After two days of being called Fluffy and Furry and things like that, the girl decided that my real name should be Jones. She calls me Jonesy, which she said shows endearment, and I rather like it.

To celebrate, the girl’s friend came over and the three of us went out for a day of adventure, starting with a drive to another city called Cedar Rapids. When we got there we were all starving, so we went to a place called Donutland, where I got a blueberry donut. It was my first taste of sugar, and it was a real wow. I tried a bite of a cherry donut, and it was even more wow. I would like to go to Donutland again.

Next we went to a place called Mount Trashmore so we could get some exercise. They said this place used to be a huge heap of garbage but now it is a big grassy hill that people like to walk up. At 948 feet in elevation, it is the highest point in Cedar Rapids. Once we got to the top, the view was amazing. We stayed there a little while to take it all in. I loved being able to see all the buildings and the Cedar River.

We walked back down and then along the river for a little while. It was such a a beautiful, cloudless day, we all wanted to enjoy the fresh air.

Next we went to a brewery not too far away called Clock House, where they brew a whole bunch of different beers. I ordered a lager and it was the perfect size for me .

Clock House didn’t serve food today and we were starving again, so we tried a restaurant a few blocks away called The Map Room. It was a neat place with maps all over the walls and lots of green booths. We got a circular one and decided to share a grilled cheese because it sounded good and the server recommended it. It was perfect — fancy cheese and great fries too.

The girl wanted something sweet after that, so we went to a place called Sweet Mercantile, where a whole bunch of plushies like me were in the windows. That made me feel extra welcome. It got even better when the girl behind the counter said she adopted Fugglers too. The whole crew was excited to meet me, and I had fun checking out the old fashioned soda fountain.

We got the Cherry Kolache Sundae, which may be my favorite thing I’ve eaten so far. The crew heated up the Kolache so it tasted freshly baked. I wish we could have taken a bag of those home with us, but the girl said we shouldn’t because then our clothes wouldn’t fit. The ice cream was cold and creamy with vanilla bean specks. I hope I get to eat that again too.

I had the best day celebrating my name. I got to eat sweets and climb a mountain. I can’t wait to find out what the girl will show me next. She says she has to go to work this week, but that maybe I’ll get to come along.