diff --git a/turtle.lua b/turtle.lua
index c9f2822..398e071 100644
--- a/turtle.lua
+++ b/turtle.lua
@@ -673,48 +673,55 @@ local function exploreStep()
     
     -- 75% of the time: horizontal exploration (forward movement + turns)
     if r < 75 then
-        -- Try to move forward
-        if not hasBlockForward or not forwardVisited then
+        -- Try to move forward if unvisited
+        if not forwardVisited then
             if hasBlockForward then
                 smartDig("forward")
             end
             if smartForward() then
-                -- Successfully moved forward
                 return
             end
         end
         
-        -- If forward is blocked or visited, try turning to find unvisited direction
-        if forwardVisited or hasBlockForward then
-            local turnAttempts = 0
-            local bestDirection = nil
-            
-            -- Check all 4 directions to find best unvisited one
-            for i = 1, 4 do
-                if state.position then
-                    local testPos = {x = state.position.x, y = state.position.y, z = state.position.z}
-                    if facing == 0 then testPos.z = testPos.z - 1
-                    elseif facing == 1 then testPos.x = testPos.x + 1
-                    elseif facing == 2 then testPos.z = testPos.z + 1
-                    elseif facing == 3 then testPos.x = testPos.x - 1
-                    end
-                    
-                    if not hasVisited(testPos) then
-                        -- Found unvisited direction!
-                        if not turtle.inspect() then
-                            smartForward()
-                            return
-                        end
-                    end
+        -- If forward is visited, try to find an unvisited direction
+        local foundUnvisited = false
+        for i = 1, 4 do
+            if state.position then
+                local testPos = {x = state.position.x, y = state.position.y, z = state.position.z}
+                if facing == 0 then testPos.z = testPos.z - 1
+                elseif facing == 1 then testPos.x = testPos.x + 1
+                elseif facing == 2 then testPos.z = testPos.z + 1
+                elseif facing == 3 then testPos.x = testPos.x - 1
                 end
                 
-                -- Turn and check next direction
-                smartTurnRight()
+                if not hasVisited(testPos) then
+                    -- Found unvisited direction!
+                    local hasBlock = turtle.inspect()
+                    if hasBlock then
+                        smartDig("forward")
+                    end
+                    if smartForward() then
+                        foundUnvisited = true
+                        return
+                    end
+                end
             end
             
-            -- All directions visited, just pick one and go
-            smartDig("forward")
-            smartForward()
+            -- Only turn if we haven't found a direction yet
+            if i < 4 then
+                smartTurnRight()
+            end
+        end
+        
+        -- If all directions visited, just move forward anyway (dig if needed)
+        if not foundUnvisited then
+            if hasBlockForward then
+                smartDig("forward")
+            end
+            if not smartForward() then
+                -- Can't move forward at all, turn once and try again next step
+                smartTurnRight()
+            end
         end
     
     -- 15% down (only if safe and not too deep)