Coke Stop in Emo: Adventures of a Long-Distance Paddler

by Alec Ross

Coke Stop in Emo is an engaging, often funny account of a 7500-kilometre solo canoe trip from Montreal to Vancouver that author Alec Ross completed between 1987 and 1989. He followed the lake and river routes pioneered by indigenous Canadians and later used by the voyageurs and fur traders of Canadian history. Alec’s wilderness adventures included (among other things) ferocious storms and encounters with curious bears. But he also met scores of people, from native trappers to Alberta farmers, who taught him about everyday life in places that most Canadians rarely visit or even think about. Legendary Canadian author Farley Mowat declared Coke Stop to be "a great yarn" and a Globe and Mail reviewer described the author as "Chaucer in a Tilley hat." The Kindle edition contains minor updates to the original text published by Key Porter Books in 1995.

282 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1995

Reviews

[Jacquie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I took this on a two-week canoe trip … big mistake. I had to finish it because I had nothing else to read. It was a strange read. Every time I thought he’d get into an interesting story, he skimmed over it. The focus was on irrelevant details with no expansion on the big trip picture. I did learn one thing though - always take a backup book when you’re out in the woods!

[emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

what should have been a gripping story of adventure somehow turned monotonous

[Rbs · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was an easy read, and it does wake the adventurous spirit. but somehow the book wasn't very satisfying. The author only gives brief insights into himself, and brushes over many situations that I am sure generated deeper or stronger emotions that he writes about.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous!