Last Chance: Attend Capital Bocking USA

National Meetup: Capital Bocking USA, June 26-28, 2009...
The big meetup is less than two weeks away. It's going to be a blast... and the good news is that it's free and registration is still open. We would love to have new participants and supportive spectators / photographers. Also, if you have been waiting to try a pair of stilts for yourself, note the last event which will be an extra special opportunity. The schedule of events is as follows:

Friday June 26 ~ 7:30-11PM
Pizza Kickoff Party at the DC Power Stilts HQ
Capital Bocking kicks-off in Chevy Chase, MD at this invite-only party sponsored by DC Power Stilts. Enjoy artisan vegetarian pizzas, talk to acrobats and meet dedicated power stilt-walkers. RSVP Required. (BYOB)

Saturday June 27 ~ 11AM
National Monument Terrain Challenge in Downtown DC
If you haven't seen dozens of people on stilts leaping, bounding, and doing acrobatics while competing for points, then you will not want to miss this spectacle. Most challenges are intermediate level and it's sure to be a great environment for learning a few new tricks.

Saturday June 27 ~ 2:30PM
Georgetown Bocking Tour (Tricks and Treats) starting in Rosslyn
Scenic Walk includes stops to do tricks in Georgetown and on campus as well as cupcakes and ice cream. Points awarded for crowd pleasing tricks. Suitable for beginners+

Sunday June 28 ~ 10:00AM
Breakfast on Stilts and Final Award Ceremony at Eastern Market
Leisurely breakfast prior to the secret "point swap". Competitors will sell their cause when the outcomes of scheming, skills and alliances will determine the winner. Who has the cunning to claim the top prize?

Sunday June 28 ~ 2:30PM
Free Try-out Lessons in Friendship Heights
If you have been waiting to try power stilts for yourself, in addition to an instructor, stilts enthusiasts will help and encourage you during your brief 10-minute free tryout lesson! RSVP requested.

Click here for the Capital Bocking USA information

Visiting the National Cherry Blossom Festival on Stilts

The Cherry Blossom Festival is a wonderful event that happens in DC when the Japanese Cherry Blossom Trees bloom and surround the tidal areas of DC with breathtaking pink and white petals.

Unfortunately the spectacular scenery attracts a huge crowd and the lack of good transportation nearby makes getting around very difficult... for most.

Power stilts change the equation! Now the 4 miles around the area and up to the subway passes with the greatest of ease. The crowd becomes a moving slalom course and every unobstructed view overlooks the heads of those around.

Not to mention the fun of running and jumping in a beautiful place to the amazement and shock of lots of people. Please visit the DC Power Stilts Flickr Photo Stream for the photos I took or were of me on this fine Sunday afternoon.

Since it worked out so well, I think next year I'll organize a group of us to go down together. Mark your calendars and come to DC for the National Cherry Blossoms.

"Bock" Obama Inauguration Festivities

After listening to Obama take the Oath of Office via a Jumbotron, the energy and exuberance of the crowd was enough to make you want to jump for joy!

Of the 1.8 Million people celebrating the inauguration in downtown DC, only the coolest, best-informed were smart enough to bring their own stilts.

Security zones were arbitrary and unclear, but walking all over town was a given, and the usual transport network had been mostly shut down by the sheer size of the crowds. Standing above the crowd really added to the awareness of the magnitude of what was going on.



Compare the above picture taken of me in front of the WW2 memorial with the picture from atop stilts below. While everyone was on their toes to peer over each other's heads, I was marveling in the incredible views.


Visit my flickr photostream for more pictures from "Bock" Obama Inauguration Festivities.

Unfortunately with cold temps below freezing all day, weather was not ideal to spend the day doing outdoor activities, so only one polar bear went bocking into history with the "Bock" Obama Inauguration. Although it has been noted that performers on spring stilts entertained at the Neighborhood Inaugural Ball.