PainRoller, starting point noted/understood.
Re the overheating, I've never had to stop, the gauge will approach that angle/separation mark at about the 3/4 point, and will then start to go back down. Kind of cyclical. Driving around under normal conditions, including stop and go street traffic, it's stable at about the 1/3 point.
No worries about the start time, I understand. We'll plan to make it on time!