A geeky summer fun list

Dear Readers: It's time for our annual geeky summer fun list. We've found everything from "free" to "crazy expensive" and lots of cool stuff in between. Here goes!

I have always thought it would be cool to walk on water. My nephew tried to walk on water once ... across a pool cover. It didn't work, but he survived!

Maybe we can all walk on water now with the Inflatable Walk on Water Matavailable from Hammacher Schlemmer (http://bit.ly/Ji7LZb) for the crazy expensive price of $999.95. The mat allows up to 6 people at not more than 1000 pounds total to literally walk on water (on the mat). The mat is 90 square feet of space, comes with a pump to inflate it, and folds up for easy carrying. I know the mat is a little or maybe a lot pricey, but it is cool and certainly will give its geeky owner bragging rights.

Next up is the Remote Controlled Rolling Beverage Cooleralso available from Hammacher Schlemmer (http://bit.ly/3fsjcD) for only $69.95. This is great for the geeks you know who may be too lazy or perhaps impaired by the cooler's contents to get up for another beverage. The cooler holds a twelve-pack and ice and has a 40-foot range from whoever holds the control. Let's hope that person is a very close friend and that the cooler makes its way to you!

What about a Fire Sense Notebook? Everyone needs a notebook! But wait, this notebook isn't a small computer; it's a foldable grill available from Amazon (http://amzn.to/JZyEyi) for $31.49. The grill weighs only eight pounds and folds up for easy carrying to only one inch thick. Grab some burgers and friends and head out for a fun summer picnic!

I lucked onto this next item quite by chance on one of my regular shopping outings to Wal-Mart. When I saw the Zap Master Handheld Electric Bug Zapper, knew it was a must-have item. The bug zapper looks like a small tennis racket, but don't let its innocent look fool you. It's a bug-killing machine! It's available from Walmart.com (http://bit.ly/JZzNWD) for only $6.97, and a bit cheaper than that at my local store. The bug zapper won't improve your tennis, but it surely is fun to see blue sparks and hear the zap when a bug makes contact. Maybe you can get some of your geeky friends to try it out on each other!

I'm not much of a believer of getting something for nothing, but I did promise you something free. For sure when you head out on the road for your summer travels, you will need gas, you will want to avoid traffic as much as possible, and you will certainly need to find a restroom at some point.

To help solve those problems, there are several free phone apps available for both iPhone and Android platforms. Up first is GasBuddyfor the iPhone. GasBuddy will show you gas stations near you on your travels and their price for gas. You can decide whether it's worth driving five miles to save a penny a gallon!

I absolutely HATE getting stuck in beach traffic. Luckily for me, there's an app for my Android phone named WAZE. WAZE uses the phone's GPS system to locate and suggest alternative routes with less traffic. WAZE users report traffic jams as they see them for real-time re-routing for themselves and other users.

I must have been pretty close to the remote controlled beverage cooler - I need a rest stop. My Android app, SitOrSquat,is just the thing. The app gives a listing of nearby rest areas, i.e., toilets, and offers ratings and reviews.

I hope those reviews aren't too graphic, I'll be ready for lunch soon. Thank goodness for my UrbanSpoonapp. It shows all local restaurants, their ratings, cuisines, and prices. If you're pretty open to suggestions, just enter the app and shake your phone. The app will suggest a restaurant for you.

So geeks, rise up and get out for some great fun this summer. Just remember your sunscreen and find an app to remind you when to re-apply!

When the PropellerHeads at Data Directions aren't busy with their IT projects, they love to answer questions on business or consumer technology. Email them to [email protected] or contact us at Data Directions Inc., 8510 Bell Creek Road, Mechanicsville, VA 23116. Visit our website at www.askthepropellerheads.com.