Yellowstone holds a special place in the hearts of Todd Tornay and his wife, a sanctuary where nature’s grandeur and quiet hope intertwine.

The couple has long yearned to live among the wild majesty of America’s charismatic megafauna—especially moose. Though life led them to Oregon, a state with fewer wildlife encounters than they’d hoped for, their hearts remained tethered to the idea of wandering through landscapes where elk bugle, buffalo roam, and grizzlies dig for roots.

Their recent visit to Yellowstone rekindled that dream in vivid detail. From roadside bear sightings to fields of elk in their autumn harems, Todd and Dodie found themselves immersed in the unpredictable magic of the park’s wildlife. “All the tantalizing sightings we’ve been missing materialized in Yellowstone,” Todd shared. “Unpredictable but ever-present.”

But it wasn’t just the animals that stirred their souls. The geothermal wonders, bubbling springs, prismatic pools, and the breathtaking Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, reminded them of nature’s artistry. And then came the rainbows. One arced through the spray of Beehive Geyser, another shimmered in the steam of Cliff Geyser. “By their very nature, rainbows are like gossamer,” Todd reflected. “Transient and ephemeral, so it’s hard not to think they’re put there especially for you when you see one.”

For Todd and his wife, those rainbows became symbols of hope—hope that Yellowstone’s wild heart will beat forever, and hope that they might one day live closer to this land that fulfills their deepest dreams.

Their story is a testament to the transformative and inspirational power of Yellowstone. We’re grateful to Todd and his wife for sharing their journey and for supporting Yellowstone Forever.

We love to see Yellowstone through the eyes of others. Whether you have visited once or dozens of times, we all have our unique Yellowstone experience. The one constant is the world’s first national park always provides memories to last a lifetime. Do you have a favorite Yellowstone memory or story you’d like to share?