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The Photography of Karl Wertanen

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  2. Landscapes

The Elizabeth Park Project - Trenton Michigan

ELIZABETH PARK, TRENTON MICHIGAN
To residents of Trenton and the surrounding communities, Elizabeth Park is considered to be the "crown jewel" of the area. The parks historic bridges with all their character, it's waterfront, playgrounds and picnic areas have provided memories for generations. To me, it holds many memories as well, including some of the earliest i can remember. Many more memories were created as a kid growing up in the area including days in the park (and nights haha) with my soon to be wife, and later having some of our wedding pictures photographed here. For me, this is one of my favorite places to photograph. I think a lot of it has to do with the emotional connection that comes with growing up here and also the timeless character and charm the park has with it's old weathered bridges, waters and its old timey oak trees. If you ever get to visit the Trenton area or any of it's surrounding communities, I highly recommend stopping in to explore this park. I hope you enjoy these 2 pages of lines, arches, light, and color.

INFO AND HISTORY:
Elizabeth Park is a beautiful 162 acre park (formerly known as Slocum Island) set along the banks of the Detroit River in Trenton Michigan. It's an artificial island linked to the mainland by an automobile bridge and 3 old pedestrian bridges all built in the early 1920's. Other features of the park include 1300ft of river walk (great for an early morning sunrise), a marina, an old Victorian shelter building, walking and biking trails, a baseball field, skatepark, playground, splash park, numerous picnic areas and a nice wedding gazebo.

The park also has a rich history. The park and surrounding area were occupied by the Wyandot Native American tribe for several centuries before Europeans arrived and settled the area. The Wyandot settled the village of Maguagon along the banks of the Detroit River, which was the site of the minor Battle of Maguaga during the War of 1812. Maguagon became known as Truaxton in 1816, named for Abram Caleb Truax, who was a French Major who decided to stay in the area after the war. Truaxton was renamed to "Trenton" in 1847 and incorporated as a village in 1855.
Giles Bryan Slocum (1808–1884), an early businessman and landowner moved to Truaxton in 1834, purchased 3 miles of Truaxton's riverfront, and built his estate on what he called Slocum's Island (which was partially separated from the mainland by his own constructed canal). Slocum married Sophia Truax in 1838 (daughter of Abram Caleb Truax), and she inherited the estate when Abram passed in 1884. She continued to live on the Island with her daughter Elizabeth Nichols. Sophia Truax passed in 1912, and Elizabeth Nichols then inherited the island.
Elizabeth Nichols passed in 1919 leaving the island to her children who in turn donated the island to the Wayne County Park Trustees in October 1919 on the condition that the land be set aside as "Elizabeth Park" in honor of their mother. Elizabeth Park was the first of the Wayne County Parks. The Michigan Department of Transportation contributed financial support for the development of the park which improved the canal, built the bridges that connect the park to the mainland Trenton, and built the road that circles the park.
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  • #90 This is a special one. I have a friend that knows somebody who works for the county and she told me that she got word that demolition was going to begin the next morning on these bridges. So I packed up my gear and headed out to photograph them 1 last time. This shot was taken at midnight, may 6th 2013 on the morning this bridge was taken down. 8 hours later, the began demolition. *For information on purchasing prints and canvas gallery wraps, click the "Purchasing" tab at the top of the page. If viewing on your mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the page and click the "Full Site" tab to view as if you were on your home PC and then go to the "Purchase" tab to for purchasing info. In mobile mode, you will not see the standard navigation bar with the "Purchase" tab.

    #90 This is a special one. I have a friend that knows somebody who works for the county and she told me that she got word that demolition was going to begin the next morning on these bridges. So I packed up my gear and headed out to photograph them 1 last time. This shot was taken at midnight, may 6th 2013 on the morning this bridge was taken down. 8 hours later, the began demolition. *For information on purchasing prints and canvas gallery wraps, click the "Purchasing" tab at the top of the page. If viewing on your mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the page and click the "Full Site" tab to view as if you were on your home PC and then go to the "Purchase" tab to for purchasing info. In mobile mode, you will not see the standard navigation bar with the "Purchase" tab.

  • Illford PanF 50 B&W Film *For information on purchasing prints and canvas gallery wraps, click the "Purchasing" tab at the top of the page. If viewing on your mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the page and click the "Full Site" tab to view as if you were on your home PC and then go to the "Purchase" tab to for purchasing info. In mobile mode, you will not see the standard navigation bar with the "Purchase" tab.

    Illford PanF 50 B&W Film *For information on purchasing prints and canvas gallery wraps, click the "Purchasing" tab at the top of the page. If viewing on your mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the page and click the "Full Site" tab to view as if you were on your home PC and then go to the "Purchase" tab to for purchasing info. In mobile mode, you will not see the standard navigation bar with the "Purchase" tab.

  • #78 This is a 1.5 minute exposure of the 1st bridge around 10pm looking north with street lights of River Side Drive alumininating the falling snow. *For information on purchasing prints and canvas gallery wraps, click the "Purchasing" tab at the top of the page. If viewing on your mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the page and click the "Full Site" tab to view as if you were on your home PC and then go to the "Purchase" tab to for purchasing info. In mobile mode, you will not see the standard navigation bar with the "Purchase" tab.

    #78 This is a 1.5 minute exposure of the 1st bridge around 10pm looking north with street lights of River Side Drive alumininating the falling snow. *For information on purchasing prints and canvas gallery wraps, click the "Purchasing" tab at the top of the page. If viewing on your mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the page and click the "Full Site" tab to view as if you were on your home PC and then go to the "Purchase" tab to for purchasing info. In mobile mode, you will not see the standard navigation bar with the "Purchase" tab.

  • #41 This was a fun one. It was my first experiment with light painting. I set a 2 minute exposure and then shined the bridge and tips of grass with the flashlight. *For information on purchasing prints and canvas gallery wraps, click the "Purchasing" tab at the top of the page. If viewing on your mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the page and click the "Full Site" tab to view as if you were on your home PC and then go to the "Purchase" tab to for purchasing info. In mobile mode, you will not see the standard navigation bar with the "Purchase" tab.

    #41 This was a fun one. It was my first experiment with light painting. I set a 2 minute exposure and then shined the bridge and tips of grass with the flashlight. *For information on purchasing prints and canvas gallery wraps, click the "Purchasing" tab at the top of the page. If viewing on your mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the page and click the "Full Site" tab to view as if you were on your home PC and then go to the "Purchase" tab to for purchasing info. In mobile mode, you will not see the standard navigation bar with the "Purchase" tab.

  • #46 Looking south at the 1st bridge. *For information on purchasing prints and canvas gallery wraps, click the "Purchasing" tab at the top of the page. If viewing on your mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the page and click the "Full Site" tab to view as if you were on your home PC and then go to the "Purchase" tab to for purchasing info. In mobile mode, you will not see the standard navigation bar with the "Purchase" tab.

    #46 Looking south at the 1st bridge. *For information on purchasing prints and canvas gallery wraps, click the "Purchasing" tab at the top of the page. If viewing on your mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the page and click the "Full Site" tab to view as if you were on your home PC and then go to the "Purchase" tab to for purchasing info. In mobile mode, you will not see the standard navigation bar with the "Purchase" tab.

  • #183 *For information on purchasing prints and canvas gallery wraps, click the "Purchasing" tab at the top of the page. If viewing on your mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the page and click the "Full Site" tab to view as if you were on your home PC and then go to the "Purchase" tab to for purchasing info. In mobile mode, you will not see the standard navigation bar with the "Purchase" tab.

    #183 *For information on purchasing prints and canvas gallery wraps, click the "Purchasing" tab at the top of the page. If viewing on your mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the page and click the "Full Site" tab to view as if you were on your home PC and then go to the "Purchase" tab to for purchasing info. In mobile mode, you will not see the standard navigation bar with the "Purchase" tab.

  • *For information on purchasing prints and canvas gallery wraps, click the "Purchasing" tab at the top of the page. If viewing on your mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the page and click the "Full Site" tab to view as if you were on your home PC and then go to the "Purchase" tab to for purchasing info. In mobile mode, you will not see the standard navigation bar with the "Purchase" tab.

    *For information on purchasing prints and canvas gallery wraps, click the "Purchasing" tab at the top of the page. If viewing on your mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the page and click the "Full Site" tab to view as if you were on your home PC and then go to the "Purchase" tab to for purchasing info. In mobile mode, you will not see the standard navigation bar with the "Purchase" tab.

  • #80 This was an amazing early September morning. This was one of the first really chilly mornings we had where the cool morning air reacts with the still warm water of the Detroit river to create the rising fog you see appearing behind the park bench on the hill. This was taken just moments before the sun rose over the trees of Grosse Isle. There is nothing altered about this photograph. I simply metered for the sky and used a 200mm lens. Shot on Fujichrome Velvia 50 with no color alterations at all. Just a pure Elizabeth Park sunrise. *For information on purchasing prints and canvas gallery wraps, click the "Purchasing" tab at the top of the page. If viewing on your mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the page and click the "Full Site" tab to view as if you were on your home PC and then go to the "Purchase" tab to for purchasing info. In mobile mode, you will not see the standard navigation bar with the "Purchase" tab.

    #80 This was an amazing early September morning. This was one of the first really chilly mornings we had where the cool morning air reacts with the still warm water of the Detroit river to create the rising fog you see appearing behind the park bench on the hill. This was taken just moments before the sun rose over the trees of Grosse Isle. There is nothing altered about this photograph. I simply metered for the sky and used a 200mm lens. Shot on Fujichrome Velvia 50 with no color alterations at all. Just a pure Elizabeth Park sunrise. *For information on purchasing prints and canvas gallery wraps, click the "Purchasing" tab at the top of the page. If viewing on your mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the page and click the "Full Site" tab to view as if you were on your home PC and then go to the "Purchase" tab to for purchasing info. In mobile mode, you will not see the standard navigation bar with the "Purchase" tab.

  • Looking south at the first bridge. *For information on purchasing prints and canvas gallery wraps, click the "Purchasing" tab at the top of the page. If viewing on your mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the page and click the "Full Site" tab to view as if you were on your home PC and then go to the "Purchase" tab to for purchasing info. In mobile mode, you will not see the standard navigation bar with the "Purchase" tab.

    Looking south at the first bridge. *For information on purchasing prints and canvas gallery wraps, click the "Purchasing" tab at the top of the page. If viewing on your mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the page and click the "Full Site" tab to view as if you were on your home PC and then go to the "Purchase" tab to for purchasing info. In mobile mode, you will not see the standard navigation bar with the "Purchase" tab.

  • The entrance to Elizabeth Park lit by the moon and a street lamp. This is a view looking into the park over the bridge that allows passenger cars to enter. Just follow the moon. *For information on purchasing prints and canvas gallery wraps, click the "Purchasing" tab at the top of the page. If viewing on your mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the page and click the "Full Site" tab to view as if you were on your home PC and then go to the "Purchase" tab to for purchasing info. In mobile mode, you will not see the standard navigation bar with the "Purchase" tab.

    The entrance to Elizabeth Park lit by the moon and a street lamp. This is a view looking into the park over the bridge that allows passenger cars to enter. Just follow the moon. *For information on purchasing prints and canvas gallery wraps, click the "Purchasing" tab at the top of the page. If viewing on your mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the page and click the "Full Site" tab to view as if you were on your home PC and then go to the "Purchase" tab to for purchasing info. In mobile mode, you will not see the standard navigation bar with the "Purchase" tab.

  • #43 2012 *For information on purchasing prints and canvas gallery wraps, click the "Purchasing" tab at the top of the page. If viewing on your mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the page and click the "Full Site" tab to view as if you were on your home PC and then go to the "Purchase" tab to for purchasing info. In mobile mode, you will not see the standard navigation bar with the "Purchase" tab.

    #43 2012 *For information on purchasing prints and canvas gallery wraps, click the "Purchasing" tab at the top of the page. If viewing on your mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the page and click the "Full Site" tab to view as if you were on your home PC and then go to the "Purchase" tab to for purchasing info. In mobile mode, you will not see the standard navigation bar with the "Purchase" tab.

  • #61 Looking east through grasses in the flower boxes on the east side of the car bridge after a light snow (1996). *For information on purchasing prints and canvas gallery wraps, click the "Purchasing" tab at the top of the page. If viewing on your mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the page and click the "Full Site" tab to view as if you were on your home PC and then go to the "Purchase" tab to for purchasing info. In mobile mode, you will not see the standard navigation bar with the "Purchase" tab.

    #61 Looking east through grasses in the flower boxes on the east side of the car bridge after a light snow (1996). *For information on purchasing prints and canvas gallery wraps, click the "Purchasing" tab at the top of the page. If viewing on your mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the page and click the "Full Site" tab to view as if you were on your home PC and then go to the "Purchase" tab to for purchasing info. In mobile mode, you will not see the standard navigation bar with the "Purchase" tab.

  • #77 This is one of my favorites also. The lights from the boardwalk along the Detroit River are aluminating the falling snow in turn silhouetting oak trees. 1.5 min exposure around 10pm. *For information on purchasing prints and canvas gallery wraps, click the "Purchasing" tab at the top of the page. If viewing on your mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the page and click the "Full Site" tab to view as if you were on your home PC and then go to the "Purchase" tab to for purchasing info. In mobile mode, you will not see the standard navigation bar with the "Purchase" tab.

    #77 This is one of my favorites also. The lights from the boardwalk along the Detroit River are aluminating the falling snow in turn silhouetting oak trees. 1.5 min exposure around 10pm. *For information on purchasing prints and canvas gallery wraps, click the "Purchasing" tab at the top of the page. If viewing on your mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the page and click the "Full Site" tab to view as if you were on your home PC and then go to the "Purchase" tab to for purchasing info. In mobile mode, you will not see the standard navigation bar with the "Purchase" tab.

  • #182 The freshly restored shelter building. It's now being leased for special events. *For information on purchasing prints and canvas gallery wraps, click the "Purchasing" tab at the top of the page. If viewing on your mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the page and click the "Full Site" tab to view as if you were on your home PC and then go to the "Purchase" tab to for purchasing info. In mobile mode, you will not see the standard navigation bar with the "Purchase" tab.

    #182 The freshly restored shelter building. It's now being leased for special events. *For information on purchasing prints and canvas gallery wraps, click the "Purchasing" tab at the top of the page. If viewing on your mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the page and click the "Full Site" tab to view as if you were on your home PC and then go to the "Purchase" tab to for purchasing info. In mobile mode, you will not see the standard navigation bar with the "Purchase" tab.

  • #49 Looking north at the 1st bridge. *For information on purchasing prints and canvas gallery wraps, click the "Purchasing" tab at the top of the page. If viewing on your mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the page and click the "Full Site" tab to view as if you were on your home PC and then go to the "Purchase" tab to for purchasing info. In mobile mode, you will not see the standard navigation bar with the "Purchase" tab.

    #49 Looking north at the 1st bridge. *For information on purchasing prints and canvas gallery wraps, click the "Purchasing" tab at the top of the page. If viewing on your mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the page and click the "Full Site" tab to view as if you were on your home PC and then go to the "Purchase" tab to for purchasing info. In mobile mode, you will not see the standard navigation bar with the "Purchase" tab.

  • #54 Looking into the park from River Side Drive around 10pm during a fresh coating of snow. *For information on purchasing prints and canvas gallery wraps, click the "Purchasing" tab at the top of the page. If viewing on your mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the page and click the "Full Site" tab to view as if you were on your home PC and then go to the "Purchase" tab to for purchasing info. In mobile mode, you will not see the standard navigation bar with the "Purchase" tab.

    #54 Looking into the park from River Side Drive around 10pm during a fresh coating of snow. *For information on purchasing prints and canvas gallery wraps, click the "Purchasing" tab at the top of the page. If viewing on your mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the page and click the "Full Site" tab to view as if you were on your home PC and then go to the "Purchase" tab to for purchasing info. In mobile mode, you will not see the standard navigation bar with the "Purchase" tab.

  • #51 2012 *For information on purchasing prints and canvas gallery wraps, click the "Purchasing" tab at the top of the page. If viewing on your mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the page and click the "Full Site" tab to view as if you were on your home PC and then go to the "Purchase" tab to for purchasing info. In mobile mode, you will not see the standard navigation bar with the "Purchase" tab.

    #51 2012 *For information on purchasing prints and canvas gallery wraps, click the "Purchasing" tab at the top of the page. If viewing on your mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the page and click the "Full Site" tab to view as if you were on your home PC and then go to the "Purchase" tab to for purchasing info. In mobile mode, you will not see the standard navigation bar with the "Purchase" tab.

  • #57 This was taken from the car bridge looking east towards the 1st bridge about 40 minutes before the sun rose over the horizon. I was fortuante enough to capture the moon. *For information on purchasing prints and canvas gallery wraps, click the "Purchasing" tab at the top of the page. If viewing on your mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the page and click the "Full Site" tab to view as if you were on your home PC and then go to the "Purchase" tab to for purchasing info. In mobile mode, you will not see the standard navigation bar with the "Purchase" tab.

    #57 This was taken from the car bridge looking east towards the 1st bridge about 40 minutes before the sun rose over the horizon. I was fortuante enough to capture the moon. *For information on purchasing prints and canvas gallery wraps, click the "Purchasing" tab at the top of the page. If viewing on your mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the page and click the "Full Site" tab to view as if you were on your home PC and then go to the "Purchase" tab to for purchasing info. In mobile mode, you will not see the standard navigation bar with the "Purchase" tab.

  • #63 This is one of my favorites. I wanted to use a small f-stop to create a blurred bridge and cold, brown winter mood. This one looks FANTASTIC on a canvas print. *For information on purchasing prints and canvas gallery wraps, click the "Purchasing" tab at the top of the page. If viewing on your mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the page and click the "Full Site" tab to view as if you were on your home PC and then go to the "Purchase" tab to for purchasing info. In mobile mode, you will not see the standard navigation bar with the "Purchase" tab.

    #63 This is one of my favorites. I wanted to use a small f-stop to create a blurred bridge and cold, brown winter mood. This one looks FANTASTIC on a canvas print. *For information on purchasing prints and canvas gallery wraps, click the "Purchasing" tab at the top of the page. If viewing on your mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the page and click the "Full Site" tab to view as if you were on your home PC and then go to the "Purchase" tab to for purchasing info. In mobile mode, you will not see the standard navigation bar with the "Purchase" tab.

  • #55 2012 *For information on purchasing prints and canvas gallery wraps, click the "Purchasing" tab at the top of the page. If viewing on your mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the page and click the "Full Site" tab to view as if you were on your home PC and then go to the "Purchase" tab to for purchasing info. In mobile mode, you will not see the standard navigation bar with the "Purchase" tab.

    #55 2012 *For information on purchasing prints and canvas gallery wraps, click the "Purchasing" tab at the top of the page. If viewing on your mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the page and click the "Full Site" tab to view as if you were on your home PC and then go to the "Purchase" tab to for purchasing info. In mobile mode, you will not see the standard navigation bar with the "Purchase" tab.

  • #59 The early morning light through the canal around the 1st bridge is always something to see in the summer. Depending on the humidity and the clouds in the morning sky, the sun paints the trees, bushes, water and bridge with some of the most amazing light you'll ever see. The 1st of the 3 bridges. *For information on purchasing prints and canvas gallery wraps, click the "Purchasing" tab at the top of the page. If viewing on your mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the page and click the "Full Site" tab to view as if you were on your home PC and then go to the "Purchase" tab to for purchasing info. In mobile mode, you will not see the standard navigation bar with the "Purchase" tab.

    #59 The early morning light through the canal around the 1st bridge is always something to see in the summer. Depending on the humidity and the clouds in the morning sky, the sun paints the trees, bushes, water and bridge with some of the most amazing light you'll ever see. The 1st of the 3 bridges. *For information on purchasing prints and canvas gallery wraps, click the "Purchasing" tab at the top of the page. If viewing on your mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the page and click the "Full Site" tab to view as if you were on your home PC and then go to the "Purchase" tab to for purchasing info. In mobile mode, you will not see the standard navigation bar with the "Purchase" tab.

  • #52 2011 *For information on purchasing prints and canvas gallery wraps, click the "Purchasing" tab at the top of the page. If viewing on your mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the page and click the "Full Site" tab to view as if you were on your home PC and then go to the "Purchase" tab to for purchasing info. In mobile mode, you will not see the standard navigation bar with the "Purchase" tab.

    #52 2011 *For information on purchasing prints and canvas gallery wraps, click the "Purchasing" tab at the top of the page. If viewing on your mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the page and click the "Full Site" tab to view as if you were on your home PC and then go to the "Purchase" tab to for purchasing info. In mobile mode, you will not see the standard navigation bar with the "Purchase" tab.

  • *For information on purchasing prints and canvas gallery wraps, click the "Purchasing" tab at the top of the page. If viewing on your mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the page and click the "Full Site" tab to view as if you were on your home PC and then go to the "Purchase" tab to for purchasing info. In mobile mode, you will not see the standard navigation bar with the "Purchase" tab.

    *For information on purchasing prints and canvas gallery wraps, click the "Purchasing" tab at the top of the page. If viewing on your mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the page and click the "Full Site" tab to view as if you were on your home PC and then go to the "Purchase" tab to for purchasing info. In mobile mode, you will not see the standard navigation bar with the "Purchase" tab.

  • #56 2011 *For information on purchasing prints and canvas gallery wraps, click the "Purchasing" tab at the top of the page. If viewing on your mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the page and click the "Full Site" tab to view as if you were on your home PC and then go to the "Purchase" tab to for purchasing info. In mobile mode, you will not see the standard navigation bar with the "Purchase" tab.

    #56 2011 *For information on purchasing prints and canvas gallery wraps, click the "Purchasing" tab at the top of the page. If viewing on your mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the page and click the "Full Site" tab to view as if you were on your home PC and then go to the "Purchase" tab to for purchasing info. In mobile mode, you will not see the standard navigation bar with the "Purchase" tab.

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    #77 This is one of my favorites also. The lights from the boardwalk along the Detroit River are aluminating the falling snow in turn silhouetting oak trees. 1.5 min exposure around 10pm. *For information on purchasing prints and canvas gallery wraps, click the "Purchasing" tab at the top of the page. If viewing on your mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the page and click the "Full Site" tab to view as if you were on your home PC and then go to the "Purchase" tab to for purchasing info. In mobile mode, you will not see the standard navigation bar with the "Purchase" tab.
    #57 This was taken from the car bridge looking east towards the 1st bridge about 40 minutes before the sun rose over the horizon. I was fortuante enough to capture the moon. *For information on purchasing prints and canvas gallery wraps, click the "Purchasing" tab at the top of the page. If viewing on your mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the page and click the "Full Site" tab to view as if you were on your home PC and then go to the "Purchase" tab to for purchasing info. In mobile mode, you will not see the standard navigation bar with the "Purchase" tab.
    *For information on purchasing prints and canvas gallery wraps, click the "Purchasing" tab at the top of the page. If viewing on your mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the page and click the "Full Site" tab to view as if you were on your home PC and then go to the "Purchase" tab to for purchasing info. In mobile mode, you will not see the standard navigation bar with the "Purchase" tab.