Friday, 3/25/2022 (continued)
From Col Bree’s seminar, Beverly and I made our way to Friday’s noon luncheon in the Commonwealth Ballroom, where the guest speaker was a trans-man. When Bev found a table, she waved me over, commenting, “I’ve got a surprise for you!.” She had found a table with one of the few Conference attendees who is a trans-man, and I took a seat alongside Derek. I introduced myself and we chatted throughout lunch. Derek lives 24/7 as a man, and after the luncheon, I asked if he would take a picture with me, and he was more than happy to do so! You can see that photo in my private gallery.
Bev and I had a lengthy conversation with Derek and Jennifer Lehman (one of the Conference presenters, who is a trans woman) which made us late getting to the “Crossdresser Heaven Meet Up!”
The “Crossdresser Heaven Meet-Up” was absolutely the highest priority event on my Keystone agenda, and I certainly didn’t want to miss it! Leah Santini of CDH had set up the meet with the Keystone organizers on the 10th-floor lounge of the Sheraton. It was the only event at Keystone where all the ladies of CDH could all be together in one place at the same time.
It was a wondrous get-together! I finally got to meet in person, so many ladies of CDH, who up to that point I’d known only thru their CDH posts and articles. Stephanie Bass and I finally got in our “physical hugs,” which we had been “virtually” promising each other for months on CDH. I’ve posted a few pics to my Private Gallery taken with some girls who were at the meetup, and I met with many others, too many to name here. There are many more photos from the CDH meetup in the photo gallery of the CDH group “Keystone 2022.”
We retired to the room to rest and dress for dinner. We caught the bus promptly at 6:00 pm and rode it to the Macaroni Grill. Again, there were long tables set up for the Keystone crossdressers, and once again I was amazed. So many long tables just filled with crossdressers and their SOs.
At our table, there was Bettylou (Lulu), who, like me, was one of the older crossdressers at the Conference. Across from me sat Bobbi Jo of CDH, meeting her for the first time and her wife, who kept things lively throughout dinner. And of course, my BFF Beverly. I thoroughly enjoyed dinner (as I’d done at the other restaurants), but all too soon, it was over.
Saturday, 3/26/2022
How’d it get to be Saturday so quickly??? Seems I’d just arrived and now I’m waking up to my last official day at Keystone. Gala night, the night everyone at the Conference comes for, the culmination, the great apotheosis, Keystone’s Hallmark event!!
Again, old lady Cam woke up tired out from the three preceding whirlwind days. We skipped breakfast again. Our first seminar was one of my favorites at Keystone. We attended Savannah Hauk’s presentation on “Living with Crossdressing.” I’d already seen Savannah’s TED talk on YouTube, so I already knew she’s a lot like me (much younger): an “occasional” dresser, still not out to her family, no interest in transitioning or HRT, and doesn’t even dress every day. It was a very interesting presentation. After the talk, I bought her book, “Living with Crossdressing–Discovering your true identity,” but we were in such a rush to get to Saturday’s luncheon, I plum forgot to ask her to sign it.
After Saturday’s luncheon, Bev and I attended the “Harmonious Hair, Color & Styles.” The presenter, Missi Pitcher, a young cis woman, answered questions and gave advice about wig colors matching your skin tone and stuff like that. She went around the room, evaluating each of our wigs as to our personal face shape and skin tone. I was wearing my gray curly wig that day, and she gave it her seal of approval! That made me proud as punch!
We rushed back to the room to start our femme transformation for the Gala dinner and dance. I wore my sequined ball gown and my 2-inch patent heels. I had brought with me a newly purchased pair of 3-inch heels, but since I hadn’t broken them in, I opted to not take a chance and went for comfort over style!
The Gala was absolutely spectacular! After the dinner, everyone repositioned themselves and luckily, we commandeered a table close to the dance floor. “Wicked Jezebel” pumped up the volume, and the dancing started.
My dancing days were over many years ago, so I sat out and enjoyed the company of Bobbi Jo and her wife as we watched the other Gala attendees on the dance floor. Some had shed their heels and were dancing in stocking feet. Far in the back of my mind, there was a vestigial desire to get out on the dance floor, even if alone, and take my 2-in heels out for a spin. Looking back, I wish I had. There’s a pic of me at the Gala, taken by Beverly, in my Photo Gallery.
As the party wound down, so did I. I retired to the hotel room for the night, wondering…. how could this be ending? It seems to have just started. It was heartbreaking in one sense to know that the most outstanding thing ever to have happened to me in my closeted femme life was at an end; yet fulfilling in a way to know that I had done it! Four full days steeped in fabulous femme!
Sunday, 3/27/2022
Beverly and I had made plans to stay over at the Sheraton until Monday morning, but with no plans on how we would spend our Sunday. And so, it turned out to be sadly anticlimactic, although there were a couple of “firsts” in my closeted CD life that occurred.
My Sunday started with a wonderful “brunch” in the Dog and Pony Lounge (in full femme for this last day), where I had breakfasted with my newfound friend, Stephanie Bass, and her wife. Each of us lamented the fact that the Conference was over. Carole Corbett later joined us briefly, but she was in a hurry to have her nails professionally removed before heading home. As we parted, Stephanie and I shared one last “en femme hug,” a tearful embrace from me. This may very well be the last time we see each other in person.
Later I went out to the car by myself to start it up as it had been sitting out in the Pennsylvania winter since Tuesday night, and I wanted no surprises before we hit the road. As I sat there, engine running, it dawned on me that this was the first time I’d ever been in my car dressed in full femme. It was a moment to remember, and I relished it.
One of the last things Beverly and I did before we started packing was to have lunch en femme at Moe’s Southwest Grille, a short driving distance from the Sheraton. But wait, you say, what’s the big deal, after many lunches and dinners at Keystone? Well, this was a femme sortie out into the world of cis-folk, just us alone, no other CDs in sight to support us. And the two servers who prepared our quesadillas didn’t even raise an eyebrow! In fact, after lunch, Beverly asked one of them to take our picture together, and he did, no questions asked!! That treasured photo is in my Private Photo gallery.
We spent the rest of Sunday packing up our femme stuff for the long drive back to Indiana. The mood was indeed somber as we came to grips with the absolute finality of our Keystone fantasy.
Words cannot describe, dear reader, the awesome reverence I feel toward my Keystone 2022 experience, a glow in my femme soul that will live with me for years to come. In five short days, I intensified my love of crossdressing a hundred-fold. My wish to all who read this is that you, too, will one day be able to experience such a transformational event in your femme life.
Hugs to all of you my CDH sisters!
XOXO,
Camryn
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Hi Camryn, well, you gave us all a trip down memory lane! It was indeed a magical week! I hope to see you at a future event, if not there, then somewhere. Of course we will see many of our dear friends across the veil, and renew our warm friendship! Thanks again for such a well-written series aboiut the conference. It just seems like last week!
Hi Brielle, I’m so happy you enjoyed my Keystone series! If my health holds up, I’d like to make it to Keystone 2023, even though I figured K-2022 would be my last. However, knowing that I would again meet up with you and all my CDH friends gives me the incentive to go again, even if I have to make the trip in a wheelchair!!
Hugs,
— Camryn
Hi Camryn,
thanks for a such a well written article making Keystone 2023 on my bucket list… thanks again for sharing…Leonara
Hi Leonara, if my article got you to thinking about going to Keystone 2023, then I would have to say….. mission accomplished! I would love to go again, and if we both make it there, we MUST finally meet!
Hugs,
–Camryn
Hi Camryn. I loved it all. It all sounds heavenly and I can’t wait to go in 2023. I sincerely hope you will be there too.
Susan.
Hi Susan, thank you so much for reading my Keystone memoirs! It was indeed as heavenly as it sounds. I wish I could hit rewind and do it all over again without changing a thing.
If all the stars align properly, maybe I’ll see you at K-2023!
— Camryn
Thanks Camryn for telling of your story. It brought me back to many wonderful memories.
Indeed, Roberta, many, many wonderful memories. I think if I have one regret about K-2022, it would be that we never got to spend a few more hours together while we were there. I was hoping that we would both be at the same evening dinner at least once, but, alas, it wasn’t to be. Hopefully, at K-2023?
— Camryn
Thanks for sharing your experience camryn. I think everyone who attended had a great time, I know I did. As you said the best part of the whole thing was meeting people especially those from cdh. Next year we need to get a group picture of all the cdh folks together!
Oh, for sure, Melanie! I don’t know how I could’ve missed you at the Friday CDH get-together, but I know now I missed a number of girls from CDH. Time got away from me, and I arrived late at the meet-up.
If at all possible, at Keystone 2023, ALL attendees from CDH should pull together for a CDH-only group pic!
Hugs,
— Camryn
In fairness there were 30-35 folks and the room was hard to see everyone in lol! I tried to get as many CDH folks together for a pic as I could on Saturday before dinner but I didn’t have contact info for most-we will have to try for an organized photo next year. That will be my 4th Keystone and look forward to revisiting with those I’ve already met and to meet more new CDH attendees like Leonara as well. If you have time and money for it, I highly recommend Esprit as well in Port Angeles, WA in early/mid… Read more »
Well, Cyn, it’s been over three months now since I got back home after Keystone. And as much as I’ve been saying this was my “final curtain", my last hurrah….. I’m already getting strong urges to go to Keystone again in 2023! I’m not much of a traveler and suffer “fear of flying", so I don’t see Esprit in my future. But Esprit sounds just as fun as Keystone, maybe even a bit more so since it’s more social activities and lasts a full week. Even if I can’t make it to K-2023, I would encourage all CDH attendees to… Read more »
Thanks for sharing Camryn. Sounds absolutely fabulous. I hope to attend a conference one day also!
Hope
Indeed, Hope, it certainly was the high point of my femme life so far, and I recommend it to all of my CDH sisters! An unforgettable experience!
Thanks for reading my article!
Hugs,
— Camryn
Such a pleasure to read of your adventure. I’m glad you enjoyed it as much as I did. Keystone is a fabulous escape!
Hi Alexandra, you were there?!? And we didn’t get to meet? I’m finding that there were so many other of my CDH sisters there at Keystone 2022 whom I didn’t get to meet.
Maybe at Keystone 2023?
Thanks for reading my article!
Hugs,
— Camryn
Definitely! I would love to say hello and talk shop. So sorry I missed you 🙂
Hi Camryn. Just finished reading your article. It was great meeting Beverly and you. I think your article really shows the enjoyment we all had at Keystone. Sheri say hi.
BobbiJo
Hi BobbiJo, thanks for reading Part 3 of my Keystone article. Really brought back memories, didn’t it? It was indeed great meeting you and your wife, and I hope that somewhere, sometime, we’ll find ourselves all having dinner together once again!
Hugs,
— Camryn
What a wonderful story! I always enjoy reading and hearing the stories of people attending Keystone. It really is a magical journey. I was there on Friday afternoon- Saturday night (I’ve never missed a Keystone). It was wonderful seeing old friends and meeting new people after so many years.
Your pictures are delightful! 🙂
Be well!
Hi Sophie, thanks for reading Part 3, and thanks for your words of encouragement! You were there?!? Another CDH member I missed meeting!
For Keystone 2023, Cyn suggested making a more organized effort to get ALL of us CDHers together for a group photo. That’s a lot of girls in one frame!
Hugs,
— Camryn
Hi Camryn thanks for sharing your experience at Keystone, like you I’m a closeted crossdresser, I’ve always wanted to attend an event and let my inner woman out in the big wide world, i live in the UK so can’t get to Keystone unless i make it a special occasion,
Hugs Rozalyn X
Hi Rozalyn, I’m still a closeted crossdresser, even though I went to the Keystone conference. It could be said that Keystone was just one big closet with a lot of crossdressers in it! And Keystone is an international event, you know. One night on the bus to dinner I listened to a crossdresser conversation in French. And I made the acquaintance of Cristy Garcia who is from Guatemala. However, I’m sorry to say I heard no UK accents. My traveling companion at K-2022 expected her friend from Scotland to attend, but canceled at the last minute. I hope that one… Read more »
Hi Camryn thanks for replying to my post, yes I’ve heard of Leeds first Friday, I’m hoping to get to attend it one day soon, there is also a big one in Manchester i think it’s called starlight I’m not sure,
Hugs Rozalyn X
Right, Rozalyn, I think the one in Manchester is called “Sparkle". I don’t know much about it, but it might be a shorter drive for you than Leeds.
I hope you get to go to at least one such trans event.
Hugs,
— Camryn
Hi Camryn i think you are right the one in Manchester is called “Sparkle", I think i would rather go to the one in Leeds though i original come from Manchester and i might get recognised by people that know me, no one knows about my crossdressing life not even my wife which is a bit awkward,
Well it’s something to sort out in the future,
Hugs Rozalyn X
Long before I went to the Keystone conference, I stopped worrying about whether or not I would be recognized by someone I know while there. If “someone" did, then that person would’ve most likely been a crossdresser themselves!
— Camryn
Hi Camryn I’m not so worried about people i used to know, I’m more worried if it my own family that recognises me incase they start to disown me because of my crossdressing, i have a big family in and around Manchester,
We have a lot of family party’s in Manchester,
Hugs Rozalyn X
Hi Camryn did you check my picture i uploaded, it’s called red dress i would love to see what you think about my look X
Hugs Rozalyn X
Hi Rozalyn,
I did check it out! Lookin’ good, girl! Looks like you’re ready for Keystone. Or Sparkle. Or Leeds First Friday. Or any other trans convention or gathering. One day, some day…… you know you have to do it!
Hugs,
— Camryn
Hi Camryn thanks for the compliment, i must do something about my makeup, I’ve mastered putting on my lipstick but it’s the rest i need lessons in,
I could always get a professional to do it for me,
I’m glad you like my dress it’s a nice party dress X
Hugs Rozalyn X
Hi Camryn,
I’ve just uploaded another picture of me, this one is of my favourite dress , let me know what you think, if i ever get to Keystone this is the dress i would wear during the day, i don’t think it’s a party dress as such,
Hugs Rozalyn X
Hi Rozalyn, yes, that dress would work for daywear at Keystone. Evening attire was usually something a bit more formal. If you want to get an idea of what the other girls were wearing, have a look in my Private Gallery. (Pay no attention to me, I look positively dowdy compared to the other ladies).
Hugs,
— Camryn
Hi Camryn i wouldn’t say you look dowdy, i think you look really lovely, i think i would look dowdy along side some of the other girls, i think it’s time i started to diet i need to drop two or three dress sizes, it would be lovely to get to Keystone at least once in my life time and meet up with all the other girls,
Hugs Rozalyn X
Diet or no diet, doesn’t matter the dress size, you could never regret going to an event like Keystone!
— Camryn
Hi Camryn yes i know it would be lovely to go to Keystone and be with all the girls, it’s just me the size i am make’s me feel a bit frumpy, i have a spare tyre round my stomach and i think it makes me look pregnant , i just wish i had a flatter stomach,
I’ve uploaded another picture i would like to know what you think it’s titled pink Party Dress,
Hugs Rozalyn X
I see it. Nice dress. I don’t see the “spare tyre" you’re talking about, though. Could be that the dress hides it nicely.
Hugs,
— Camryn
Hi Camryn thanks for the compliment, it does flare out a bit on the skirt part so it does hide a multitude of sins,
Hugs Rozalyn X
I think you’re onto something, Rozalyn. I’ve always been a big fan of A-line dresses, and flared skirts. They can really improve a girl’s figure!
— Camryn
Hi Camryn i much prefer wearing dresses than slacks or jeans, i have quite a collection of dresses in different colours and styles, I’m determined to attend a venue at least once in my life, there is a place near to me called transformation and they do 4 hour makeover’s where they do your makeup and hair and nails, i would love to have a makeover and see what it would feel like to look like a woman for real,
Hugs Rozalyn X
I had my nails done at Keystone and it was wonderful. There were several makeover artists at the Conference and I may have been able to book a makeover, but I just couldn’t squeeze in an appointment. So much to do, so little time.
So, it’ll be awhile before I’m able to have my first pro makeover.
— Camryn
Hi Camryn you are right so much to do and so little time,
So if i went to Keystone i could have my makeup and nails done professionally, that would be great, all i would need to concentrate on would be my voice and not sound like Lee Marvin with a bad cold , lol X
Hugs Rozalyn X
I heard virtually NO crossdressers or trans-folk practising voice feminization at Keystone. There was even a few “James Earl Jones’s"!!
— Camryn
Hi Camryn so it’s a place i can be myself voice and all,
It would be nice to go out all made up and wear a nice party dress for a change instead of wearing drab man clothes,
Hugs Rozalyn X