OUR COUNTRY

The Indycar driver reminisces about nature and family in Muskoka, Ont.

Indycar driver James Hinchcliffe reminisces about nature and family in Muskoka, Ont., cottage country just north of Toronto

When I was growing up, my family had a cottage on Six Mile Lake in Ontario’s Muskoka region and we’d spend all of our summers there. I love being on the lake, out in the wilderness a bit. I got engaged in Muskoka, and got married there, too. It’s the most beautiful part of the country.

I think first and foremost of the lake. The water is smooth and clear and warm. It’s not too busy. There are cottages tucked into the woods and built up on rocks. There are some rapids at one end, and just sitting nearby and listening to the water is so peaceful. I feel so disconnected from the busyness of Toronto just an hour and a half away. It feels so removed and isolated. It‘s the greatest place to go and get away from it all.

I love going up there with my family and people close to me. I’m not going to say you have to rough it up there, but you’re a little more in touch with nature. It brings people together. Sitting around a fire at night is a great time to catch up and talk about things you don’t normally talk about. It’s a great place to reconnect with people.

Muskoka inspires me because it’s where I want to end up — it’s where I want to retire. I think about my life after the hectic world of motorsports, and it’s really there that I want to be. On the road, I’m hyper focused on work. It’s a 24/7 job and I‘m always worried about the next race or appearance. When I‘m up there, the world just sort of stops. I get to take a minute and catch my breath and be myself, let the relaxed version of me come out. I find a lot of happiness there.