Kayaking out to Fort Carroll
Fort Carroll
The other night, my buddy and I decided to trek out to Ft. Carroll, which is situated just outside the beltway, about 100 yards past the Key Bridge. We went out at night from Ft Armistead, which is a disgusting place. I would not go here unless I was launching a kayak.
We launched from the boat ramp and it is about a mile paddle out, nothing too grueling. We reached the entrance, which used to have a bridge from a landing point. The landing is falling down, and the bridge is gone, however there is a tree at the doorway onto which people have tied ropes so you can get in, easy. I pulled my kayak inside and my friend paddled around because he was unable to get in there. I took a few night shots then went back, determined to head back in the day.
Key Bridge from inside the Lighthouse
The Lighthouse and Key Bridge
I only took 3 photos, all of them 5 minute exposures, all shot with my GF670w and Fuji Reala. I decided to head back after this so as to not keep the buddy waiting. Two days later it was back out.
Launching from Fort Armistead again, this time around 4pm, we got out in a solid 30 minutes for the mile paddle. Another easy get up and this time it was for some more exploring. The entry way is a wide hallway with stairs leading up stairs, and directly in front of you is a mass of bushes.
Entrance
Fuji GF670w + Fuji Astia
The island's center is so overgrown there is almost no traversing it from here, you have to go up top, which is easy to do via the stairs. Up top it is also overgrown, but there are a few paths up there made by people drinking beer and what not, other explorers if you will. Also, there are 18 million birds, don't bother them, especially in nesting season.
The Lighthouse and Key Bridge
Just hanging out
The Lighthouse
There is a lighthouse, or remnants of one, on the east side of the fort, it is falling apart but sturdy. I went up in there, there are a good amount of beer cans, apparently a good drinking spot. From the inside you can see the key bridge, there is also a porch on the front one can hangout on.
Key Bridge from inside the lighthouse
After this, down into the island! There are stairs set on the points of the fort headed downstairs. I had assumed there was not much down here because of all the overgrowth, but I was wrong! There are "clean" hallways spanning the north, east, and south sides of the for that are easily accessible after trudging through a bit of brush. There are tons of bones and bird dropping as well as bird bodies. I assume that the birds became weak and could not fly out and then died. Sad, but such is life. You can see out the windows to the water.
Hallways with the light from the windows
Friend in the hallway
After some time down here, it was time to head out, so we did. We went over to the boat landing so I could get a photo of the entrance. We headed right on out and over to the Key Bridge to shoot some sunset photos.
The landing dock on the right and the entrance on the left
Friendo looking out
The paddle back was easy, some sunset photos and a good banter with my buddy. All in all, a good day. If you're inclined to go out, have at it, just please don't leave trash, mess with the birds, or make a mess, be respectful.
The above photo is a gallery you can scroll through. Also, to clear something up, there is no tunnel from Fort Armistead to Fort Carroll, there never was, it is just an urban myth.
