RANSVESTIA

or necessary visitors. I am a “night creature," often working until after midnight. I have found that I can, in this way, be my girl self at least half of the time.

A part of my work requires occasional field trips into remote areas to collect fossils and other geological specimens, photos and background information for the booklets and for scientific and technical displays. For these trips I have a van-type vehicle that is both transportation and mobile home. In areas where I figure it is safe, I park in a secluded area, off the road. Then I can dress as a woman and go about my field work. The dress used in this work consists of fly-front women's jeans; simple, single color blouse over feminine underthings; a short style wig; a wide brim hat and boots. The hat and boots are of the type adopted by the campus young people in their unisex life style, but are, at the same time, quite utilitarian for either sex in the out-of-doors. A light mannish jacket completes the outfit, if needed. A sun-screen lotion, lipstick and clear nail polish takes care of the cosmetics, with a nice touch or two of perfume. Although this field costume will, to many of my sisters, seem to lack the feminity we strive for, I feel very feminine and at the same time, I am protected, in the case of a rare encounter with another per- son, as I don't use a large bust here and the lipstick I use can be wiped off adequately, as the person approaches from a distance. Even if I am read, I still would be on reasonably safe ground, as the person would be a stranger, the nearest phone and police or sheriff many hours or miles away. My few contacts with people, under these conditions, have not caused me any trouble. I am aware that I must keep in mind that I am a girl alone in the wilderness. I am careful, but to certain predatory humans, no one is safe when alone in these remote areas. In the evening, when I return to my camper, I clean up, fix my supper and then change into a more colorful blouse, a skirt and low-heeled shoes. A brighter lipstick, a favorite piece or two of jewelry, freshening of my perfume and I'm ready for a couple of hours of working on my notes and planning for the next day's work. At bedtime, as at home, a pretty night gown and I'm ready for a refreshing night's sleep. In the morning I shave and dress for the day, before fixing breakfast.

If these trips, as they usually do, cover a number of areas, miles apart, ever one or more weeks, I plan to interrupt the trip in the middle, check into a motel and spend a night. A hot bath and an hour at a launderette is valuable. Of course I must use masculine attire while on the road and while "outside" at the motel, but after checking in, a hot bath comes first, then a session doing my laundry. After dinner in a nearby cafe, I

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