1 00:00:00,320 --> 00:00:02,080 Do you trust me? Do you trust me? 2 00:00:02,120 --> 00:00:04,000 And we're off. Woohoo! 3 00:00:04,040 --> 00:00:07,040 'Imagine starting your life all over again...' 4 00:00:07,080 --> 00:00:08,680 Where is Ben? 5 00:00:08,720 --> 00:00:10,320 I'm needed? Ben, you're needed. 6 00:00:10,360 --> 00:00:13,320 '..leaving behind everything you know...' 7 00:00:13,360 --> 00:00:16,600 Just a bicycle, suitcase, no money, that's all I had. 8 00:00:16,640 --> 00:00:19,240 '..for something completely different.' 9 00:00:19,280 --> 00:00:20,800 Er, number nine, let me take this off. 10 00:00:20,840 --> 00:00:23,120 Number nine. Number nine. Number nine. 11 00:00:23,160 --> 00:00:25,720 'I'm Ben Fogle, and over the next few weeks, 12 00:00:25,760 --> 00:00:27,880 'I'm going to live with the incredible people 13 00:00:27,920 --> 00:00:29,320 'who have done just that...' 14 00:00:29,360 --> 00:00:31,280 I'm a born fighter, 15 00:00:31,320 --> 00:00:33,480 and that's what I do get a kick out of. 16 00:00:33,520 --> 00:00:36,920 For a long time, I thought I was stupid. 17 00:00:36,960 --> 00:00:41,040 And I'm a good salesperson, and I'm selling this mountain hard! 18 00:00:41,080 --> 00:00:44,360 '..in some of the most remote places on Earth...' 19 00:00:44,400 --> 00:00:46,280 There is no restaurants, there is no bars, 20 00:00:46,320 --> 00:00:47,600 there is no nothing. 21 00:00:47,640 --> 00:00:49,920 You know, we didn't think that we were gonna come up here 22 00:00:49,960 --> 00:00:52,720 and not see humans for three to four months at a time. 23 00:00:52,760 --> 00:00:57,000 '..and see what it takes to live a new life in the wild.' 24 00:00:59,600 --> 00:01:01,080 Whoo! 25 00:01:01,120 --> 00:01:03,280 That is a quick way to take down a tree. 26 00:01:08,280 --> 00:01:11,240 'This week, I'm meeting Randilyn.' 27 00:01:11,280 --> 00:01:14,160 Do you love animals? Yeah. He's my boy. 28 00:01:14,200 --> 00:01:18,360 'An intriguing wild woman on a perpetual journey across America.' 29 00:01:18,400 --> 00:01:20,440 I am charting unknown territories. 30 00:01:20,480 --> 00:01:23,560 'This will be the first time on my wild adventures 31 00:01:23,600 --> 00:01:26,000 'that I'll be walking the open road myself.' 32 00:01:26,040 --> 00:01:28,160 Good boy. 'Where I'll learn how Randilyn 33 00:01:28,200 --> 00:01:30,880 'has tailormade her bespoke nomadic life...' 34 00:01:30,920 --> 00:01:35,960 So, this is main living quarters. And I sleep in here. Wow. 35 00:01:36,000 --> 00:01:39,120 '..while also experiencing the perils that come with it.' 36 00:01:39,160 --> 00:01:41,600 You know, I've done some dangerous stuff. 37 00:01:42,680 --> 00:01:45,240 This is ridiculous. 38 00:01:45,280 --> 00:01:46,920 HORNS HONK 39 00:01:46,960 --> 00:01:48,120 SIREN BEEPS 40 00:01:51,160 --> 00:01:55,720 I'm venturing nearly 4,500 miles across the Atlantic Ocean 41 00:01:55,760 --> 00:01:58,600 to the landlocked state of Missouri. 42 00:02:01,200 --> 00:02:02,920 Like many of its neighbours, 43 00:02:02,960 --> 00:02:07,080 Missouri is a land of striking contrasts, bustling cities, 44 00:02:07,120 --> 00:02:09,680 set against vast wilderness. 45 00:02:11,440 --> 00:02:15,880 It's a big state, roughly the size of England and Wales combined. 46 00:02:15,920 --> 00:02:19,040 But while those countries pack in around 1,000 people 47 00:02:19,080 --> 00:02:20,720 to every square mile, 48 00:02:20,760 --> 00:02:23,720 here it's closer to 90 per square mile. 49 00:02:25,120 --> 00:02:27,680 Leaving plenty of space to live as you like. 50 00:02:31,840 --> 00:02:34,920 This is the moment at which I start to get a little bit nervous 51 00:02:34,960 --> 00:02:37,760 because I'm just on the cusp, on the boundary, 52 00:02:37,800 --> 00:02:39,840 of entering her world. 53 00:02:39,880 --> 00:02:41,880 I know very little about Randilyn. 54 00:02:41,920 --> 00:02:45,680 All I know is that she lives a nomadic life. 55 00:02:45,720 --> 00:02:49,960 Over the years, I've visited people that live in camper vans, cars, 56 00:02:50,000 --> 00:02:53,080 lorries, buses, canal boats. 57 00:02:53,120 --> 00:02:57,480 So I'm anticipating her to have some mode of transport, 58 00:02:57,520 --> 00:03:00,960 but what that is, I have no idea. 59 00:03:03,040 --> 00:03:06,000 Expect the unexpected. That's what I've learnt. 60 00:03:06,040 --> 00:03:09,240 My instructions are to follow this road. 61 00:03:10,320 --> 00:03:13,840 And then onto a path that leads into a woodland 62 00:03:13,880 --> 00:03:16,280 where Randilyn is parked up. 63 00:03:21,600 --> 00:03:22,720 This has to be her. 64 00:03:23,840 --> 00:03:25,520 Randilyn? 65 00:03:26,960 --> 00:03:28,040 Hello. 66 00:03:29,640 --> 00:03:30,640 Wow. 67 00:03:31,800 --> 00:03:33,000 Hi, Randilyn. 68 00:03:33,040 --> 00:03:34,720 Hello. I'm Ben. So nice to meet you. 69 00:03:34,760 --> 00:03:36,440 Nice to meet you. Who's this? 70 00:03:36,480 --> 00:03:39,280 This is Pandora. Hi, Pandora. 71 00:03:39,320 --> 00:03:41,880 She's kinda the welcome committee around here. 72 00:03:41,920 --> 00:03:44,840 Wow. I don't really know where to begin. Who's this? 73 00:03:44,880 --> 00:03:46,680 Can I say hi? So, this is Roadhouse. 74 00:03:46,720 --> 00:03:49,040 He gets friendlier the more you touch him. 75 00:03:49,080 --> 00:03:51,640 Oh, look. Before you know it, he'll be following you around. 76 00:03:51,680 --> 00:03:53,120 Oh, so sweet. 77 00:03:53,160 --> 00:03:55,720 Can I have a little look around your camp? Yes. Yes, sir. 78 00:03:59,920 --> 00:04:03,720 40-year-old Randilyn grew up in suburban Missouri. 79 00:04:03,760 --> 00:04:04,880 After college, 80 00:04:04,920 --> 00:04:08,720 she worked in a number of jobs while raising her three children. 81 00:04:08,760 --> 00:04:12,880 But when they eventually flew the nest, Randilyn felt lost. 82 00:04:12,920 --> 00:04:15,040 Unsure of what came next, 83 00:04:15,080 --> 00:04:18,600 she decided to simply walk across the country 84 00:04:18,640 --> 00:04:21,280 with no fixed destination in mind. 85 00:04:21,320 --> 00:04:24,160 Five years on from that life-changing decision, 86 00:04:24,200 --> 00:04:27,120 she's still on the move but with a donkey-pulled wagon... 87 00:04:28,280 --> 00:04:29,960 ..among other things. 88 00:04:34,800 --> 00:04:36,200 This is quite something. 89 00:04:37,360 --> 00:04:39,120 So, hang on, have we got pigeons in here? 90 00:04:39,160 --> 00:04:42,000 Yes, there's pigeons all over, really. 91 00:04:42,040 --> 00:04:45,000 Friends? Food? Friends and food. 92 00:04:45,040 --> 00:04:46,480 Friends and food? CHUCKLES 93 00:04:47,640 --> 00:04:49,600 So talk me through all of this. This is amazing. 94 00:04:49,640 --> 00:04:52,280 So colourful. This is... it's a little bit messy today, 95 00:04:52,320 --> 00:04:56,360 we've had a lot of rain this week, but I actually sleep in here. 96 00:04:56,400 --> 00:05:00,040 Everything goes in here while we're moving. 97 00:05:00,080 --> 00:05:03,280 This is kind of how I started to give myself a little freedom 98 00:05:03,320 --> 00:05:05,440 away from debt and, you know, 99 00:05:05,480 --> 00:05:08,480 the crazy world that everybody's living in. 100 00:05:10,000 --> 00:05:12,120 'It might be crazy out there, 101 00:05:12,160 --> 00:05:15,280 'but right now, I'm trying to make sense of this reality. 102 00:05:15,320 --> 00:05:20,560 'Dogs, chickens, pigeons, donkeys.' 103 00:05:21,920 --> 00:05:25,320 So, this is your main... is this...? Main living quarters, here. 104 00:05:25,360 --> 00:05:27,560 Oh, there's another dog in here. Yeah, I have six dogs. 105 00:05:27,600 --> 00:05:30,120 Six dogs. Who's guarding your bed right now? 106 00:05:30,160 --> 00:05:32,200 This is Bless, and she's a little shy, 107 00:05:32,240 --> 00:05:34,360 but she's the wagon guardian. 108 00:05:34,400 --> 00:05:35,720 She was born to the wagon life. 109 00:05:35,760 --> 00:05:37,400 Yeah. She keeps anybody out of the way. 110 00:05:37,440 --> 00:05:39,200 And we have another little chihuahua there. 111 00:05:39,240 --> 00:05:42,160 He loves everyone. That's Emilo. Yeah. 112 00:05:43,400 --> 00:05:46,080 Wood-burning stove. Is that where you cook, or is that for heating? 113 00:05:46,120 --> 00:05:49,680 For heating, it's for cooking. I also have a grill. 114 00:05:49,720 --> 00:05:52,960 Yeah. A little outdoor camp. Yes, sir. 115 00:05:53,000 --> 00:05:56,200 So, I can see kitchen, bedroom, storage. 116 00:05:56,240 --> 00:06:00,120 Bathroom? It kinda depends. Sometimes... 117 00:06:01,920 --> 00:06:04,840 Or just putting the tarp around the base of the wagon, 118 00:06:04,880 --> 00:06:06,240 going under there. 119 00:06:06,280 --> 00:06:08,440 You just gotta get creative. 120 00:06:09,920 --> 00:06:13,000 'Randilyn lives with very few modern conveniences, 121 00:06:13,040 --> 00:06:14,240 'except for a mobile phone 122 00:06:14,280 --> 00:06:16,800 'and a solar charger that keep her connected.' 123 00:06:18,960 --> 00:06:22,200 How would you describe this and your lifestyle? 124 00:06:22,240 --> 00:06:25,480 Basically, the modern-day pioneer, I'd say. 125 00:06:25,520 --> 00:06:29,320 Very simple living and charting unknown territories 126 00:06:29,360 --> 00:06:32,040 and seeing what's out there. 127 00:06:36,280 --> 00:06:37,280 Wow. 128 00:06:39,520 --> 00:06:43,280 I... I have so many questions, 129 00:06:43,320 --> 00:06:46,760 but it's more about logistics, really, 130 00:06:46,800 --> 00:06:50,320 because I've never really seen this kind of set up. 131 00:06:50,360 --> 00:06:52,480 It's kind of a cross between a pioneer 132 00:06:52,520 --> 00:06:56,880 and a Gypsy lifestyle in the UK. 133 00:06:56,920 --> 00:07:00,560 And what I can't even begin to imagine 134 00:07:00,600 --> 00:07:05,720 is how she moves all of this... on sometimes a daily basis. 135 00:07:11,000 --> 00:07:15,240 You obviously love animals. Yes. Yes. He's my boy. 136 00:07:15,280 --> 00:07:18,360 "See, I do all the work. Mum couldn't do it without me. 137 00:07:18,400 --> 00:07:20,360 "I carry all this stuff." He is loving that. 138 00:07:21,920 --> 00:07:23,720 I know you don't ever have a particular plan, 139 00:07:23,760 --> 00:07:26,200 so I'm always wary of being that person who says, 140 00:07:26,240 --> 00:07:28,400 "What are we gonna do now?" 141 00:07:28,440 --> 00:07:32,040 Well, so we've gotta do dinner tonight. Yep. 142 00:07:32,080 --> 00:07:34,920 And that involves, unfortunately, pigeons. 143 00:07:34,960 --> 00:07:38,920 Hm-mm. I think I might leave you to the dispatching yourself. 144 00:07:38,960 --> 00:07:41,120 Oh, I understand. While I still eat meat, 145 00:07:41,160 --> 00:07:45,320 I think it's more ethical than just going to the grocery store and... 146 00:07:45,360 --> 00:07:48,680 Yeah, you never have to look at it and you don't have to face it, 147 00:07:48,720 --> 00:07:52,360 but are you putting other things through a hard life 148 00:07:52,400 --> 00:07:54,800 so that you can feel better about something? 149 00:07:54,840 --> 00:07:56,760 That's where I'm at with it. 150 00:07:56,800 --> 00:08:00,080 So I try to make sure I'm aware of what I'm eating 151 00:08:00,120 --> 00:08:02,840 and how it's living, if I can. 152 00:08:04,640 --> 00:08:06,360 'I don't eat much meat these days 153 00:08:06,400 --> 00:08:09,600 'but I admire how Randilyn takes responsibility 154 00:08:09,640 --> 00:08:11,880 'for the animals she consumes, 155 00:08:11,920 --> 00:08:15,200 'while also sourcing birds that have been raised outdoors.' 156 00:08:16,360 --> 00:08:18,800 OK. Come on, baby. 157 00:08:18,840 --> 00:08:20,960 Who taught you how to dispatch of a pigeon? 158 00:08:21,000 --> 00:08:26,720 No-one. I learned 13 years ago how to butcher a chicken from YouTube. 159 00:08:30,920 --> 00:08:37,040 And so, I found the fastest way is usually just cut their heads off. 160 00:08:37,080 --> 00:08:39,040 It's a lot less suffering. 161 00:08:39,080 --> 00:08:41,560 I don't want them to suffer is my main thing. 162 00:08:43,200 --> 00:08:46,680 Do you remember the first time you did it? Yeah. 163 00:08:46,720 --> 00:08:48,800 You remember every time you do it. 164 00:08:54,440 --> 00:08:56,880 I would offer to help, but I think I'll be more of a hinderance. 165 00:08:56,920 --> 00:08:59,480 You're making fast work of these birds. 166 00:08:59,520 --> 00:09:01,960 Yeah, they're not too hard to process. 167 00:09:02,000 --> 00:09:04,360 I'm beginning to understand, by... 168 00:09:05,560 --> 00:09:08,280 ..dragging the little carts with your pigeons, 169 00:09:08,320 --> 00:09:11,880 that's your form of refrigeration, keeping them alive. 170 00:09:11,920 --> 00:09:15,960 Yes. And just dispatching them when you need them. 171 00:09:16,000 --> 00:09:17,440 Yes. 172 00:09:20,640 --> 00:09:22,640 Looks good. Thank you. 173 00:09:22,680 --> 00:09:27,520 'The older I get, the more squeamish I've become about killing animals. 174 00:09:27,560 --> 00:09:30,400 'But there's an undeniably organic feel 175 00:09:30,440 --> 00:09:32,920 'to the lifestyle Randilyn has created.' 176 00:09:34,920 --> 00:09:35,960 There you go. 177 00:09:37,200 --> 00:09:39,920 Pandora, can I sit on your seat for a little bit? 178 00:09:39,960 --> 00:09:45,320 This looks incredible. Smell is amazing. 179 00:09:52,560 --> 00:09:53,560 Wow. 180 00:09:54,600 --> 00:09:56,120 It's really good. Thank you. 181 00:09:57,400 --> 00:09:59,760 Is cooking something you actually enjoy? 182 00:09:59,800 --> 00:10:02,720 Yes, I do. I like to cook for people, especially. 183 00:10:02,760 --> 00:10:05,920 Honestly, when it's just me, I eat snack foods a lot. 184 00:10:05,960 --> 00:10:09,800 Hm-mm. Or I cook a meal, but it lasts me, like, three days. 185 00:10:09,840 --> 00:10:14,320 Hm-mm. As much as I'm busy, especially when I love every day, 186 00:10:14,360 --> 00:10:16,560 but I've tried to make a system 187 00:10:16,600 --> 00:10:19,320 to where I can kinda enjoy a little bit of time, 188 00:10:19,360 --> 00:10:23,600 cos the whole point of this lifestyle is to slow down. 189 00:10:30,880 --> 00:10:34,160 This is definitely not what I was anticipating. 190 00:10:37,160 --> 00:10:41,360 She's very philosophical and thoughtful, 191 00:10:41,400 --> 00:10:44,320 and she is a very chilled individual 192 00:10:44,360 --> 00:10:47,440 that I feel really comfortable around. 193 00:10:47,480 --> 00:10:50,160 But I don't think anything can quite prepare you 194 00:10:50,200 --> 00:10:55,920 for how unusual her choice of lifestyle is. 195 00:11:03,680 --> 00:11:06,600 BEN: It's my first morning in the woodlands of Missouri. 196 00:11:08,360 --> 00:11:10,760 Morning, donkeys. Hello. 197 00:11:10,800 --> 00:11:12,120 'I'm here with Randilyn, 198 00:11:12,160 --> 00:11:14,840 a self-professed modern-day pioneer.' 199 00:11:14,880 --> 00:11:16,000 Good morning. 200 00:11:16,040 --> 00:11:19,320 'Who roams the country with an assortment of wagons and animals.' 201 00:11:19,360 --> 00:11:20,640 BARKING 202 00:11:20,680 --> 00:11:22,240 Hi, Randilyn. 203 00:11:22,280 --> 00:11:24,320 Hello. Oh, my God. 204 00:11:24,360 --> 00:11:26,600 How many dogs have you got in there with you? 205 00:11:26,640 --> 00:11:30,600 Oh, the puppies. Say hi, Emilio. Would you like some coffee? 206 00:11:30,640 --> 00:11:33,000 I would love some coffee. Awesome. 207 00:11:33,040 --> 00:11:34,680 Ah. So cool. I love this. 208 00:11:34,720 --> 00:11:37,440 It's kinda like from a children's book, almost. 209 00:11:38,720 --> 00:11:41,960 It's kinda picture... Oh, look at this. Randilyn. 210 00:11:42,000 --> 00:11:43,760 I love you. This is amazing. 211 00:11:46,040 --> 00:11:48,360 'We're packing up and moving on today, 212 00:11:48,400 --> 00:11:51,400 'but before any of that, it's feeding time.' 213 00:11:52,640 --> 00:11:56,240 They say they're ready to eat, too. Yeah, everyone's ready to eat. 214 00:11:58,720 --> 00:12:00,760 Chickens, I'm not sure that that is your food. 215 00:12:03,160 --> 00:12:04,560 This is for the puppies. 216 00:12:04,600 --> 00:12:05,880 Hello. PANDORA BARKS 217 00:12:05,920 --> 00:12:08,840 Hello. Good morning. Come and have that over there. 218 00:12:08,880 --> 00:12:12,080 There you go. In the morning, it's pretty much a ruckus. 219 00:12:12,120 --> 00:12:13,760 PIGEONS COOING 220 00:12:13,800 --> 00:12:17,000 This is one of your big expenses, is it? Yeah. 221 00:12:17,040 --> 00:12:19,520 My biggest expenses are feed and phone. 222 00:12:19,560 --> 00:12:24,520 Probably $60 to $70 a month for dog food 223 00:12:24,560 --> 00:12:27,800 and maybe 40 for the chicken food and pigeon food. 224 00:12:28,960 --> 00:12:31,520 'Randilyn pays for this and any other costs 225 00:12:31,560 --> 00:12:34,520 'by making leather goods, which she sells on her travels.' 226 00:12:36,240 --> 00:12:39,480 Do you enjoy the responsibility of looking after so many animals? 227 00:12:39,520 --> 00:12:40,760 Most of the time. 228 00:12:40,800 --> 00:12:42,480 When does it get on top of you? 229 00:12:42,520 --> 00:12:45,360 Erm, in the winter, I worry a little more, 230 00:12:45,400 --> 00:12:47,160 you know, with weather and temperatures. 231 00:12:47,200 --> 00:12:50,280 Even people in houses lose their animals, you know. 232 00:12:50,320 --> 00:12:53,120 'It often drops well below freezing in this part of America.' 233 00:12:53,160 --> 00:12:54,480 Three contented donkeys. 234 00:12:54,520 --> 00:12:57,640 'So it's easy to see how caring for the animals she relies on 235 00:12:57,680 --> 00:13:00,800 'for company and sustenance can weigh on Randilyn's mind.' 236 00:13:00,840 --> 00:13:02,920 Does your camp always look the same...? 237 00:13:02,960 --> 00:13:05,400 'It makes me curious about why she chose to live like this 238 00:13:05,440 --> 00:13:06,680 'in the first place.' 239 00:13:09,400 --> 00:13:12,440 So, have you ever had a kind of conventional job? 240 00:13:13,480 --> 00:13:17,040 Yeah. I spent my early years as... 241 00:13:18,360 --> 00:13:19,520 ..a house person. 242 00:13:19,560 --> 00:13:20,960 CHUCKLES 243 00:13:21,000 --> 00:13:23,720 I've been a veterinary technician, 244 00:13:23,760 --> 00:13:25,600 machine operator and an aircraft mechanic. 245 00:13:25,640 --> 00:13:26,640 Wow. 246 00:13:26,680 --> 00:13:30,080 So when you say veterinary technician, I see that. 247 00:13:30,120 --> 00:13:35,000 You love animals. Yeah. But an aircraft technician? 248 00:13:35,040 --> 00:13:38,480 Highly sophisticated, complex work. Yes. I can't... 249 00:13:38,520 --> 00:13:42,280 I find that hard to see you in that environment. 250 00:13:42,320 --> 00:13:44,400 It was a different life. 251 00:13:44,440 --> 00:13:47,560 And in the aircraft industry, it was mainly... 252 00:13:47,600 --> 00:13:50,800 I was always skilled with my hands and figuring things out. 253 00:13:50,840 --> 00:13:55,960 So it was a stark contrast, but I've used that lifestyle a lot 254 00:13:56,000 --> 00:13:58,360 to help make this lifestyle possible. 255 00:13:58,400 --> 00:14:01,840 It's what gave me the ability to, like, build wagons, for instance. 256 00:14:01,880 --> 00:14:05,200 But despite the fact that I was excelling in my job, 257 00:14:05,240 --> 00:14:08,840 I struggled a lot with the pressures of, you know, 258 00:14:08,880 --> 00:14:10,360 providing for children. 259 00:14:10,400 --> 00:14:14,240 Not being home as much as I'd been when they were really little. 260 00:14:14,280 --> 00:14:17,840 And just not feeling like I was giving, 261 00:14:17,880 --> 00:14:21,400 you know, my children and my farm adequate time. 262 00:14:22,400 --> 00:14:26,840 And I decided in late 2014, I just... 263 00:14:26,880 --> 00:14:29,240 didn't want to keep chasing the rat race. 264 00:14:29,280 --> 00:14:31,200 My son had moved out. 265 00:14:31,240 --> 00:14:34,960 He'd come to age and wanted to go out and be a man. 266 00:14:35,000 --> 00:14:39,800 And you have to kinda step back and let them do that as a parent. 267 00:14:39,840 --> 00:14:42,520 As much as I wasn't really fond of it, 268 00:14:42,560 --> 00:14:45,520 you know, you can't hold them back, so... 269 00:14:46,720 --> 00:14:49,280 ..empty nest syndrome kinda got me. 270 00:14:49,320 --> 00:14:52,280 I'm not quite there yet, but my kids are just a few years away 271 00:14:52,320 --> 00:14:55,160 and I'm already dreading it. 272 00:14:55,200 --> 00:14:58,240 Yeah. It's hard. It's kinda... 273 00:14:58,280 --> 00:15:00,760 part of what set me to travelling. 274 00:15:00,800 --> 00:15:02,640 You know, when your kids come of age 275 00:15:02,680 --> 00:15:05,960 and your entire world's been kind of centred on them 276 00:15:06,000 --> 00:15:08,760 and trying to make a life for them, 277 00:15:08,800 --> 00:15:11,720 and then you're like, "Wait, who am I? 278 00:15:11,760 --> 00:15:14,200 "What have I been doing for the last 20 years? 279 00:15:14,240 --> 00:15:15,920 "Do I even know any more?" 280 00:15:15,960 --> 00:15:18,040 And I woke up one morning... 281 00:15:19,560 --> 00:15:22,680 ..and I just couldn't handle it any more. 282 00:15:23,920 --> 00:15:28,680 So that's kinda the day that I decided I was going to do this. 283 00:15:28,720 --> 00:15:30,440 I didn't really have a plan at all. 284 00:15:31,680 --> 00:15:35,040 And got dropped off at a Walmart parking lot, 285 00:15:35,080 --> 00:15:41,320 about 30 miles from where I was, with my dogs, a garden cart. 286 00:15:41,360 --> 00:15:44,560 I didn't even have a tent, just a couple of tarps and a sleeping bag. 287 00:15:45,720 --> 00:15:51,560 And the world was an open place, and I had nothing left behind me. 288 00:15:51,600 --> 00:15:55,120 And you kinda just look forward to what can happen. 289 00:15:55,160 --> 00:15:57,800 How far did you make it on that first day? 290 00:15:57,840 --> 00:16:01,480 Two, maybe three miles. And where did you stay? 291 00:16:01,520 --> 00:16:05,640 In a ditch between the highway and a saw mill. 292 00:16:05,680 --> 00:16:08,640 Literally in a ditch? Yeah. 293 00:16:08,680 --> 00:16:12,240 You know, when my family was trying to figure out what are you doing, 294 00:16:12,280 --> 00:16:14,360 one of my aunt's just asked, you know, 295 00:16:14,400 --> 00:16:17,440 "When was the last time you did something for yourself?" 296 00:16:17,480 --> 00:16:21,760 And I was like, "When I was six in my stick fort." 297 00:16:23,200 --> 00:16:28,040 This camp, this is your stick fort. This is my stick fort. 298 00:16:31,640 --> 00:16:35,320 She's such a complex individual. 299 00:16:36,360 --> 00:16:41,280 So kind of thoughtful and philosophical and full of surprises. 300 00:16:41,320 --> 00:16:44,240 I always try not to judge a book by its cover, 301 00:16:44,280 --> 00:16:49,720 but she's surprised me that she worked as an aircraft mechanic. 302 00:16:49,760 --> 00:16:53,160 The empty nest syndrome was obviously huge. 303 00:16:53,200 --> 00:16:55,480 But I think it's all about 304 00:16:55,520 --> 00:16:58,320 how you cope with the pressures of modern life 305 00:16:58,360 --> 00:17:01,600 that distinguish us one from the other. 306 00:17:01,640 --> 00:17:06,720 And I've met a number of people who have tried to kinda cure 307 00:17:06,760 --> 00:17:13,280 or treat a period of confusion with nomadism. 308 00:17:13,320 --> 00:17:15,960 And she was able to embrace this extraordinary lifestyle. 309 00:17:17,640 --> 00:17:18,720 Good boy. 310 00:17:21,720 --> 00:17:25,320 'Randilyn visits her three adult children whenever she can. 311 00:17:26,560 --> 00:17:30,200 'But with winter fast approaching, she's eager to head south.' 312 00:17:31,560 --> 00:17:33,880 Bit different to packing up the car 313 00:17:33,920 --> 00:17:36,440 with my children and dogs and things. 314 00:17:36,480 --> 00:17:38,640 'Everything must slot into these wagons.' 315 00:17:38,680 --> 00:17:40,840 Just set it right here on top of that bit feed there. 316 00:17:40,880 --> 00:17:43,120 Make sure I got all the kitchen food. 317 00:17:43,160 --> 00:17:45,520 'Somehow.' You can get the puppies. 318 00:17:46,960 --> 00:17:48,400 Here you go. 319 00:17:48,440 --> 00:17:52,000 And can you go inside? Oh, you've come out. Come on. 320 00:17:56,320 --> 00:17:59,600 So we've got one donkey at the front. Huh-huh. 321 00:17:59,640 --> 00:18:02,640 Where...? The other two at the side. Next donkey's gonna go here. Yep. 322 00:18:02,680 --> 00:18:05,560 And the next donkey's gonna go back here. Yep. And the dogs? 323 00:18:05,600 --> 00:18:07,680 And then we're gonna have a dog back here. 324 00:18:08,720 --> 00:18:11,800 Wow. And then the other dog runs loose. 325 00:18:11,840 --> 00:18:14,080 Runs loose? And then the little ones all go inside. 326 00:18:14,120 --> 00:18:17,560 Goodness, you're giving me heart palpitations. 327 00:18:17,600 --> 00:18:20,120 What about the rocking chair? Shall I bring it over? 328 00:18:20,160 --> 00:18:21,360 Yes. Yes. Thank you. 329 00:18:21,400 --> 00:18:24,000 Which way? We're gonna sit these two under here. 330 00:18:24,040 --> 00:18:27,240 Like that? Yep. Yes. There we are. 331 00:18:27,280 --> 00:18:29,600 You don't sit on this, do you? No. 332 00:18:31,280 --> 00:18:36,240 'All the animals are in place. And suddenly, it clicks. 333 00:18:37,760 --> 00:18:40,200 'It's an impressive set up, 334 00:18:40,240 --> 00:18:42,600 'but there's still one piece of the jigsaw missing.' 335 00:18:42,640 --> 00:18:46,680 That looks like everything but the pigeon coop. 336 00:18:46,720 --> 00:18:51,000 Yes. I'm gonna have to have you probably help me with that one. 337 00:18:51,040 --> 00:18:53,480 OK. It's a new addition, and going down a steep hill... 338 00:18:53,520 --> 00:18:55,880 Am I being a donkey? Yeah. 339 00:18:55,920 --> 00:18:58,400 LAUGHS 340 00:18:58,440 --> 00:19:01,600 I'm very happy to do it, but if I wasn't with you, what would you do? 341 00:19:01,640 --> 00:19:03,920 I'd wait till somebody come to help me. Oh, would you? 342 00:19:03,960 --> 00:19:06,040 Yeah. You've just got to humble yourself sometimes. 343 00:19:06,080 --> 00:19:08,280 I haven't seen many people passing through here. 344 00:19:08,320 --> 00:19:10,720 That could be a long wait. Yeah. It could. 345 00:19:10,760 --> 00:19:12,720 I might call somebody I know in the area. 346 00:19:12,760 --> 00:19:15,200 I meet people. You'd be surprised. 347 00:19:16,280 --> 00:19:19,480 There are lots of people in the UK that dislike donkeys 348 00:19:19,520 --> 00:19:23,120 being used for any sort of manual work. 349 00:19:23,160 --> 00:19:25,440 Yeah. Everybody's different. 350 00:19:25,480 --> 00:19:27,680 Not say all donkeys like to work, 351 00:19:27,720 --> 00:19:30,080 but this particular donkey likes this job. 352 00:19:30,120 --> 00:19:33,560 And I know what signs to look for when something's too much. 353 00:19:33,600 --> 00:19:35,280 I wouldn't wanna put him through anything 354 00:19:35,320 --> 00:19:38,120 I wouldn't wanna go through. HE HUFFS 355 00:19:38,160 --> 00:19:40,400 We about ready? OK. 356 00:19:40,440 --> 00:19:44,560 'Wagons loaded, animals attached, 357 00:19:44,600 --> 00:19:46,560 'pigeon-coop-puller in place...' 358 00:19:46,600 --> 00:19:48,240 Forward. Let's roll. 359 00:19:48,280 --> 00:19:51,480 SHE CLICKS TONGUE '..it's time to hit the open road.' 360 00:19:51,520 --> 00:19:54,080 DOG BARKS 361 00:19:58,760 --> 00:20:00,680 Good donk, donk, donk, donk, donk. 362 00:20:04,240 --> 00:20:06,160 Easy forward. 363 00:20:06,200 --> 00:20:08,440 Come on. 364 00:20:08,480 --> 00:20:12,040 Cha-cha. Come on. 365 00:20:12,080 --> 00:20:14,400 Come on. You got this, buddy. Come on. 366 00:20:14,440 --> 00:20:15,640 HORN HONKS 367 00:20:22,000 --> 00:20:24,120 This is quite something. 368 00:20:24,160 --> 00:20:27,360 Cars coming past, slightly incredulous. 369 00:20:27,400 --> 00:20:30,080 Don't think they know quite what has hit them. 370 00:20:31,320 --> 00:20:36,880 I think I've seen a vison of my next few days, pulling pigeons. 371 00:20:36,920 --> 00:20:38,200 CHUCKLES 372 00:20:38,240 --> 00:20:40,360 Who'd have thought that, eh? 373 00:20:40,400 --> 00:20:42,840 But Randilyn's kind of reading the road. 374 00:20:44,200 --> 00:20:46,600 And it feels like we're kinda getting into a bit of a zone. 375 00:20:52,760 --> 00:20:55,240 We'll be off these backroads soon, buddy. 376 00:20:56,880 --> 00:21:00,280 It's like crossing Antarctica, but with pigeons. 377 00:21:03,240 --> 00:21:07,520 Good job. You got it. You got it. 378 00:21:07,560 --> 00:21:12,320 'The longer we walk, the more I settle into the rhythm. 379 00:21:12,360 --> 00:21:15,240 'I've always found walking meditative. 380 00:21:16,800 --> 00:21:19,760 'I've just never done it quite like this before. 381 00:21:26,360 --> 00:21:29,640 'We've been walking along quiet backroads for about two hours.' 382 00:21:29,680 --> 00:21:31,320 Easy. 383 00:21:31,360 --> 00:21:33,480 'But the traffic is starting to pick up.' 384 00:21:35,080 --> 00:21:37,400 So many things going through my mind right now, 385 00:21:37,440 --> 00:21:42,080 one of which is that I didn't have pulling a cart of pigeons 386 00:21:42,120 --> 00:21:43,240 on my bingo card today. 387 00:21:43,280 --> 00:21:44,600 Good boy, Roadie. 388 00:21:44,640 --> 00:21:47,160 I don't really like eating pigeons. 389 00:21:47,200 --> 00:21:50,720 I don't like petting pigeons. I don't like killing pigeons. 390 00:21:53,160 --> 00:21:55,840 And yet I'm dragging them up a US highway... 391 00:21:55,880 --> 00:21:57,200 Good boy. 392 00:21:57,240 --> 00:21:59,800 ..behind a little caravan with donkeys and dogs. 393 00:21:59,840 --> 00:22:01,440 HORN HONKS 394 00:22:01,480 --> 00:22:04,600 Good boy. Forward. Wow. 395 00:22:04,640 --> 00:22:07,280 Don't do this at home, boys and girls. 396 00:22:07,320 --> 00:22:08,920 Come on, Ben. 397 00:22:08,960 --> 00:22:12,120 'But just when I thought nothing could surprise me...' 398 00:22:12,160 --> 00:22:13,160 Thanks. 399 00:22:13,200 --> 00:22:17,200 '..Randilyn turns to go onto the actual highway.' 400 00:22:17,240 --> 00:22:19,200 'I can't stop the convoy in the middle of the road 401 00:22:19,240 --> 00:22:20,360 'to question the route, 402 00:22:20,400 --> 00:22:23,360 'so I'm just following and trusting Randilyn.' 403 00:22:26,160 --> 00:22:28,400 So, this is the slipway onto the highway. 404 00:22:30,360 --> 00:22:33,640 Cars behind us. Trucks going. 405 00:22:33,680 --> 00:22:35,160 Just when I thought I'd seen it all. 406 00:22:37,280 --> 00:22:41,320 We're gonna go until I find somewhere wide enough to pull off. 407 00:22:41,360 --> 00:22:43,560 OK. Forward. 408 00:22:43,600 --> 00:22:46,160 Panny, back up. Come here. Mom needs you. 409 00:22:47,680 --> 00:22:49,080 Er, Randilyn. 410 00:22:49,120 --> 00:22:51,440 YELLS: Randilyn! 411 00:22:51,480 --> 00:22:53,240 One of the dogs is off. Whoa. 412 00:22:54,760 --> 00:22:58,360 Hey. Whoa. Stand. Hey. Come. 413 00:22:58,400 --> 00:23:00,800 I see. Yeah, her clip broke. 414 00:23:00,840 --> 00:23:03,440 You take this, and I'll go get it. 415 00:23:03,480 --> 00:23:04,560 OK. 416 00:23:06,440 --> 00:23:07,880 So, we're on a slipway. 417 00:23:07,920 --> 00:23:09,560 PASSING CAR HORN BLARES 418 00:23:11,240 --> 00:23:12,960 There's a big truck coming. 419 00:23:14,080 --> 00:23:15,680 All right. 420 00:23:15,720 --> 00:23:17,720 You good? Yeah. Big truck coming. 421 00:23:25,400 --> 00:23:29,200 'I can't quite believe how calm Randilyn and the animals are.' 422 00:23:29,240 --> 00:23:31,000 Panny. Come on. 423 00:23:31,040 --> 00:23:33,160 'I have a friend who was struck and nearly killed 424 00:23:33,200 --> 00:23:35,080 'on the side of an American highway.' 425 00:23:36,760 --> 00:23:38,280 Come on. 426 00:23:38,320 --> 00:23:41,960 'So, for me, the danger just feels uncomfortably close.' 427 00:23:46,240 --> 00:23:49,240 You know, I've done some dangerous stuff. 428 00:23:49,280 --> 00:23:52,640 This is... ridiculous. 429 00:23:52,680 --> 00:23:54,000 Along a highway. 430 00:23:55,080 --> 00:23:56,800 I... I'm really torn 431 00:23:56,840 --> 00:23:59,080 cos I really admire what she's doing... 432 00:24:00,400 --> 00:24:03,200 ..but this just seems ridiculous. 433 00:24:05,240 --> 00:24:07,800 And then I suppose the thing about Randilyn is 434 00:24:07,840 --> 00:24:12,240 that she's trying to live in the past. 435 00:24:13,720 --> 00:24:16,280 But we're in the future. 436 00:24:16,320 --> 00:24:19,000 And, er... Wow. 437 00:24:24,160 --> 00:24:26,520 For one of the first times in my life, 438 00:24:26,560 --> 00:24:28,240 it feels a bit too much, really. 439 00:24:31,440 --> 00:24:33,240 Ben. Closing in fast. 440 00:24:33,280 --> 00:24:37,120 I'm just gonna try to pull over here soon, in this next exit. 441 00:24:37,160 --> 00:24:38,320 OK. 442 00:24:39,800 --> 00:24:42,880 'The next exit is about half a mile away. 443 00:24:44,760 --> 00:24:47,920 'But before we can even reach it... 444 00:24:47,960 --> 00:24:49,600 '..we're stopped.' 445 00:24:51,680 --> 00:24:52,960 Stand. 446 00:25:07,640 --> 00:25:11,800 Not your typical early morning camping view. 447 00:25:13,720 --> 00:25:19,200 I've just spent the night in a tent outside a gas station in Missouri. 448 00:25:22,080 --> 00:25:24,360 Last night was nuts. 449 00:25:24,400 --> 00:25:27,800 Walking along the highway, rush hour, 450 00:25:27,840 --> 00:25:32,320 trucks whooshing past just feet from us. 451 00:25:32,360 --> 00:25:35,280 And then a police car came along. 452 00:25:35,320 --> 00:25:38,040 I thought that was it. I was gonna end up in a cell. 453 00:25:38,080 --> 00:25:41,680 And a big cheery face went, "Is everything OK? 454 00:25:41,720 --> 00:25:44,280 "Can I help?" Do you need anything?" 455 00:25:44,320 --> 00:25:47,920 And he basically just offered just to keep an eye on us 456 00:25:47,960 --> 00:25:49,840 just while we walked that final distance 457 00:25:49,880 --> 00:25:52,720 till we got off the highway. 458 00:25:52,760 --> 00:25:54,240 It's just bizarre. 459 00:25:54,280 --> 00:25:55,960 That's the only way to describe this life 460 00:25:56,000 --> 00:26:02,320 because yesterdaym I saw the very wild side of Randilyn's life 461 00:26:02,360 --> 00:26:05,240 in that slightly idyllic setting. 462 00:26:05,280 --> 00:26:08,120 Now I am in a drainage ditch, 463 00:26:08,160 --> 00:26:11,120 not probably dissimilar to where she spent her first night. 464 00:26:12,760 --> 00:26:15,240 I thought I'd seen it all till last night, that's for sure. 465 00:26:17,400 --> 00:26:19,160 Morning, Randilyn. 466 00:26:19,200 --> 00:26:21,520 Knock, knock. Good morning. 467 00:26:21,560 --> 00:26:22,920 Hey. How are you doing? 468 00:26:22,960 --> 00:26:25,360 I'm doing all right. Is it nice and warm in there? 469 00:26:25,400 --> 00:26:27,720 Yeah. 470 00:26:27,760 --> 00:26:33,160 I'm... I'm fascinated by our interaction with the police, 471 00:26:33,200 --> 00:26:35,600 cos I'm not gonna lie, I saw a police cell. 472 00:26:35,640 --> 00:26:39,200 No. I've never been arrested. I've been doing this five years. 473 00:26:39,240 --> 00:26:42,320 So that's... No, typically, they're there to help. 474 00:26:42,360 --> 00:26:44,160 So what's your legal right with...? 475 00:26:44,200 --> 00:26:47,800 So, the US Constitution kind of protects the right 476 00:26:47,840 --> 00:26:48,960 for equine travel 477 00:26:49,000 --> 00:26:51,880 cos that's kind of how this country was founded. 478 00:26:51,920 --> 00:26:53,720 But you go 15 miles that way, 479 00:26:53,760 --> 00:26:56,720 there's quite a heavy Amish population. 480 00:26:56,760 --> 00:27:02,240 So, generally, people kinda know how to drive around wagons in this area. 481 00:27:02,280 --> 00:27:05,200 It felt quite vulnerable out there. 482 00:27:05,240 --> 00:27:07,520 Well, if you're not used to it, you know. 483 00:27:07,560 --> 00:27:10,080 Sometimes, perspective is just something 484 00:27:10,120 --> 00:27:12,960 that's different for different people. 485 00:27:13,000 --> 00:27:17,520 To me, vehicles aren't all that safe of an answer, either. 486 00:27:17,560 --> 00:27:19,760 But I'm kinda going two miles an hour 487 00:27:19,800 --> 00:27:22,640 in something that people don't see every day. 488 00:27:22,680 --> 00:27:26,040 So they're a little more aware of me on the road... OK. 489 00:27:26,080 --> 00:27:29,080 ..because not only is it a wagon, but this is a very bright one. 490 00:27:29,120 --> 00:27:31,200 So what's the plan today? More highway? Yeah. 491 00:27:31,240 --> 00:27:33,480 We're gonna be just going down a stretch of highway, 492 00:27:33,520 --> 00:27:35,840 probably find somewhere to park off the side of it. 493 00:27:35,880 --> 00:27:37,600 Let's get going. 494 00:27:37,640 --> 00:27:39,160 Yeah. It'll help us warm up. Yeah. 495 00:27:39,200 --> 00:27:40,480 RANDILYN LAUGHS 496 00:27:42,200 --> 00:27:44,680 'There's a lot less to pack up this morning, 497 00:27:44,720 --> 00:27:47,360 'and it isn't long before we're back on the road.' 498 00:27:50,160 --> 00:27:54,520 Today, we're doing about nine miles along here. 499 00:27:54,560 --> 00:27:56,440 It's not quite the rush hour of yesterday. 500 00:27:58,240 --> 00:28:01,200 But it's noisy, 501 00:28:01,240 --> 00:28:02,960 bits of gravel get flicked up. 502 00:28:04,440 --> 00:28:06,320 And we've got cars and trucks 503 00:28:06,360 --> 00:28:08,440 travelling at the national speed limit out here. 504 00:28:11,320 --> 00:28:14,200 'I don't think I'll ever shake the inherent danger 505 00:28:14,240 --> 00:28:15,920 'of travelling like this. 506 00:28:15,960 --> 00:28:17,920 'But the longer we keep going, 507 00:28:17,960 --> 00:28:21,080 'the more a kind of pace and momentum settles in.' 508 00:28:22,240 --> 00:28:25,920 As Randilyn said, maybe I just need to get used to it. 509 00:28:29,880 --> 00:28:31,840 'And yet, it doesn't take long 510 00:28:31,880 --> 00:28:35,120 'before I'm brought sharply back to earth with a bump.' 511 00:28:37,800 --> 00:28:40,600 We've now got a car on the hard shoulder just ahead of us. 512 00:28:40,640 --> 00:28:42,280 I don't know what Randilyn's gonna do, 513 00:28:42,320 --> 00:28:46,320 whether she's just gonna edge out into the road 514 00:28:46,360 --> 00:28:50,200 or try to get the car to move. 515 00:28:50,240 --> 00:28:52,560 These are the really, really dangerous moments. 516 00:28:57,200 --> 00:29:00,600 'The car is abandoned, so we've no choice. 517 00:29:00,640 --> 00:29:03,840 'We have to go into the road and around it.' 518 00:29:03,880 --> 00:29:06,600 Ready? CALLS: Let's roll! 519 00:29:10,440 --> 00:29:11,720 Oh, my God. 520 00:29:12,720 --> 00:29:14,160 My heart is racing. 521 00:29:17,760 --> 00:29:19,360 Wow. It's dangerous. 522 00:29:20,920 --> 00:29:21,920 Already been foolhardy. 523 00:29:23,400 --> 00:29:25,000 But this is what Randilyn does. 524 00:29:27,840 --> 00:29:31,800 'We stop for a break, and a moment for me to settle myself.' 525 00:29:33,280 --> 00:29:36,920 Just a typical... typical day? Yeah, pretty much. 526 00:29:36,960 --> 00:29:38,600 You don't get scared? No. 527 00:29:38,640 --> 00:29:40,200 RANDILYN LAUGHS 528 00:29:40,240 --> 00:29:43,200 I find it quite nerve-wracking, but I'm trusting you. 529 00:29:43,240 --> 00:29:44,680 I don't trust the drivers, though. 530 00:29:47,720 --> 00:29:49,200 I do. It's a good point. 531 00:29:49,240 --> 00:29:50,720 It is a good point. Yes, you are... 532 00:29:51,880 --> 00:29:53,160 Randilyn, you are... 533 00:29:53,200 --> 00:29:55,800 you're challenging me and testing me today. 534 00:29:58,360 --> 00:29:59,360 'We carry on... 535 00:30:00,720 --> 00:30:04,160 '..shovelling road kill out of the way as we go, 536 00:30:04,200 --> 00:30:07,000 'until we finally reach a stretch with enough space 537 00:30:07,040 --> 00:30:09,800 'for all the animals and wagons to pull aside. 538 00:30:11,200 --> 00:30:15,240 'The process of unpacking and feeding starts all over again. 539 00:30:15,280 --> 00:30:17,440 'But, thankfully, Randilyn seems happy 540 00:30:17,480 --> 00:30:20,320 'to stay put here for the next couple of days.' 541 00:30:20,360 --> 00:30:24,560 What percentage of your movement is on highways like this? 542 00:30:24,600 --> 00:30:26,360 This season, it's gonna be a lot 543 00:30:26,400 --> 00:30:30,520 because we're trying to get south and we're trying to get there quick. 544 00:30:30,560 --> 00:30:34,360 I still find it difficult to find enjoyment 545 00:30:34,400 --> 00:30:37,720 as big trucks and lorries are going past. 546 00:30:37,760 --> 00:30:41,680 Yeah. I've gotten to where I kinda zone out all this. 547 00:30:43,040 --> 00:30:44,720 It's kinda like when you live in the city 548 00:30:44,760 --> 00:30:46,600 and you gotta get used to all the noise. 549 00:30:46,640 --> 00:30:50,160 This is the only city I live in. SHE LAUGHS 550 00:30:50,200 --> 00:30:55,200 'Randilyn has compared this way of life to the Amish, who live nearby.' 551 00:30:55,240 --> 00:30:57,640 But while they're part of a community, 552 00:30:57,680 --> 00:31:00,240 she's doing this entirely on her own. 553 00:31:01,480 --> 00:31:04,520 Having spent a little bit of time walking with you, 554 00:31:04,560 --> 00:31:07,600 it feels like this would be easier with someone else. 555 00:31:07,640 --> 00:31:10,120 It would definitely be easier with someone else. 556 00:31:10,160 --> 00:31:12,680 It's a lot of work by myself. 557 00:31:12,720 --> 00:31:15,560 Do you enjoy the company of others? I do. 558 00:31:15,600 --> 00:31:20,680 When I originally got started, I was much more of an introvert. 559 00:31:22,240 --> 00:31:26,160 Why is it, do you think, that you felt introverted or shy? 560 00:31:28,080 --> 00:31:31,040 I had had some things happen in my childhood. 561 00:31:33,760 --> 00:31:36,920 And it was, you know, 562 00:31:36,960 --> 00:31:39,240 something that had happened while I was in child care, 563 00:31:39,280 --> 00:31:40,920 one of those things, you know, 564 00:31:40,960 --> 00:31:44,600 that we all wish never to happen to our children. 565 00:31:47,000 --> 00:31:48,480 I'm sorry. 566 00:31:50,400 --> 00:31:53,520 I'm sorry that happened to you. Do...? 567 00:31:53,560 --> 00:31:56,200 Do you talk about it? Have you talked about it? 568 00:31:56,240 --> 00:31:59,160 You know, I've talked to quite a few people about it over the years, 569 00:31:59,200 --> 00:32:00,840 but when I travel, it's... 570 00:32:00,880 --> 00:32:05,280 You know, I'm sometimes kind of a therapy for people. 571 00:32:05,320 --> 00:32:08,320 They'll tell me things they don't tell other people, you know? 572 00:32:12,960 --> 00:32:14,360 Sorry. Don't worry. 573 00:32:14,400 --> 00:32:16,160 Why...? Is that the emotion...? 574 00:32:16,200 --> 00:32:19,280 No, it's the emotion attached with another person being hurt 575 00:32:19,320 --> 00:32:20,800 almost hurts me more sometimes, 576 00:32:20,840 --> 00:32:23,480 thinking about the things people go through. 577 00:32:23,520 --> 00:32:25,320 Does that make it worth it for you, 578 00:32:25,360 --> 00:32:27,840 knowing that they can open up to you? 579 00:32:27,880 --> 00:32:31,920 Well, a lot of people really feel they can open up, 580 00:32:31,960 --> 00:32:34,360 and so it gives them a shoulder to cry on. 581 00:32:35,880 --> 00:32:41,480 Big part of my journey has become being there for a lot of people. 582 00:32:41,520 --> 00:32:45,560 I'm just there to give them a hug and have somebody to listen to them. 583 00:32:45,600 --> 00:32:49,480 I try not to give too much advice. Mm-hm. 584 00:32:49,520 --> 00:32:51,600 Do I get a roadside hug? LAUGHING: Yes. 585 00:32:55,680 --> 00:33:00,240 Perpetual movement is one of the great healers. 586 00:33:00,280 --> 00:33:03,040 Not many people are talking about it 587 00:33:03,080 --> 00:33:07,240 because it's quite a complicated way to choose to live. 588 00:33:07,280 --> 00:33:09,520 Most of us need bricks and mortar. 589 00:33:09,560 --> 00:33:12,200 We need stability in our lives. 590 00:33:12,240 --> 00:33:15,360 But there are plenty of people here in the United States 591 00:33:15,400 --> 00:33:20,080 and all around the world who have been able to escape, 592 00:33:20,120 --> 00:33:24,880 break the manacles of an unhappy life and find happiness. 593 00:33:28,200 --> 00:33:30,440 I think what's really beautiful about Randilyn's story 594 00:33:30,480 --> 00:33:36,400 is that what started as necessity has now become pure lifestyle. 595 00:33:39,720 --> 00:33:41,960 I've got a pretty good idea there might be some over here, 596 00:33:42,000 --> 00:33:43,600 looking at some of these trees. 597 00:33:44,720 --> 00:33:46,960 These things? Yeah. 598 00:33:47,000 --> 00:33:48,920 Yeah, actually. That's exactly what... 599 00:33:48,960 --> 00:33:50,840 So, these are hickory nuts here. Nice. Mm-hm. 600 00:33:50,880 --> 00:33:54,440 And these are a really sweet nut that have a lot of different uses, 601 00:33:54,480 --> 00:33:56,120 somewhat like a walnut. 602 00:33:57,720 --> 00:34:00,360 Is foraging a big part of your life? 603 00:34:00,400 --> 00:34:01,720 I'd say over the years, 604 00:34:01,760 --> 00:34:03,400 I've gotten, maybe, a little more wild, 605 00:34:03,440 --> 00:34:05,360 or as some people say, feral. 606 00:34:05,400 --> 00:34:08,160 It's hard to go back to some societal norms 607 00:34:08,200 --> 00:34:10,320 when you've spent this much time 608 00:34:10,360 --> 00:34:14,960 just kind of living in your own authenticity. 609 00:34:15,000 --> 00:34:16,120 I'd say you are pretty wild. 610 00:34:16,160 --> 00:34:17,800 Is there another level to go, though? 611 00:34:17,840 --> 00:34:21,840 Definitely. I'd like to see this go more primitive a little bit. 612 00:34:21,880 --> 00:34:25,240 That's the optimal goal. 613 00:34:33,240 --> 00:34:36,080 They're small pieces, but they're really tasty. 614 00:34:36,120 --> 00:34:39,040 And it doesn't take much to add to many meals. Yeah. 615 00:34:40,120 --> 00:34:44,280 Do you like thinking back to how people once lived and did stuff? 616 00:34:44,320 --> 00:34:48,600 I really do because I think it's important to, like, 617 00:34:48,640 --> 00:34:51,080 who we are as humans to go back sometimes 618 00:34:51,120 --> 00:34:53,840 because with so much convenience, 619 00:34:53,880 --> 00:34:57,920 we forget how to use our brains and do things, you know? 620 00:34:57,960 --> 00:35:01,840 This, like, teaches me how to go slower, 621 00:35:01,880 --> 00:35:05,320 to slow down, to not just bust through everything, 622 00:35:05,360 --> 00:35:07,360 you know, and just focus. 623 00:35:08,920 --> 00:35:13,080 People do a lot of things, and they're just reactionary. 624 00:35:13,120 --> 00:35:15,200 They're not really paying attention... 625 00:35:16,480 --> 00:35:18,160 ..taking it all in. 626 00:35:19,320 --> 00:35:22,120 I'm wondering about your lifestyle, though, generally. 627 00:35:22,160 --> 00:35:24,720 Are you a prisoner to this lifestyle now, 628 00:35:24,760 --> 00:35:26,800 in that is there any way back? 629 00:35:26,840 --> 00:35:31,880 Well, I could sell all these things and probably buy a really nice car, 630 00:35:31,920 --> 00:35:35,000 maybe get into an apartment, but... 631 00:35:37,480 --> 00:35:40,120 ..I don't see that happening any time soon. 632 00:35:40,160 --> 00:35:43,920 Could you stop travelling and talking to people that easily? 633 00:35:43,960 --> 00:35:47,160 It would be really hard to just go home and sit in an office, 634 00:35:47,200 --> 00:35:48,400 wouldn't it? 635 00:35:48,440 --> 00:35:52,040 It's a very good point. LAUGHING: You'd be, like, "Nah." 636 00:35:59,480 --> 00:36:01,320 So, do you think maybe you're kind of starting 637 00:36:01,360 --> 00:36:04,080 to get an understanding of why I choose to do this? 638 00:36:05,360 --> 00:36:09,560 Randilyn, I get almost every aspect of your lifestyle. 639 00:36:10,680 --> 00:36:13,680 I think the thing I still find quite hard is 640 00:36:13,720 --> 00:36:19,360 that almost everything you do is like the dream lifestyle in my book. 641 00:36:19,400 --> 00:36:20,480 The only thing... 642 00:36:21,760 --> 00:36:24,040 ..that I'm still struggling with is this, 643 00:36:24,080 --> 00:36:27,560 that we're on the side of a highway, but what I do understand 644 00:36:27,600 --> 00:36:30,960 is that it's a means to an end, that if you want to live this lifestyle 645 00:36:31,000 --> 00:36:34,400 and be able to find land to graze your animals, 646 00:36:34,440 --> 00:36:38,520 you're limited to the land on which you are permitted. 647 00:36:38,560 --> 00:36:40,320 It's public or unpermitted. 648 00:36:40,360 --> 00:36:43,320 So I do get it, but I still... 649 00:36:44,440 --> 00:36:46,720 I'm still gonna worry about you. Sorry. 650 00:36:46,760 --> 00:36:49,280 I've got a lot of moms all over the country, 651 00:36:49,320 --> 00:36:51,840 a lot of little old ladies worried about me. 652 00:36:51,880 --> 00:36:56,720 Well, you can now add a 52-year-old Brit on the worry list. 653 00:36:56,760 --> 00:36:59,320 We'll all be back at our homes worrying about you. 654 00:36:59,360 --> 00:37:02,280 But maybe the karma of all that worry will keep you safe. 655 00:37:11,720 --> 00:37:15,920 I'm in Missouri, learning how Randilyn does everyday tasks... 656 00:37:17,200 --> 00:37:19,680 ..while parked up on the side of a highway. 657 00:37:21,040 --> 00:37:24,080 I've put the water on the boil, like you asked. 658 00:37:24,120 --> 00:37:26,920 What are we cooking this time? We're not cooking. 659 00:37:26,960 --> 00:37:29,600 You kinda look like you need to wash up, honestly. 660 00:37:29,640 --> 00:37:32,400 Huh? Well, this is bentonite clay. 661 00:37:32,440 --> 00:37:34,480 Yeah? I don't use shampoo or any of those things. 662 00:37:34,520 --> 00:37:36,280 They're bad for the environment and people. 663 00:37:36,320 --> 00:37:40,440 You use clay? Yes. It's a powderised clay. 664 00:37:40,480 --> 00:37:44,240 So, you're just gonna dust this in your hair while it's dry. Yeah. 665 00:37:44,280 --> 00:37:47,080 And then you're just gonna simply rinse it out. And that's all. 666 00:37:47,120 --> 00:37:49,800 This is how, like, native and indigenous tribes 667 00:37:49,840 --> 00:37:51,680 have been doing it for thousands of years. 668 00:37:51,720 --> 00:37:53,400 They take clay, wash their hair. Mm-hm. 669 00:37:53,440 --> 00:37:55,120 It's a normal thing. 670 00:37:55,160 --> 00:37:57,880 I imagine they weren't doing it on the side of a highway 671 00:37:57,920 --> 00:38:00,040 with tons of cars streaming past? 672 00:38:00,080 --> 00:38:02,520 You've gotta get the experience. Yeah, this is... 673 00:38:02,560 --> 00:38:04,960 So, if you actually have to wash, 674 00:38:05,000 --> 00:38:06,840 would you say that's one of the hardest things 675 00:38:06,880 --> 00:38:09,480 about being on the road? Um... Yes and no. 676 00:38:09,520 --> 00:38:11,800 Honestly, there's a lot of a friendly people, 677 00:38:11,840 --> 00:38:14,720 and, you know, if I just say I don't wanna be a dirty person, 678 00:38:14,760 --> 00:38:18,120 most people are happy to have me not smell, I think, so... 679 00:38:18,160 --> 00:38:20,240 Are you saying people will invite you to use their... 680 00:38:20,280 --> 00:38:21,800 their bathrooms, their showers? Yes. 681 00:38:21,840 --> 00:38:25,000 Yes, I've actually been in thousands of bathrooms across the country. 682 00:38:25,040 --> 00:38:27,760 Have you? So that really shows the generosity of people. 683 00:38:27,800 --> 00:38:29,800 Yeah. 684 00:38:29,840 --> 00:38:33,280 'I've found Randilyn to be very softly spoken at times.' 685 00:38:33,320 --> 00:38:35,360 Are you gonna do the honours? Yes, sir. 686 00:38:35,400 --> 00:38:38,040 'But being welcomed into so many people's homes 687 00:38:38,080 --> 00:38:39,920 'tells me she's a lot more outgoing 688 00:38:39,960 --> 00:38:41,880 'than her reserved nature might suggest.' 689 00:38:43,280 --> 00:38:45,800 So, that's clay. Ooh, there's loads of it! 690 00:38:45,840 --> 00:38:48,480 Powder... It's not really a lot. That was less than a teaspoon. 691 00:38:48,520 --> 00:38:50,880 It's just very, very fine. 692 00:38:50,920 --> 00:38:52,080 I think that's OK. Yeah. 693 00:38:52,120 --> 00:38:54,640 And you'll just rinse your hair off. Just rinse it off? Mm-hm. 694 00:38:56,040 --> 00:38:58,640 Just rinse it out. Is the clay not gonna set in my hair? 695 00:38:58,680 --> 00:39:00,880 No. That's why you're gonna rinse it. 696 00:39:00,920 --> 00:39:04,560 'It's a little too cold to strip off for a full wash, 697 00:39:04,600 --> 00:39:07,680 'not that I'd want to in a place this exposed.' 698 00:39:07,720 --> 00:39:09,160 Thank you. 699 00:39:14,040 --> 00:39:17,960 Even making leather pouches to sell is something Randilyn has to do 700 00:39:18,000 --> 00:39:19,760 under the gaze of passing drivers. 701 00:39:21,080 --> 00:39:23,880 OK. Some of these dyes and things to... 702 00:39:23,920 --> 00:39:25,920 That's what I made the little flower with here. 703 00:39:25,960 --> 00:39:27,720 So you just push that onto the leather? 704 00:39:27,760 --> 00:39:30,520 You take it, and you'll just... That's clever. 705 00:39:30,560 --> 00:39:33,200 ..hammer it, and you gotta make sure you hammer it real good around 706 00:39:33,240 --> 00:39:35,000 cos this kinda wiggles. 707 00:39:35,040 --> 00:39:37,600 'With so much of her life on show, 708 00:39:37,640 --> 00:39:40,000 'I can't help wondering what her family think of all this.' 709 00:39:41,760 --> 00:39:45,600 I'm curious to know a little bit more about your... your children. 710 00:39:46,840 --> 00:39:49,800 What do they make of... of your lifestyle? 711 00:39:49,840 --> 00:39:54,240 Well, "Mom is eccentric," they'd probably say. 712 00:39:54,280 --> 00:39:57,040 What's your relationship with them now? 713 00:39:57,080 --> 00:39:59,840 I'm pretty close with them. 714 00:39:59,880 --> 00:40:04,440 What did the kids think when you first moved away five years ago? 715 00:40:04,480 --> 00:40:05,840 Were they resentful? 716 00:40:05,880 --> 00:40:07,800 They weren't really too upset 717 00:40:07,840 --> 00:40:11,160 because any time they wanted me to come back, I'd come back. 718 00:40:11,200 --> 00:40:13,320 They know they can call on me. 719 00:40:13,360 --> 00:40:17,160 They come to me with the things they can't tell everyone else, you know? 720 00:40:17,200 --> 00:40:20,720 Could you ever imagine a time when any of your kids 721 00:40:20,760 --> 00:40:24,400 might embrace a lifestyle like yours now? 722 00:40:24,440 --> 00:40:26,280 Um, well, not too long ago, 723 00:40:26,320 --> 00:40:28,400 my youngest daughter actually asked me 724 00:40:28,440 --> 00:40:30,560 how much a tiny home would cost to build. 725 00:40:30,600 --> 00:40:33,480 And then my middle daughter has been more cautious 726 00:40:33,520 --> 00:40:37,280 of what she's eating and what she's taking in. 727 00:40:37,320 --> 00:40:41,400 So I'd say they've definitely had a lot of good things come from it. 728 00:40:41,440 --> 00:40:43,600 It's just in the day and age we live in, 729 00:40:43,640 --> 00:40:46,120 things like that are kind of ostracised 730 00:40:46,160 --> 00:40:48,880 and people don't understand it. 731 00:40:48,920 --> 00:40:54,000 And so it's just taken a while for everybody to see 732 00:40:54,040 --> 00:40:57,200 that I wasn't gonna kill myself, I wasn't gonna... 733 00:40:57,240 --> 00:41:00,240 You know, they... they imagined me being eaten in the woods by a bear 734 00:41:00,280 --> 00:41:04,320 or, you know, when I first started travelling the highway. 735 00:41:04,360 --> 00:41:06,400 I didn't come from a farm background. 736 00:41:06,440 --> 00:41:09,640 I was a girl from the suburbs, 737 00:41:09,680 --> 00:41:13,360 so when I first said I was getting driving horses 738 00:41:13,400 --> 00:41:15,920 and donkeys and different things, they were, like... 739 00:41:18,480 --> 00:41:19,880 .."What are you doing?" 740 00:41:19,920 --> 00:41:24,200 But I've not had any big incidents. 741 00:41:24,240 --> 00:41:28,400 Whether or not people agree with the risks Randilyn takes, 742 00:41:28,440 --> 00:41:34,200 I do know there are very few who could continually do what she does, 743 00:41:34,240 --> 00:41:35,840 myself included. 744 00:41:35,880 --> 00:41:38,960 Verdict? They're all a bit wonky, but I've done that on purpose. 745 00:41:39,000 --> 00:41:40,200 It looks great. Yeah? 746 00:41:43,200 --> 00:41:44,280 'And I've no doubt 747 00:41:44,320 --> 00:41:49,000 'that there's still a lot more to discover about my nomadic friend. 748 00:41:49,040 --> 00:41:50,560 'After all, 749 00:41:50,600 --> 00:41:55,480 'I've only walked a few miles on the highway of her remarkable life.' 750 00:41:56,840 --> 00:41:58,800 This is a one-off, 751 00:41:58,840 --> 00:42:03,520 and it's an extraordinary world to spend a bit of time in 752 00:42:03,560 --> 00:42:06,360 because everything's going on around us, 753 00:42:06,400 --> 00:42:10,680 but for these few days, I've been in Randilyn's world. 754 00:42:12,440 --> 00:42:16,000 It's all about the journey. There is no destination. 755 00:42:16,040 --> 00:42:20,560 She's just trying to make the most of every single step 756 00:42:20,600 --> 00:42:23,280 that she and her animals take. 757 00:42:24,880 --> 00:42:29,800 And there's something really admirable about that. 758 00:42:29,840 --> 00:42:31,920 This is not for everyone. 759 00:42:31,960 --> 00:42:35,040 But there are other people who may have experienced 760 00:42:35,080 --> 00:42:39,440 some of the same things that Randilyn has experienced. 761 00:42:39,480 --> 00:42:43,160 Maybe other people have experienced the empty nest syndrome, 762 00:42:43,200 --> 00:42:47,000 who are feeling that their lives are a little bit empty. 763 00:42:48,880 --> 00:42:53,440 I might not recommend you take to the motorways, 764 00:42:53,480 --> 00:42:55,720 but maybe you just want to shake up your life a little bit 765 00:42:55,760 --> 00:42:56,760 like Randilyn. 766 00:43:00,040 --> 00:43:01,680 'Randilyn is calling in a friend 767 00:43:01,720 --> 00:43:05,800 'to help haul the spare wagon until her other donkey's trained up...' 768 00:43:05,840 --> 00:43:10,400 Goodbye, my loves. Look after yourselves. Stay safe. 769 00:43:10,440 --> 00:43:12,240 '..which means, for now, 770 00:43:12,280 --> 00:43:16,840 'my days of dragging pigeons across Missouri have come to an end.' 771 00:43:16,880 --> 00:43:21,520 Oh, Pandora. Goodbye. Look after yourself. 772 00:43:21,560 --> 00:43:22,640 Randilyn. 773 00:43:23,760 --> 00:43:25,640 So nice to meet you, Ben. 774 00:43:25,680 --> 00:43:27,720 I'm not gonna be forgetting this in a rush. 775 00:43:27,760 --> 00:43:29,760 Yeah, I don't imagine so. 776 00:43:29,800 --> 00:43:32,600 This has been an unforgettable experience. 777 00:43:32,640 --> 00:43:33,760 Look after yourself. 778 00:43:33,800 --> 00:43:37,000 I don't need to say that, and I hope that doesn't sound condescending. 779 00:43:37,040 --> 00:43:41,720 And keep doing what you're doing. You are an inspiring individual. 780 00:43:41,760 --> 00:43:43,120 Thank you. 781 00:43:43,160 --> 00:43:45,480 Maybe I'll bump into you on some highway in the future. 782 00:43:45,520 --> 00:43:48,280 Yeah? I'll look out for the legendary Randilyn. 783 00:43:48,320 --> 00:43:51,040 Would be nice. I'd like to see you again someday. 784 00:43:51,080 --> 00:43:53,960 Something tells me this is not the last time we'll meet. 785 00:43:54,000 --> 00:43:55,840 There's Emilio there. Yes. 786 00:43:55,880 --> 00:43:59,720 CALLS: Emilio. Bye, Emilio. Keep an eye on her. 787 00:44:02,080 --> 00:44:04,000 Take care. Bye.