Where Have All The Bohemians Gone

Last night I dreamed I was traveling the Moroccan coast Kerouac-style in one of these decayed gems with the Grateful Dead blazing my path. It was actually a peaceful dream. Maybe there is something to be said about having only 35 cents in your back pocket and no fear of being a bag lady.

Stacks Photo

I was sort of dressed like this in one of these gorgeous frocks.

Free People Look Book 2011 Photo

The spell of the Bohemia will never be broken. It keeps coming back more beautiful than ever.
Right here in Wellfleet you can experience a little "boho-chic" at the Colony of Wellfleet.

Recently the New York Times Summer Travel Issue featured this once Bohemian glamour spot.
The Times writes about the The Wellfleet Ten; the 10 Bauhaus cottages originally known as the exclusive Mayo Hill Colony, a private club, designed by architect and art collector Nathanial Saltonstall in 1949 (Nathanial btw co-founded the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston.)

The cottages were designed to introduce the "outdoor experience" to high society types in the 1950's. Pedigrees who had servants at home to hand clip their Japanese yew, could actually pluck their own blossoms from the Wellfleet "picking garden" and dance the dunes with flowers in their hair. It was not only a social club, it was transcendental communal experience. And this was all pre-Woodstock and the legendary Summer of Love.

These cottages were later bought by the Stephanis family circa 1963 when it then became a frequent stop to the famous New York literary crowd, and was also visited by the likes of Paul Newman and Faye Dunaway. So chic.

Photo: Everett Collection/REX USA/Mayo Emblem & Paul Newman a one time guest

I'm bummed I missed all that. And, unfortunately, I don't think I'm going to be able to make it to Morrocco this summer for the true Bohemian retro-experience. I'm not kidding it was really a great dream!

Photo of Paul and Talitha Getty in Marrakech in 1969 by Patrick Lichfield

But I might have to check out the Colony of Wellfleet; (508) 349-3761; colonyofwellfleet.com. Cottages from $1,250 per week, open late May to mid-September.

Full article of Wellfleet Ten at: http://tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/05/13/the-well-fleet-ten/