As I write this, it's an uncharacteristically balmy 60 degrees during the last weekend of November on the Connecticut shoreline. It's partly sunny, and the roads are dry — the perfect Porsche driving day. Days like these are to be savored like Thanksgiving leftovers.

We're entering the season in which vintage Porsches are prepped for winter storage in the Northeast. I still have to purchase some aluminum foil to stuff in the tailpipe to prevent an unwanted rodent from making its seasonal home in my 1976 911S.

Yes, "Smoky" is gearing up for the long sleep, but only after the first snowflake drops will he enter hibernation.

The weather conditions are currently perfect for driving (unless you live in the Midwest). It's cool enough so overheating isn't a concern. The leaves have been mostly cleared from the roads, except for the occasional buildup in tight corners.

And Smoky loves chilly mornings. The colder it is, the better the engine sings, and there's less worry about the oil temperature spiking.

Long weekends are ideal for taking a half-day drive before the winter's frigid temperatures become the norm. If I'm lucky, the Japanese concept "mushin" — the state of no-mindedness — takes effect. I drive without consciously thinking about shifting gears or stepping on the gas pedal. My intuition takes over.

Smoky becomes an extension of self. That's the perfect Porsche driving day.

Another perfect Porsche driving day arrives in April, when the sand from the snowplows has been cleared off the roads, and I turn on Smoky's ignition for the first time since December. After a slight hesitation, he's ready to take off, just like a dog whose owner grabs a leash and says, "Want to go outside?" Hell, yes.

In spring, the scenery alone is worth the drive. Purple crocuses peek through gardens, and tiny tree buds appear by the hundreds. I eagerly take off Smoky's winter storage coat and drive — the destination not important.

Spring can be rainy, but Smoky's sunroof is watertight. It's not a problem to take a trip in wet weather as long as it's not torrential (the windshield wipers are a bit antiquated). We may go a little slower, but it's better to be mellow in a Porsche than not in one at all.

Summer is divine for driving as long as the temperature doesn't exceed 85 degrees. Car shows, Sunday breakfast outings and road trips in the bright sunshine beckon those who seek perfect conditions to drive classic cars. Nearly every dry summer day is the perfect Porsche driving day.

Then autumn arrives once again, the temperatures drop, and Smoky's lack of air conditioning becomes more bearable. It's great to roll down the windows, turn on the heat and drive into the sunset in the early evening. Another perfect Porsche driving day.

A Wednesday? The perfect Porsche driving day. A half-day from work? The perfect Porsche driving day.

OK, let's be honest, every day is the perfect Porsche driving day.