Many of us cannot even fathom the thought of living in an area where a disaster like this could happen.

On this day in 0079,

The residents of Pompeii, Herculaneum and Stabiae woke up this morning in 0079 and went about their normal chores. There was no reason for them to fear the mountain whose slopes they farmed. They lived in the shadow of Mt. Vesuvius, overlooking the Bay of Naples, Italy. But, about noon, without any warning, Mt. Vesuvius exploded. Vesuvius, the volcano, erupted, spewing stones and lava, burying Pompeii under 13 feet of ash, and covering Herculaneum and Stabiae with mud and debris.

I am so isolated from natural events across the gloe that the most ash I have seen is sitting in the ashtray when I finish a nice Drew Estate cigar.

I know I am an exception to the rule, but I don’t think my situation is much different than many other people.

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