Overall a good run...considering.

Snow-check. (not really enough though)
Harenesses-check
dogs-check
sled-check
handler(wife)-check
sled dog team-not quite.
Well, on the surface, I would say our first run on snow with the sled was a disaster. But a few things did happen that I think would bring the run slightly over into the plus column.
The problem started when Fir and Pumpkin forgot what "haw" means (it means "left")
The dog yard is about a hunderd yards or so from the house. then we need to hang a rather sharp left onto our drive way at the shed. So far this has been the tricky part.
Ruger's house is actually right there at the turn in front of the shed. Ruger was in wheel position so the house was empty. So after about five "haw" commands, Pumpkin decided to get away from all the stress and noise and go inside Rugers house, bringing the team behind her.

Bad tangle....Bad tangle. Well I corrected that, my wife standing on the break, Then Fir and Pumpkin decided to try to climb under a hole I used to have in my backyard fence., where they often exercise. Bad tangle. So, I had to think fast. I reduced the team by a dog. Tossing Jack over the fence. He was an easy choice since having been hooked up last, he had time to chew his harness and began the run in a "Y-back "harness instead of an "x-back. "

Slightly less power now in the team and slightly less excitement. Jack is a very "high attitude" dog. But he got to play in the back yard with my big German shepherd mix, so he still got to have some fun.

200 yards..down the driveway finally, now all we had to do was hang another sharp left onto the two track into the woods.

"Haw." I said.
"Haw!"
"Haw!!"
"Haw!!!"

There was no haw.
"Linda, Lay on the Break as hard as you can!"
I ran up and brough the leaders onto the trail. We began to run for about 50 yards, then Fir takes a dogleg left right into a thicket. Bad tangle, some growling. Get the team all straightened out.

"Hike!" Team takes off. Runners slip out of my hand, my wife goes up the trail without me at about 18 mph.
For a second there I had to say, they looked good. I wished I had my camera.

Fortunately, Fir executes a "come gee" which is kind of like an about face maneuver. miraculously, no tangle, totally on Fir's initiative (I am being sarcastic this is not what I want him to do).
But it worked out. I grab onto the handle bar standing on the right runer, my wife on the left. The way back, (we had gone a whopping 300 yards) Consisted of two "Gee" commands, which Fir executed perfectly.

So I untie everyone and and water them. I let Doppler know that he did a god job. I want this to be fun for him even though everything basically went wrong. I don't praise Fir though, but I don't yell at him either. The run is over.
Ruger did a good job. JJ did a god job.

So, very dissapointed. I thought for a while.

OK. We are going to have a good run today. We'll try three dogs.

Ruger in wheel, Fir and Pumpkin up front.

Big no go. Still no "Haw" command. We dropped Ruger off at his house and I ran Pumpkin back to her house. Linda stayed and held Fir. I ran back.

I decided that I needed to build better rapport with my leaders. They haven't forgotten the English language, they just need to get used to hearing it from me. So I said "Fir, it's just you today, buddy. Me and you are going the be the lead dogs. With linda, on the runners, pumping with her foot and running behind when need be, me, jogging alongside Fir, neckline in hand, we took off down the driveway.
"Haw." I said, firmly, at the end of the driveway.
Fir seemed to get it. His head was down, and he was pulling. We jogged a mile up to the top of the Hill, Not fast, I eventually ended up becoming drenched with sweat, but it was progress.
Linda got a work out too. She peddled most of the way, but took rests where Fir was doing some pretty good pulling. Then at the top of the Hill at the one mile point we executed a "come Gee." Took a short rest. Then we both rode a runner cruising down the hill at a moderate clip.

Fir, executed two excellent "gees" (he seems to have no problem with his gees, especially on the way back)
I gave him a big chunk of venison and a nice rub down. He seemed pretty affectionate, I think we are getting to know each other, better.

As I walked Jack back to the house, I was struck with how well developed his back legs were and how smooth his movement was. The though occured to me that I have way better dogs than I deserve. I want to do well with these dogs. We are not a team yet. I decided that I want to use the same determination with these dogs that I use with my Art when I bring a peice to completion. I erase a lot. All my erasers wear out before my pencils get very short. I keep trying, knowing what the picture is going to look like at the end not giving up untill it does, or gets really close.

I am determined to do that with these dogs. I know what a good team looks like, I can see it in these dogs, They have all sucessfully run before. It will all come together.