Nestled in the Sequoia National Forest, the Kern River Valley is part of the Southern Sierra Mountains and it is here that you will find the City of Bodfish. One of a dozen small communities surrounding Lake Isabella and on the bank of the mighty Kern River, Bodfish is a mere 8 square miles and home to a little over 1,600 people. George H. Bodfish came to the Kern River area in the late 1850's to set up a Gold Stamp Mill. After his mill was destroyed, he moved to a canyon area which became known as Bodfish Canyon. Bodfish is country living with ranches dotting the beautiful low mountains. It is here that Matthew Lanza and his then wife decided to make their home in their senior years. Some years later, after they divorced, Matt moved to Lake Isabella where he spends his time attending Church, local Bible study classes, attending used book sales, helping those in need, running errands for the elderly and/or handicapped, repairing small appliances for neighbors, buying other peoples discarded items at local thrift shops and he especially enjoys special intimate time with church friends.