Yellowstone National Park- the world's first national park spans 2,219,798 acres and three states. Wyoming, Montana, Idaho- Wytanaho! Most of the park sits around 8,000 ft. or above, therefore is closed to vehicles other than snowmobiles for about half the year. During the summer, the tourist come in droves, so we opted for a one-week-before-park-closure visit.

Geothermal activity spits, sputters, and steams in mineral hot pots and geysers all over this still-very-active volcanic plateau.I'm usually of a mind that warning signs, boardwalks, and barriers are meant for everyone, that is, except for me. But after taking in some of the not-so-subtle signage around the park, I decided that the boardwalks were the place to be.

Wildlife run free, fat and unencumbered (unless you count wolves as cumbersome) around Yellowstone. Bison hang out by the heard, paying no heed to the passing cars. We glimpsed two grizzly bear that could barely waddle due to their girth- hibernation is close at hand.

Seeing the all those bison and the winter-ready bear got my wheels turning- I need to fatten up for winter. What is a good, fatten up for winter-type of nosh? Burgers! Which brings me to thins weeks recipe...

Alder Planked Bison Burgers

(No Yellowstone Bison were eaten in the creation of this blog... 'cause that's super-illegal.)

Ingredients

Outdoor Gourmet Grilling Plank, soaked for an hour or more

1 lb. lean ground bison

4 cloves of garlic, chopped

1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

1/4 cup sun dried tomatoes, chopped

Instructions

First- Soak OG grilling plank for an hour or more. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl, if they aren't sticking together properly add an egg.

Then- Shape into 3-4 burgers.

Next- Place Burgers on plank and add plank, grill on high for 15-20 minutes.

Add- Cheese, if you please.

Finally- Remove and enjoy!

Welcome to your weekend! -KB