Mom Trades Suburbia for Highway Wanderings

Randilyn Allred, a 40-year-old mother of three, has been living a nomadic lifestyle for the past five years, seeking personal freedom after experiencing empty nest syndrome. Leaving behind a conventional life and career, she now travels American highways in a makeshift caravan pulled by a donkey.

Her journey, which began in late 2021, is accompanied by six dogs, as well as chickens and pigeons that serve as both companions and food. Randilyn ethically sources her meat by butchering the birds herself and supplements her diet by foraging for plants.

Motivated by a desire to do something for herself, Randilyn initially set out with minimal supplies. She has adapted by learning to live off the land, using natural materials for hygiene, and selling handmade leather pouches to sustain her travels.

Despite the challenges, Randilyn has encountered no serious trouble with the law, and police interactions have been limited to welfare checks. Her children remain connected to her, though they initially worried about her safety. Randilyn finds fulfillment in this primitive lifestyle, a stark contrast to her past in the aircraft industry, and has no plans to return to conventional living.