Dodge: engine temperature control, temperature gauge, temperature switch

Question
Ram Man,
I have a 1994 Shadow ES 3.0L that has about 75K miles on her.  While driving from SC to VA about a week ago, I noticed the temperature climbing.  I was doing about 70 with the AC on with an outside temperature of close to 90.  The temperature gauge has just the low temp, high temp and two marks in between.  It seems to normally be hanging out at the first mark, but that day it was up slightly past the second mark on its way to the high temp.  The engine light never came on and the car never "overheated".  I turned off the AC and the temperature very slowly came back down to the first tick mark.  When I got to VA I replaced the thermostat thinking that that was the problem.  Well, the temperature still goes up on the car and the fan seems to kick on at the second tick mark.  Is this normal, or is the electric fan temperature switch not working properly?  If you need any other information please let me know.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Tim

Answer
Tim,
If the temperature is at the first mark i wouldn't worry too much about it.The hot temperatures outside do have an effect on the way a car runs.If you changed the thermostat,look in the radiator for any buildup inside the radiator,if it has any buildup have it rodded out.Also check the cap or replace it.These small things could also have an effect on it.