Authored By seanphippster

What’s the best way to experience everything Tennessee has to offer?

Slow down and walk.

Three Tennesseans plan to walk 1,200 miles across the state beginning Aug. 24. Along the way, they hope to experience the people, culture, music, art, food and landscapes.

They will also bring cameras and audio equipment to document their journey, which will eventually turn into a full-length film.

Longtime friends Michael Meredith, Tim Duggan and Matt Cottam are hoping the documentary will spur an interest in Tennessee culture. Thus far, they’ve raised about half of the $3,000 needed to make the journey safely.

The journey will take them from Memphis on Aug. 24 to Mountain City, a small town in the extreme upper northeastern corner of the state. They plan to arrive at their destination near Thanksgiving.

Meredith said the route will be winding and loose.

Promo for “Tennessee Walking Men” “>

“The major cities are familiar to us,” he said. “We want to get out of our comfort zone. We want people to be a part of the walk. One of our big goals is to have people walk with us.”

A trek through the Ocoee region will be the closest they come to Chattanooga. The entire route consists of country roads and trails outside of city limits.

“Part of this is about finding a community,” Meredith said. “We think there are people out there who feel the same way as we do about Tennessee. This is all about experiencing the state.”

Duggan, a photographer and frequent hiker, said the support has been overwhelming since announcing the project last week.

“Old friends and acquaintances have reached out from across the state,” he said. “What’s been incredible is the people who have no idea who we are who have offered us a place on a couch or a meal along the way.”

Cottam, a writer, is currently in Alaska participating in a strenuous survival course. He plans to meet Duggan and Meredith in Memphis a few days before the trip.

As far as expectation, the three walkers are taking an improvisational approach.

“I think we’re just trying to find interesting people,” Meredith said. “Hopefully, the film will connect more likeminded people from other states to people in Tennessee.”

A fundraiser for the walk is ongoing via Indiegogo to help pay for the project. Thus far, $1,103 has been raised toward the $3,000 needed.

The figures amount to $30 total per day for food. They plan to walk at least 20 miles daily.

“The biggest part is that we have all of the gear,” Meredith said. “It’s really camera equipment. We’re hoping to afford more audio and digital storage. In terms of excess, an extra $1,000 or $2,000 could make a huge difference.”

Duggan said the stars aligned for the timing of the walk.

“This is the only time in our lives that three of us are free enough to do this,” he said. “We’re hoping to showcase our state and meet people that show a broader range of what you would expect from Tennessee. We want to inspire the viewer and educate.”