H - Holyrood

H - Holyrood

Today's photos were taken in Holyrood in the Spring of 1983 after I climbed to the top of George Cove Mountain. This was long before a walking trail to the top of the mountain was built several years ago.

The harbour was full of rough ice and I wanted to see how far out the bay the ice extended and found that there was ice as far as I could see. This doesn't happen every year - it depends on the wind direction and temperatures during the winter. While on the mountain I explored the hills nearby and made a few images of rocks with the town in the background. The third image shows a cross on top of George Cove Mountain. Here is a description of the cross from the Town of Holyrood's web site.

The cross on George Cove Mountain is symbolic of Holyrood - Holy Cross ( "Holyrode" is interpreted by some historians to mean "Holy Cross" from the ancient Saxon word "rode" meaning "staff or cross.").

In WWII, while the American Forces were stationed at Navel Air Station Argentia, they decided to erect a cross on George Cove Mountain. They constructed a large wooden cross and mounted it securely at the top of the mountain. The Cross stood for many years but due to eventual deterioration, it gave way to a north westerly gale.

The initial idea was that the "Cross on the Hill" would last only for the duration of Come Home Year but it stood there from 1966 until the winter of 1992. On June 30, 1992, the George Cove Mountain Cross was restored. The town continues to maintain it as a welcoming light to all who approach Holyrood by land, sea or air.

In 1999, the Town constructed a hiking trail which leads to the cross at the peak of the mountain. Visitors are strongly encouraged to walk the trail and obtain a beautiful and powerful view of Holyrood that will remain with oneself forever.

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