Last year, I had the fortunate discovery of finding out about "Whale of a Day" in Palos Verdes at the unfortunate timing of stumbling upon it right when it ended.

Ever since then, it's been in my calendar with a reminder set. I did not want to miss this festival.

So came this past Saturday. I recruited my friend Cody, who's girlfriend Michelle was working at the event and who's mom actually put the event together as I found out later, and made our way to a dirt parking lot for a mini shuttle ride over to the festival.

I planned to stay there for maybe two hours. I was there for four. Simply because there was that much to do and see.

1. That little goat up there^ was the cutest. It was so cute, I made two of them. But aside from spending a good ten minutes just watching it stiffly walk around in it's casted legs, we also spent time with the other goats and I attempted to feed them with the provided food. They did not want food from me. So instead I awkwardly held out my hand and got silently rejected over and over again.

2. There were llamas. Cody named one Tina.

3. There was a traveling aquarium that had starfish and sea urchins and some massive sea anemone's and little sand sharks that had a skin texture like sandpaper.

4. The South Bay Wildlife Rehab organization was there providing information about all the wildlife in the area that I honestly had very little knowledge of. There's so many different species of owls in the area! And that owl pictured – I can't get over how weirdly beautiful it is. In one sense, it reminds me of Voldemort, and in another it's just this amazingly designed creature.

5. There is a little museum in the Point Vicente Interpretive Center which includes a look at Palos Verdes changing people, changing environment, and the marine life – especially focused on whales – and how that's changed with the people living here.

6. I saw a 3D printer in action and experienced the Oculus Rift. Seriously felt a little vertigo after the simulated roller coaster ride I went on, but so impressed with technology. As Cody said: when the 3D printer starts printing itself, then it'll really get crazy. Maybe that's already happened though?

7. We watched performers teach how to do Michael Jackson's "Thriller" dance to all the little kids. Missed the Cloggers performance, but there's only so much time in a day. I think we were busy watching the baby goat while they performed.

8. We made whale hats. Technically it was at the "kids" arts and crafts table, but my whale hat with three selected stickers was one of the best investments of time spent at the festival. And I'm not being sarcastic – it was so hot and the sun so bright that I turned the hat around and used the tail as a visor for part of the time.

9 – 11. The lighthouse!!! Sidenote: over a year and a half ago, I tried to go into the lighthouse only to find out that the whole area was only open the second Saturday of the month. And GUESS WHAT? Not only was the lighthouse open this first Saturday of the month, but they also were showcasing the Coast Guard boats, and helicopters. So we got to go inside and to the top of the Point Vicente Lighthouse and see and go inside these vehicles and watch the helicopter take off at the end. I even got to sit in the basket of the Coast Guard helicopter so if I ever need to be rescued, I know how to get in. #LetsHopeIllNeverNeedTo

12. They also had this charming little boat named Coastie going around making conversation with people and winking at Cody and I. 

While we didn't see any actual whales that day, it was such a fun event and a phenomenal part of that Saturday. Getting to catch up with Cody and Michelle was an even bigger bonus!

If you're too excited to wait until the Whale of a Day 2016, you can always check out the Point Vicente Lighthouse the second Saturday of the month, and visit the Interpretive Center anytime from 10am-5pm (but check the websites for confirmation).