exhibition Pieces <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Fountain Floral <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>This tree is 10ft high, 9ft wide, and 8.5ft deep, with a sturdy trunk made of metal that feels smooth but subtly textured, as if it has a faint grain running along it. The trunk has a slightly irregular, natural shape and appears layered, with darker and lighter colors blending together. From it extends many twisting branches, some with small cracks where thick, glossy forms flow outward like sap that has hardened in place. Hanging from the branches are clusters of rounded, petal-like shapes made from smooth acrylic, grouped closely together so they look like bunches of small flowers. These clusters are lightweight and able to move, gently shifting and swaying with the wind. Scattered throughout are many flat, thin elements—like leaves or plates—that catch light and create shifting reflections and color as they overlap. The overall form feels dense and full, with hundreds of individual pieces creating a layered surface of smooth, curved shapes, giving the impression of a lush, flowering tree with constant subtle motion. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>8-Bit Aspen <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>This tree is 17ft high, 11ft deep, and 9.5 feet wide, with a straight, upright trunk that feels solid and sturdy. The surface of the trunk has a textured pattern with raised, eye-shaped marks, giving it a slightly bumpy, irregular feel similar to natural bark. From the trunk extends many branches that spread outward, forming a broad canopy. Instead of soft, natural leaves, the canopy is made of countless small, flat, rectangular pieces arranged in layers. Each piece has straight edges and smooth surfaces, creating a blocky, geometric texture meant to represent 8-bit processors. When you move your hand across them, they feel rigid and evenly shaped rather than curved or flexible. The leaves are packed densely, forming clusters that feel thick and structured. Some parts may shift slightly with the wind, but overall the shapes remain flat and orderly. The whole tree has a distinctly pixelated, constructed look, combining the familiar form of an aspen tree with sharply defined, repeating shapes. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Wizened Star Tree <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>This wide, low-reaching tree sculpture spreads much farther sideways than it rises, with a long, dramatic branch that stretches outward like it is leaning strongly in one direction, as if pushed by constant wind. It is 9.6ft tall, 17ft wide, and 7ft deep. The trunk is thick and heavy, with a rough, deeply textured surface that feels uneven, almost like twisted rope or layered strips of metal wrapped and pressed together. The bark-like texture includes raised lines and ridges that create a veiny, rugged feel under the hand. The branches extend in irregular angles, some reaching far out and others bending sharply, giving the whole structure a strained, off-balance posture. Covering the branches are many small, pointed metal pieces shaped like sharp leaves that they cluster tightly together, creating a spiky surface that feels dense and slightly prickly to the touch. Some of these pieces can shift gently with the wind, adding subtle movement. The leaves are a smooth acrylic embedded among the metal, catching and reflecting light so they glint and shimmer against the darker, rough surface. The overall impression is of a tough, wind-beaten tree with a jagged, textured form and a strong sense of tension and movement. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Dichroic Tree <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>This tree is 11 feet tall, 18 feet wide, and 18 feet deep. It is made of many clear, flat, leaf-like pieces that shimmer and change color as they move in the light, shifting between pink, blue, and gold. The translucent surfaces catch and scatter sunlight, casting colorful reflections onto the ground and surrounding areas and creating a sparkling, almost glowing effect. The pieces gently move in the wind and occasionally touch, producing a soft clacking sound. Hidden within the branches is a small nest with crystal-like eggs. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Spiral Blossom <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>This tree is 7 feet wide and 7 feet deep and 10 feet tall, with a dark black metal trunk that rises from the ground and twists upward like a swirling column of wind, similar to a small tornado. The steel trunk feels solid and smooth but has a sense of motion in its shape, widening and narrowing as it spirals. Around the trunk, several metal branches spread outward, each holding many small, flat pieces shaped like simple petals. These pieces are pink and white and attached so they can spin freely, like tiny pinwheels, creating a sense of constant movement when the wind blows. The branches have a slightly textured, handcrafted look, with raised lines that resemble veins in leaves. At the base, the tree sits on a sculpted rock form that feels like rough stone, with uneven surfaces and embedded strips of smooth, glassy crystals that catch and reflect light, giving off small sparkles. The overall impression is of a stylized, whimsical tree that blends natural shapes with mechanical motion. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Chime Tree <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>A graceful, weeping tree that is 10.2 ft high, 18 ft wide, and 15ft deep. It is made from smooth, curved steel branches that flow downward like a weeping willow tree, with clusters of dangling strands that resemble long leaves. These strands are made of beads, shimmering colored pieces, and soft fabric streamers that catch the sunlight and glow with hints of red, orange, and iridescent tones, gently swaying, bouncing, and wiggling in the breeze. Hidden chimes inside the clusters create soft, varied tinkling sounds when the wind moves through them, and the overall effect feels fluid and calming. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></body></html>