Beans

By: Claire Schwaller, Wilderness Invasive Restoration Crew Intern 2025

“I bet you 20 dollars” 

It was during our North Fork hitch and a member of our crew continued the 20 dollar bet with a pot of beans. 

“You must eat all of it, lick that bowl clean.” 

There was probably a good one and a half cans of refried beans in that pot, and it would all go to waste if I didn’t eat them. My face lit up, I’ve always loved beans, since I was a little kid. “I’ll do it.” 

I took the big spoon and started scooping away. It was really sticky, and gooey, but I washed it down with water after a couple gulps. One spoon after another. Our crew lead took a picture of me, and we all cracked up. I kept going, making sure to wipe my mouth clean with a paper towel. Scraping the pot clean, making sure to get all the crusty bean scraps into my mouth. My stomach felt like a big rock, but I triumphantly held out the pot and said “done.” The 20 dollars was now mine, but what will I bet him to do next?

Claire grew up in Kalispell, Montana and attends the University of Montana, studying Biology with a concentration in Field Ecology. When not pursuing my degree, Claire is hiking, backpacking, fishing, or playing the guitar. Claire volunteered for the BMWF a year ago with her school's environmental club, and is very excited to spend her summer in the beautiful Bob. Claire also loves to identify wild flowers and plants, and is especially stoked to be part of the WIRC crew and help contribute to restoring and conserving the natural beauty that surrounds us.  

Claire Schwaller, Wilderness Invasive Restoration Crew Intern 2025