Magic Carpet Grande Adventures

Greg, Donna Lou and Boat Cat Ziwhot's Search for Adventure Captain Gregory (KI6IIU) and Admiral Donna Lou (KI6IIS) Norell E-mail: norell49@yahoo.com

01 January 2010 | La Paz BCS
24 December 2009 | La Paz BCS
15 December 2009 | San Carlos Mexico
14 December 2009 | California America
06 September 2009 | San Carlos Sonora
24 August 2009 | Sonora California USA
24 August 2009 | San Carlos Sonora
24 August 2009 | San Carlos Sonora
04 August 2009 | Santa Rosalia
24 July 2009 | Isla Coronados
16 July 2009 | Puerto Balandra, Isla Carmen
08 July 2009 | Aqua Verde
07 July 2009 | San Evaristo
07 July 2009 | Puerto Escondido
30 June 2009 | Aqua Verde
30 June 2009 | Colleta Evaristo
27 June 2009 | Isla San Francisco
12 June 2009 | Espritu Santo and Roca Lobos

Merry Christmas Happy New Year 2022

24 December 2021 | Marina San Carlos
Gregory Norell

S/V Magic Carpet sailed to the South Pacific without us, we set set her up for a win win the new owners are good "nut at the wheel"

24 December 2021
Gregory Norell

Merry Christmass Happy New Year

20 December 2020 | Marina San Carlos
Admiral Donna Lou | Coola nd Clear

ADIOS S/V MAGIC CARPET

27 November 2020 | San Carlos, Sonora
Admiral Donna Lou | Sunny Calm Clear
Thanks for being so fantastic, you are great in all conditions, you're a perfect cruising boat, and you kept us safe and sound always. The joys and wonders we shared with you we will treasure forever! We never dreamed the day would come that we would part with you. Magic Carpet you have aged beautifully, you're better than ever. It's hard to admit but your Captain & Admiral & even the Cat little Z are slowing down. We were fortunate enough to find a young couple who took one look at you and knew you were just the Sail boat they were looking for. So you're off cruising the sea again doing what you do best making your skipper happy. It was with a heavy heart & tears in our eyes as you sailed away without us.

“Dreams into Reality”

26 November 2020 | San Carlos, Sonora, Late Entry
Admiral Donna Lou | Sunny Calm Clear
Little did we know at the time our Golden Years Adventure "Dreams into Reality "had ended!
That was our last sail, We sailed out of Todd Harbor, Bethel Island, California Delta to San Francisco Bay on December 7, 2007. It took a little over a year to finish our voyage preparation and sail under of the Golden Gate Bridge chasing a dream. The kids were raised on their own, it was now our time. We have had a great time seen and done things we only dreamed about. Developed a great love and respect for our south of the boarder neighbors, there is so much to see & do in Mexico, knowing we would never retrace our trip we have tried to see it all. It seems like time has run out for us, we still hold on to our adventures spirit, but health & age have taken their toll! 2019 was a wake up call year for us. As we prepared Magic Carpet for sea in the fall of 2018 we found it harder to get things done, Doctors in the states told us we were just getting old, but we found that very hard to except. Our Doctor in Mexico tried to find out what was happening test after test - but he found the problems & the solutions. Both the Captain & Admiral are now doing well. The recovery was slow and Magic Carpet danced at the docks like a floating condo for us. During that time we came to realize it would be very hard to handle a storm at sea in our sail boat, age and health were against us! Trips to the fore deck were out of the question even little Z was now a geriatric. But swallowing the hook was hard to do; we didn't feel ready for that yet. The Mexican medical Doctors have time to really do their job - diagnose and treat. We needed them on our team. After a lot of soul searching we decided we needed a different boat one that would meet our geriatric needs. After a lot of looking we did what we thought we would never do sold Magic Carpet and purchased a trawler. She's a floating condo for sure were very comfortable and looking forward to returning to our sea fairing gypsy life for a while longer. It's really hard after all our sailing years to think about being at sea without a sail to rely on. The Dreams continue but it not our Golden Years Dreams, We moved up to our Platinum Years Dreams, a little more comfort for our old bones!
It's often said old cruiser give up the sea and go to #1 go to rest homes. #2 Buy R.V. and travel the roads. #3 go to the dark side buy a power boat & stay on the sea.
She is called M/V Magic Carpet Grande, a 41 ft DeFever, The Captain is currently commissioning her with updated Electronics, The Admiral loves the all teak interior, teak and holly soul ,larger galley, bathtub, staterooms, & most of all real chairs.

Conception Bay

20 November 2020 | El Burro Cove, Conception Bay, Late Entry
Admiral Donna Lou | Sunny Calm Clear
For the last few weeks we have tried our best to relax and enjoy the sea. We finely caught the southern wind & sailed to San Domingo at the head of Conception Bay. The water was still a little cold so so the Dorado hadn't joined us on our voyage north, a few Skip Jacks and Jack Carvals were willing to be caught but know keepers. We cruised anchorages in Conception Bay enjoying all is has to offer. We even attended our first salt water floating Art Show, enjoying good company and a chocolate claims feast. The water had finely warmed up to 88 degrees. Swimming, diving & just doing our daily laps around Magic Carpet delighted us. We felt we appreciated our boat and life afloat more than ever, we had really been able to turn "Dreams into Reality".
News of several Hurricanes brewing in our tropical kitchen with predictions of their heading up the Sea of Cortez. Encouraged us to get back to Santa Domingo and look for the best possible time and conditions to cross over to the main land & Magic Carpets berth at our Hurricane hole in Marina San Carlos. We didn't want to ride out Hurricane Bud in Conception Bay. Our crossing was not the piece of cake we hoped for! The always unpredictable Chubasco hit, the first of the season greeted us half ways across. Lighting at sea is a assume sight but the damage it can do is not. We altered course to find relief from the wind stirred up seas, sailing farther north than we would have liked but in greater comport. Three hours on watch and three hours off for 22 hr's Little Z was giving us dirty looks again "no time outs" . The phosphorescence was spectacular the night before we left Santa Domingo we had watched M.C. being surrounded by poke a dots of light in the water . We watched small needle fish chasing and jumping after 2" baby fish and turtles slowing by with their mouths open. We were enchanted and reminded why little Z insisted on staying on deck all night when the anchor was down. The phosphorescence was stoning all during the Chubasco crossing joined by the front of Hurricane Bud. At one point the Admiral screamed out as she was startled by what looked like a sea monster jumping up right beside her, of course it was just a Big Dorado covered in phosphorescence.


Vessel Name: Magic Carpet Grande
Vessel Make/Model: Defever 41
Hailing Port: Richmond Yacht Club, Pt Richmond, SF Bay, CA, USA
Crew: Greg, Donna Lou and Boat Cat ZiWhot Norell
About: Greg a Retired E/M Design Engineer from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and Vice President and CFO of DLM Marketing, Donna Lou is President and CEO of DLM Marketing, also Greg and Donna own and operate an Olive orchard Dejavu Orchards in Northern California.
Extra:
Looking for Adventure, We have a DeFever 41 "Magic Carpet Grande" berthed at Richmond Yacht Club in SF Bay we both love to sail, fish and dive, Greg spent the last five years getting the boat ready. Ready or not were cutting the dock lines this spring (2009) and going South to Pacific Coast of [...]
Home Page: http://www.sailblogs.com/member/magiccarpetadventures/
Magic Carpet Grande's Photos - Main
Best of Giraffes in Tanzania
25 Photos
Created 22 April 2018
Best of the Hippos in Tanzania
14 Photos
Created 22 April 2018
Cats of Tanzania
24 Photos
Created 21 April 2018
Birds we saw in Tanzania
25 Photos
Created 21 April 2018
Aaron, Liz and Dakota Quinn stay at El Cid Marina with Granny Goose and Papi Gander on S/V Magic Carpet
24 Photos
Created 29 May 2017
The Bright side and the Dark side
19 Photos
Created 5 February 2016
Donna and Greg Release Baby Turtles Dakota Quinn, Logan and Kayden
23 Photos
Created 8 January 2016
Alamos the Magical City, Honeymoon trip
48 Photos
Created 8 January 2016
Active Marine, Fonatur
11 Photos
Created 24 May 2015
Fish, Birds, Mammals and Donna Lou
24 Photos
Created 13 May 2015
City of the Gods Outlaying Palaces
17 Photos
Created 2 May 2015
Birthday Ballon trip over Pyramids
40 Photos
Created 2 May 2015
The City of the Gods Teotihuacan
13 Photos
Created 1 May 2015
Teotihuacan City of the Gods
11 Photos
Created 1 May 2015
San Sebastian
26 Photos
Created 1 May 2015
Artifacts from 3000 BC to 1000 AD
21 Photos
Created 30 April 2015
Over looking Mexico City
37 Photos
Created 30 April 2015
Churches Cathedrals
16 Photos
Created 29 April 2015
Cholula
8 Photos
Created 29 April 2015
Zocalo District
14 Photos
Created 29 April 2015
Xochimilco Floating Gardens
13 Photos
Created 29 April 2015
Pilgrimage to the shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe!
12 Photos
Created 28 April 2015
El Cid Marina
17 Photos
Created 29 May 2014
Old Churches and craftsmen
40 Photos
Created 14 May 2014
Cathetral old town
40 Photos
Created 14 May 2014
"Galapagos of Mexico"
34 Photos
Created 12 May 2014
Floats costumes and Gifts a San Blas annual event
20 Photos
Created 8 May 2014
Setting atop of Cerro de San Basilio over looking San Blas
21 Photos
Created 8 May 2014
Built 1769-1872
20 Photos
Created 8 May 2014
Jungle tour Tovara Springs
37 Photos
Created 8 May 2014
American Crocodiles
20 Photos
Created 8 May 2014
Iguanas
23 Photos
Created 31 March 2014
Old Mining town near Puerto Vallarta
20 Photos
Created 31 March 2014
Old Town Puerto Vallarta with Aaron and Liz
18 Photos
Created 31 March 2014
Banderas Bay Whales
12 Photos
Created 30 March 2014
Loreto Victoria's Visit
25 Photos
Created 17 July 2012
Exploring North side of Isla San Marcos, so much to see...
21 Photos
Created 17 July 2012
Pa Pa Kilo Hotel forth of July Party
38 Photos
Created 17 July 2012
Bahia La Mona
20 Photos
Created 3 January 2012
Puerto Refugio
19 Photos
Created 3 January 2012
33 Photos
Created 22 June 2011
97 Photos
Created 22 June 2011
49 Photos
Created 22 June 2011
103 Photos
Created 22 June 2011
33 Photos
Created 22 June 2011
Zorro's Hotel, City Plaza, Fort
48 Photos
Created 22 June 2011
Petchocho, The Lonely Dolphin
26 Photos
Created 20 June 2011
29 Photos
Created 5 June 2011
Traditional Mayo Indian Dancers
8 Photos
Created 2 May 2011
Greg and Donna Lou Visit Pearl Farm
7 Photos
Created 27 April 2011
Fund Raiser for Bano's
18 Photos
Created 27 April 2011
Under Water Paradise
24 Photos | 1 Sub-Album
Created 8 September 2010
Santa Rosalia to San Francisquito
26 Photos
Created 13 August 2010
Puta Willard
6 Photos
Created 13 August 2010
Gold in them ther Hills
10 Photos
Created 13 August 2010
One of the top Achorages on the Baja
27 Photos
Created 13 August 2010
Cruisers Shrine
6 Photos
Created 14 July 2010
Fourth of July and Shell Beach
25 Photos
Created 14 July 2010
Swimming at Mission Hotel
5 Photos
Created 28 June 2010
Cave dwelling at V-cove
28 Photos
Created 28 June 2010
Hiking the Volcano at Isla Coronado
12 Photos
Created 28 June 2010
Over 200 boats gather for Loreto Fest
12 Photos
Created 6 May 2010
Raft up and Snorkeling at San Marte
12 Photos
Created 5 May 2010
Children of Nopolo
22 Photos
Created 5 May 2010
Fishing Village Isla Coyote
8 Photos
Created 5 May 2010
Hiking trials on Isla San Francisco
13 Photos
Created 5 May 2010
100 days and nights in La Paz
20 Photos
Created 10 April 2010
Donna Lou Swims with Whale Sharks El Magote La Paz BCS
31 Photos
Created 9 March 2010
La Paz Carnaval 2010, 5 days of of Festivities
29 Photos
Created 17 February 2010
Greg and Donna Lou visit to Trinidad Cave painting site out of Mulege
54 Photos
Created 12 February 2010
Whale watching with friendly Whales of San Ignacio Lagoon
27 Photos
Created 12 February 2010
Parties San Carlos and La Paz
34 Photos
Created 2 January 2010
Tori and team Magic Carpet visit Isla Islotes and Swannie dive sites
98 Photos
Created 29 December 2009
Donna And VIctoria Distribute food to the poor at La Paz Colony
39 Photos
Created 28 December 2009
Donna Lou Plays with Dolphins
11 Photos
Created 14 December 2009
Hurricane Hole at San Carlos
6 Photos
Created 25 August 2009
Donna Lou Fights off Woman Eating Moray Eel
16 Photos
Created 25 August 2009
Festival at San Ignacio
40 Photos
Created 4 August 2009
Isla Danzante
29 Photos
Created 13 July 2009
Mission's, Loreto and McLuLu's
24 Photos
Created 7 July 2009
Rural Aqua Verde
18 Photos
Created 6 July 2009
Life in San Evaristo
21 Photos
Created 6 July 2009
Marine life at Espritu Santo and Roca Lobos
26 Photos
Created 12 June 2009
Diving at Espritu Santo Island
13 Photos
Created 10 June 2009
We made it to lands end
6 Photos
Created 7 June 2009
Adventures at Bahia De La Muertos
7 Photos
Created 7 June 2009
Greg and Donna Lou Hammer the Dorado
9 Photos
Created 6 June 2009
Tourist stuff in La Paz
18 Photos
Created 29 May 2009
Man O War Cove Magdalena Bay
10 Photos
Created 18 May 2009
Turtle Bay after Wild Ride
6 Photos
Created 10 May 2009
Ensenada BC
5 Photos
Created 2 May 2009
San Diego Yacht Club
5 Photos
Created 30 April 2009
Santa Barbara Yacth Club
12 Photos
Created 24 April 2009
HMB Morro Bay Pictures
9 Photos
Created 21 April 2009
Magic Capet Leaving SF bay
5 Photos
Created 21 April 2009
Tori's visit SF Bay
11 Photos
Created 11 November 2008
SAD DAY IN BETHEL ISLAND
9 Photos
Created 26 July 2008
21 Photos
Created 21 July 2008
Specifications
7 Photos
Created 15 July 2008
Donna and Greg Leave BI
6 Photos
Created 14 July 2008
Allison and Jason's visit
7 Photos
Created 14 July 2008
Aaron's visit
7 Photos
Created 14 July 2008
"Greg, Donna and Boat Cat ZiWhot's BIG Adventure"