I made a weeklong drive to collect slot cards in May going from Milwaukee to the south edge of Indiana, over to St Louis, down to Tunica, then to Gulfcoast Mississppi boats, over through Louisiana and then back home by way of Oklahoma, Kansas, Western Missouri, and Iowa. On the way home on Sunday May 11th, I stopped at the Meskwaki (it used to be spelled Mesquaki)Casino in Tama, Iowa, about 60 miles northeast of Des Moines. I played a little video poker (I "donated some money to poor Indians.." which is a polite way to say I lost!) and picked up some slot cards. Then last month, I made another trip through Illionois, Missouri and Iowa on a three day weekend for cards and gambling, and I made another swing through Des Moines and Tama on the way home. On that Sunday, I pulled into the parking lot at Meskwaki and saw a small handful of cars parked in front of the hotel, but practically no cars in front of the casino. I think to myself, "What the heck is going on?" As I pull up, I find a guy at a barricade who stops me and says, "The casino is closed and I am not allowed to tell you the reason why." (???!!!) Somewhat flabbergasted (and a little dissappointed) I asked, "How long has it been closed?" His reply was since a date in the middle of May! I breathed a sign of relief as I got back on the road ahead for my next stop in Dubuque, as I realised that I had stopped there in May just a week or so before the six-month shut-down. That was a close call.