Thursday, April 14, 2016

L - LITTLE DIOMEDE

L is for LITTLE DIOMEDE



LittleDiomede is a city located on Little Diomede Island, which belongs to Alaska and is the smaller of the two Diomede Islands, located in the Bering Straits. The population, approximately 115 inhabitants, lies on the west side of Little Diomede Island.

Big Diomede, less than 2.4 miles away, belongs to Russia. There is a weather station on Big Diomede, but otherwise it isn't populated.

I use Little Diomede in Murder & Obsession as a way for Detective Quaid to venture into Russia looking for evidence.


Photo Copyright


Murder & Obsession
Excerpt:

On the plane ride to Little Diomede Island, Steven fell into a dream filled sleep.
                                           *****
Seagulls squawked loudly and dived at the trawler in search of fish and scraps as the captain brought his ship to the dock. Steven watched as the old skipper guided what seemed to him an unwieldy behemoth gently dockside. Brent jumped to the dock with the bowline and tied off. The ship secured, the men made ready to explore.
. . . forged documents were something Quinn had had in the works since the Russians first became suspects. He arranged for his friend, Captain Can’irraq, a Russian Yupik, to pick them up on Little Diomede Island, the closest Alaskan community to Russia. The Captain's travels to Little Diomede were a regular occurrence, and his trips to Provideniya were part of his regular routine to buy parts. As a traveling mechanic, he helped fishing trawlers on the sea and in dry dock.

*****



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42 comments:

Jade C. Jamison said...

Oh, I love! Your detective sounds like he's of the hard-boiled variety. I like what you're doing for the A-to-Z Challenge. Best of luck!

Michelle Wallace said...

I've never heard of this place. It belongs to Russia? But Alaska belongs to the USA? Am I right? I'm trying to work it out...
Writer In Transit

Tamara Narayan said...

How interesting that the two islands with almost the same name belong to different countries. Beautiful shot of that seaside town.

Pat Hatt said...

Never knew that. Wow, Russia sure has reach.

The Cynical Sailor said...

Interesting to have the two islands owned by different countries. I've read a little bit of history of Alaska and found the Russian influence in that area to be fascinating.

Cheers - Ellen | http://thecynicalsailor.blogspot.com/2016/04/l-is-for-lazy-jacks-nancy-drew.html

Yolanda Renée said...

There are two islands, Little Diomede belongs to Alaska, and is populated. The larger island, Big Diomede, belongs to Russia but is uninhabited except it does have a weather station on it. Sorry for the confusion.

Yolanda Renée said...

Thanks, Jade, he is!

Yolanda Renée said...

Hi, Tamara, exactly. It's a lovely picture!

Yolanda Renée said...

Despite all the humor via Sarah Palin, Russia and Alaska are very close. :)

Yolanda Renée said...

A very extensive influence. Hi, Ellen!

Boisterous Bee said...

It was great to learn such interesting facts. truly. And 115 inhabitants! That's it?!
It indeed was fascinating!

Cheers
Geets

cleemckenzie said...

I imagine standing on the edge of that island and looking across the strait. Millions of years ago, that was the path between what's now two continents. Fascinating and a perfect place to write about in your story.

Yolanda Renée said...

Hi, Geets. Life there is truly amazing. I wouldn't mind visiting, but wouldn't want to stay. LOL

Yolanda Renée said...

True! Hi, Lee. I've been wondering about how they track the folks coming and going. Is everyone there a fed? LOL

Pat Garcia said...

You got me so hype up over this book by presenting tiny snippets that I started reading it today and almost forgot I am participating in the challenge. I had to force myself to put it down after I finished chapter 1.

Shalom,
Patricia @ EverythingMustChange

Nicola said...

I'm not reading the excerpt - spoiler alert :) I've not got that far yet. Thoroughly enjoying getting to know the characters. I love John. I hope he stays as loveable all the way through. Love the way he adores his wife.
I gave hubby a fright last night. He saw light coming from under the covers - It was my Kindle - had to stop at Chapter 5. More tonight :)

Fascinating stuff about the Russians. Can't wait to find out more from Steven's journey.

Michelle Wallace said...

Thanks for the explanation, Yolanda.
(Just wanted to tell you that today, both L-books are free at my blog. I don't think that you realised it. You can download River's book from Amazon. You can get a copy of JH's book by signing up for her newsletter.
Both highly recommended)

Samantha Bryant said...

What I'm loving about these posts is remembering Alaska. Some of my students in Nome were originally from Little Diomede.


@mirymom1 from
Balancing Act

Guilie Castillo said...

Oh, my—Russia? And the plot thickens! You're doing a great job of whetting out appetites, Yolanda :)

Thanks for the visits over at Life In Dogs, and sorry it's taken me so long to visit back... This April is kicking my meager behind :D I'll do better, though. I promise.

Deborah Weber said...

Quite enjoying this Yolanda - both the excerpts and the Alaskan peeks.

Yolanda Renée said...

Thanks, Michelle, getting my copies now! :)

Yolanda Renée said...

That is just too cool, thank you Pat! I'm looking forward to knowing what you think.

Yolanda Renée said...

My day is complete, two of you reading the book. John is a favorite character of mine too. I can't wait to hear what you think. I'm dancing on air today! :)

Yolanda Renée said...

Hi, Sam, we do have to talk soon. Would love to hear more about your experiences in Alaska!

Yolanda Renée said...

Life does that doesn't it? I know what you mean. Don't worry, you're doing an amazing job with your posts! Breathe!

Yolanda Renée said...

Thanks, Deborah, I wanted it to be informative and entertaining.

Sandra Cox said...

Great description as always.
I can't imagine living in a place with only 115 inhabitants. Everybody would know everybody and I bet it is COLD.

Ella said...

Well done! This photo reminds me of Adak Island in the Aleutian chain. Russian planes flew over us all the time. One woman kept calling home telling people what she saw and the military warned her to keep quiet. She didn't so the military police came to her home told her to pack and put her on a plane to head back home. Yes, it was that secure~

Jo said...

love these snippets about Alaska. A place I would love to visit.

JO ON FOOD, LIFE AND A SCENT OF CHOCOLATE

JazzFeathers said...

That sounds so strange, two island so close to one another to have the same name, and still belonging to two different nations.

@JazzFeathers
The Old Shelter - Jazz Age Jazz

Rhonda Albom said...

Can you really easily get into Russia easily from Alaska?

Tamara said...

Alaska is on my travel bucket list. I have a blogger buddy who moved there, so I got a little insight. I don't know how well I would be able to cope with the super short winter days.

Nilanjana Bose said...

So Russia and USA are actually divided by just a few kms and not an entire ocean? :)

I think I caught up with the posts. And my geography!




Yolanda Renée said...

Very cold, you'll have to read more about life there, it's interesting.

Yolanda Renée said...

Hi, Ella, I mention Adak in the book too. I should have picked your brain, I'd forgotten you were there.

Yolanda Renée said...

I hope you are vicariously through my posts. :)

Yolanda Renée said...

Isn't it, and something so few folks know!

Yolanda Renée said...

It's not as easy as it is possible. The right paperwork must be had! They check those things, but regular flights do occur!

Yolanda Renée said...

The darkness is the hardest, well, unless you count the cold as first!

Yolanda Renée said...

Yup, very, very close indeed!

Debbie D. said...

So, Sarah Palin really can see Russia from her house? ☺ This adventurous story has a lot of twists. Hope I get a chance to read it soon. It's on my tablet.

Elizabeth said...

I like the sound of that, Little Diomede. It's crazy that USA and Russian owned land are so close together!