I'm a bit past that also, in Cent, which is the last 130 area. I did a bit of a clean up before starting this arc, took care of some things I missed previously like a daughter, zealots, a Ragnar dreagr, and a legendary animal that I didn't do cuz my level was too low.
I try to follow the main story around the shire, if there's an area with like four things in a town, I'm probably going to go there for a mission so no need to sidetrack.
Probably a good idea. I know I cleared out a couple of forts to get a piece of armor or gear, only to realize that I couldn't possibly get them until a mission later on anyway.