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While the conference is fresh I wanted to put down some thoughts and musings about it. For starters, I arrived Thursday in drab. As I entered the hotel I wondered how long it would take me to recognize anyone from CDH. Approaching the front desk to check in, I glanced to the right and spotted Melodee’s red hair. Ok, took me what, about 3 seconds to see someone I knew. THAT was a good start.
After scoping out the first floor, bar area and restaurant scene I actually felt out of place being in drab. All these girls around me having a good time and here’s me in drab. And I hadn’t registered yet - so didn’t even have a name badge so that at least they would know I was a part of it. So, off to upstairs to get ready and come back!
Anyone who’s read my posts on CDH knows I’m an “indoor cat”. This would be my first time out publicly since 1996. I got ready and went back down to the bar. I waded up to it and ordered a Diet Coke. When the bartender brought it I said “how much?” He answered - It’s on the house sweetie. Now….as a dyed in the wool heterosexual male - why did I like that? I still can’t figure it out but I did. I usually go for cute so I didn’t mind being called a sweetie.
As Angela alluded to in her article on Keystone, I was mainly there to meet the CDH’ers. You can’t meet them all and have a meaningful conversation with everyone you want to. Plus you meet others as well. Everyone was welcoming even if you didn’t know them. The sisterhood was strong there. It was….really cool.
After I registered I ran into Melodee and she gave me an “enhancement” for my name badge. I’ll put a pic in my private photos. I did save my badge as I’m sentimental about the small silly stuff in life. But it meant a lot to me and it felt great to be included as “one of the girls”. (BTW…Melodee’s makeup was EXQUISITE. Gorgeous close up.) Someone mentioned - I think it was Angela - how good everyone looked in person. She was right. One girl I was talking to in the bar said - “Oh, nobody here is passable…” I was thinking as she said that - have you looked around at some of these ladies you twit!? It’s my humble opinion if you can dress up and look pretty good…that’s passable enough.🥰
I was also lucky to catch Alex in a quiet moment to thank her for everything she was doing for the conference. She was like the CDH quarterback…running all over the place. Such a cutie too. All the outfits she was featuring here on the site - I got to see in person and what a variety of good looks! She was kind and gracious. Connie was also a welcoming presence on the scene - as I sensed she had an eye on us girls from CDH and was looking out for us. The hotel was a little on the colder side so we huddled up to the fireplace pretty much the entire time.
Some of my favorite moments were in drab at breakfast. The first morning I was next to Marg Produe and a nicer lady you will never meet. And just a fascinating life too, I was mesmerized by her stories. Her take on things is so positive and she’s just a good spirit to be around. Love ya Marg!🥰
Okay, this next one is a BIGGIE. Day 2 breakfast with Angela Wagner. In DRAB. Oh yeah. I was there at the restaurant before her so I put my name badge on the edge of the table since we’re meeting in drab. I get a call. “I went through the restaurant and couldn’t find you.” ( I don’t know if that was a good thing or bad thing. Probably good. Nobody would realize that I’m Grace Palmer if they see me in drab.) I waved him over. First thing I found out was we share the same boys name. Know what it is? Can you keep a secret? Me too.🥰
So we’re at the breakfast buffet. And Angela says she never eats breakfast. Just a little juice. Okay. I drink about 2 gallons of coffee before I eat anyway. So we proceeded to chat like little girls for at least an hour. She finally went and got herself a breakfast plate, eggs, potatoes, some fruit and the like. I ordered an omelette. Angie sees it and says that looks good, I think I’ll get one of those too. Well, it is a buffett - go for it girl! So she gets her omelette. Eats it. Says that was pretty good, I think I’ll get another one. I say again, go for it! This was getting kind of hilarious for someone who never eats breakfast. As she’s picking up the second omelette mind you, she spots a waffle. “They have waffles too?” Yes, they do! “Well, I think after I finish this second omelette I’ll have to order a waffle!” And she did! And ate it all. She chased all this with multiple glasses of orange juice. I told her - “They’re gonna kick us out for eating too much.” Well, her anyway. She did insist that this was all she was eating until the dinner gala later that night. And I did insist that I would put this episode on CDH in some manner or another. And she said I had her permission to do so. It was quite funny as it played out. You couldn’t help but think - This girl can really eat and where the h*** does she put it as she has a fairly svelte figure.
OMG, I’ve written a whole book here but I cannot leave out meeting Danica Daroy. Fantastic lady. She doesn’t talk about how MANY outfits she has…(she brought 20 to Keystone). She describes them in terms of the number of POUNDS of clothes she has…(over 100!) And she’s just as down-to-earth and hilarious as you would think from reading some of her profile and comments here. She could have picked me up and bench-pressed me over her head. Just a good ‘ol girl who I’m glad to have got to know a little and look forward to hanging out with in future events.
I want to conclude this topic by saying that if there’s a more conservative crossdresser than Grace Palmer - I sure don’t know who it is as we haven’t met yet. I don’t agree with everything I saw in Keystone. But personally I have zero agenda in life other than live and let live. So I don’t dwell on my perceived negatives. Life’s just too short to not try new things that you’ve wondered about. Keystone was an EXCEPTIONAL experience that I would highly recommend to anyone wanting to progress in the art/hobby of their crossdressing. You will meet similar, interesting people, make a few new friends and probably learn a few new things too. You can enjoy it on whatever level is comfortable for you. I know I did.🥰
GP
@gracepal thanks for sharing Grace, you have such interesting stories. I’d love to meet you sometime, you sure do seem like a lot of fun to hang around with.
@gracepal Thank you Grace, this is the first account of Keystone 2025 that I have read and I throughly enjoyed it.
@shadowqueen You’re welcome AnnaBeth. I’m still processing what a fine time it all was☺️
@gracepal Oh Grace, thank you, what a wonderful depiction of your experience. It must be sooo much fun meeting girls face to face with whom you've only ever interacted on CDH. So many familiar names.
Hopefully the UK LFF meet up in August will be similarly inspiring. Of course it is unlikely that shy closetted Chrissie will be able to make it 😭😭😭 xx.
@chrisfp99 Oh my, Chrissie. I'm completely and totally sure the UKLFF will be every bit the exciting and rewarding event that KS is. Think carefully before missing this seminal event. Go, go, go go. Hugs Marg
@gracepal Oh for sure Grace. I had intended to go but had already accepted a request to make an intersex presentation at the Atlanta Comfort Conference by the time that those dates were finalized. The ladies behind UKLFF are a wonderful group and it should be a smashing event. Hopefully I can make the next UKLFF (and combine that with a Spitfire flight too while I'm there). Party on! Marg
@chrisfp99 Chrissie another takeaway you just reminded me of is that not only are girls way prettier in person than in photos - they have totally different personalities than what we’re expecting from interacting with them in the ether. It’s so easy to get wrong impressions about people when you’re “online only” with them.
@gracepal Oh Grace, it was fun dining with you too. Same time next year? Hugs, Marg
@gracepal So nice to read about your experience at Keystone, Grace. I was there for only one night and unfortunately could not make the CDH meet up as I arrived late on Friday. I was struck by how kind and welcoming everyone was, I felt I could be friends with everyone there. What an experience! Loved the Gala, and somehow survived the speeches 🙂
I hope to meet and get to know more CDH girls next year!
@dita I saw you at the Gala Dita but didn't get a chance to talk with so much going on. Perhaps next year. BTW, you looked lovely. Marg
@gafran Oh thank you Fran and right back to you. (I'm blushing!) It was a lot of fun hanging around with you too. See you at Atlanta. Hugs, Marg
@margprodue Thank you much Marg, I was like a deer in headlights initially with so much to take in all at once and only got my bearings late on Sat. Now I wish I was there a few more days to get to know more of you wonderful ladies 🙂 Hugs
@dita Oh yes, it is a lot to absorb the first time that you are there. I expect to be at KS again next year and maybe we can find some time to talk then. I can usually be found at the breakfast around 7 otherwise just look for a small, blonde lady wearing a Born This Way name tag. So glad that you could make it even if it was just for a short time. Hugs, Marg
Wow, Grace! I honestly think this is one of the most interesting personal-story Forum posts I have ever read. I mean, I was AT Keystone, and you still made everything come alive for me.
And everybody, I can personally attest that everything that Grace said about our breakfast was 100% accurate. With one exception.
I didn’t eat any fruit. LOL
@theunrealangelawagner Well, the good news AW is that at least you still managed to look lovely in your gown that evening.🥰
Great story Grace,
So much to see and do at these events.
I too showed up in drab. Checked in and grabbed a cart to unload my car. It was a super long day. About 13 hours of driving. Once up in my room Fran took charge. Got ready and off to dinner we went.
I did meet a lot of our lovely CDH girls. That's always a thrill!
When Sunday came to ease the departing blues. I drove home as Fran. It took only 12 hours this time. Lol
I think I passed Danica's tractor trailer that hauls her spare changes of clothes!
Fran 🥰
@gafran 13 hours of driving….oh, he** no!!! That’s funny where you mention “Fran took charge”. These alter ego gals we hang out with are just like the real ones - they always get their way🤷♀️🥰
Thank you for sharing, Grace - what a wonderful experience! I hope to attend next year!
XO Shawna
Hi Grace,
I was there. My first at KS and only my second time out. The first was in PTown last October. But once I navigated that, I felt like I could do anything. So KS appeared and I jumped in. And what a great decision!
I arrived Thursday afternoon. Once I navigated the parking garage, I was in the hotel check in area. As I entered, I immediately, I said this is where I belong. I saw gorgeous girls walking about. I can't wait to join them. However, my room isn't done. I am asked to return in 90 minutes. That felt like 900 minutes. Torture.
I obtained my room in the time they said it would be available. Got the key. Now I am in the speed up mode of getting my make up on in three seconds. I don't care. I just want to get down to the 2nd or 3rd floors. And it was the beginning of a great weekend.
Hopefully more to come
@mollygirl Yep, same here Molly. Definitely glad I flew to that event. Just Ubering from the airport those roads seemed like quite a cluster****.
While a pain to have to put on enough makeup to last the whole day before breakfast, I didn't have a single drab meal at Keystone. I was presenting as Alison the whole time, except for perhaps trying on a few wigs at one of the sessions.
@alison-anderson I was certainly impressed by the girls who came down to breakfast fully dressed. There were a few I thought were GG’s too. Probably here for business, etc. Nope, part of KS! That’s true dedication to the cause 😊
I am glad you have fun at Keystone, Grace. It is an unforgettable experience.
Still I am en femme but I have my first two meals in drab. However, as soon as a nice lady was serving me coffee during that first breakfast on Tuesday she gave me a big smile and said: "Oh my God. I am so glad you came back". I smiled back. She makes my day. So I didn't last long incognito. The people of Harrisburg are very friendly.
I finally had time to get dressed in the afternoon after lunch. Before that, I said hello to Melodee, so maybe we ran into each other in drab then.
Gisela
@firefly They were indeed very friendly and you could tell that it wasn’t forced either. That’s what was one of the best parts about the conference.
@gracepal I just love that, Grace. Their acceptance boost my self-confidence a year ago and I have only kept going forward. I am alive and kicking.
Gisela
@firefly The mingling in the hotel was the best part for me. Hearing people’s stories and experiences. Small groups of crossdressers chit-chatting. It struck me that I’ve been in hotel lobbies chatting with different groups with different hobbies literally all my adult life. Once, I encountered what I assumed were hikers and they turned out to be “spelunkers” which are cave explorers. Fascinating bunch they were. Whenever I go to a travel softball tournament and I have my uniform on eating breakfast - someone always asks me what’s an old man doing in a softball getup? They have no idea it’s this whole serious thing. I don’t see why crossdressing has to be any different from those groups, I really don’t. You did get a sense from some of the hotel staff that they were utterly fascinated by us. The smart ones could see that we were about the least threatening group of people they could have ever had stay there. BTW, how long of a trip is that from Panama GC?
@gracepal I agree. It takes three flights and thirteen hours. I can tell it is totally worthy. And I am convinced I deserve it. So it's not a big deal. Yesterday during lunch I was seated next to an old couple. They looked at me a few times. They turned out to be very nice. They wanted to know where I am from, if I had enjoyed the conference and if it happens every year. Earlier in the morning people of the Presbyterian Church were really nice too.
Gisela
@firefly Well you totally deserve it as we all do. Man, that’s some long flights Gisela…whew! I dunno….maybe. I did have fun envisioning my checked bag bursting open and all my feminine finery exploding in the airport. That would have been hilarious! I’d sure have some “s’planing to do. NOT!🤣
Wow! Glad to hear you went Grace . Sounds like a lovely time
@coloradog1 Highly recommend Natalie. Ideal place for a first time public outing IMHO.👩🦳
@coloradog1 Maybe you could try Esprit in May at Port Angeles, Washington. A few CDH girls will go there and it's closer to your home. It is another lovely experience.
Gisela
@firefly I’m definitely going to attend more events like KS going forward. It was too much fun🥰
Grace, Thanks for the details about the Keystone event. Some day, maybe, I will be able to participate. Being out and around others with a similar interest would be a wonderful experience.
Plus, crossdressing is just plain fun.
Staci…
@gracepal It was so great to meet you! You welcome for the ribbon and it's meant sincerely - you are fab! And thank you for the lovely compliment! 😊
Apologies if I came on like a hurricane lol I'm very...erm...."energetic" at big events. Flitting about meeting new people and reacquainting with those met previously - there's never enough time!
I'm glad you enjoyed your time and I hope to see you again next year!
@melodeescarlet There is definitely never enough time for it all Melodee. I cannot believe some of the girls I didn’t get a chance to mingle with a little. Your positive energy was a breath of fresh air as far as I’m concerned. As I said originally, I wasn’t kidding when I spotted you 2 seconds inside the door of the hotel. My mind instantly flashed to the scene in Animal House where Flounder rubs his hands together and says: “This is gonna be so great!”. And then it was🥰
